Mixer / Noise Generator / Ring Modulator
Mixer
To extend the range of sounds that may be reproduced, a typical analogue synthesizer often
has more than one oscillator. By using more than one oscillator when creating a sound, it
possible to achieve very interesting harmonic mixes. It is also possible to slightly detune
individual oscillators against each other which creates a very warm ‘fat’ sound. The V-Station
has three independent oscillators which can be mixed.
For flexibility, a mixer section is usually included so that the level of each of the oscillators may
be adjusted independently and mixed together to form a harmonically complex waveform.
However, as well as mixing together the individual oscillators, the V-Station’s mixer also allows
you to adjust the relative volume levels of a Noise Generator and a Ring Modulator:
Oscillator 1
Oscillator 2
Oscillator 3
Mixer
Noise
Ring Mod
The Noise Generator produces an unpitched sound suitable for drums sounds, sound effects,
etc..
The Ring Modulator is a device that takes two inputs and produces sum and difference
frequencies at the output. For example:
INPUT A: 500Hz
INPUT B: 750Hz
OUTPUT: 1.25kHz (1,250Hz - the sum) and 250Hz (the difference)
Typically, these sum and difference frequencies will be ‘enharmonic’ (i.e. not harmonically
related to the frequencies presented at Inputs A and B) resulting in clangy, metallic, bell-like
sounds.
The Ring Modulator also has a use as an octave divider. For example:
INPUT A: 440Hz (Concert A)
INPUT B: 880Hz (An octave up)
OUTPUT: 1.76kHz (1,760Hz - the sum a further octave up)
In this way, you can coax another octave out of the oscillators for a bigger sound.
The Ring Modulator on the V-Station always takes Oscillators 1 and 2 as its input sources as
shown in the diagram above.
13 Synthesis Tutorial
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