SYNC Button
This function provides a way of producing interesting, piercing, metallic
sounds. It does this by using the frequency of Oscillator 1 to periodically
restart the waveform used by Oscillator 2. This technique is known as
Oscillator Sync. Set this to ON to activate Sync.
It should be remembered that the frequency of a waveform corresponds
to the number of waveform peaks (cycles) over a given period of time.
The frequency also determines the Oscillator’s pitch.
Therefore if Oscillators 1 and 2 are detuned from each other, Oscillator
2’s waveform will be periodically interrupted and started again from the
beginning of the waveform cycle every time Oscillator 1’s waveform
begins a new cycle.
The diagram below illustrates this.
It can be seen that the resulting synced waveform has subsequently
been modified into a different shape. Altering a waveform’s shape in
this way introduces new harmonics into the sound which gives the
resulting waveform its distinctive synced sound qualities.
It should be realised that the greater the difference in tuning between
the Oscillator waveforms, the more pronounced the sync effect will
become, since more drastic changes will be made to the final synced
waveform. Changing the pitch of one of the Oscillators during the dura-
tion of a note (for example, modulated by an LFO) will add a dynamic
quality to the synced sound.
Other functions associated with the Oscillators and Mixer can be found
in the Oscillators and Mixer Menus. See Pages 19 &21.
The Filter Section
The Filter can be used as a Low Pass, High Pass or Band Pass type.
FREQUENCY Knob
This controls the basic Cut off frequency of the Filter. The Low Pass
type of Filter is the most common type of Filter found on classic ana-
logue synthesizers and is musically the most useful, especially for bass
sounds. As the FREQUENCY knob is adjusted anticlockwise, harmon-
ics are gradually removed from the sound. When almost closed, only
the fundamental frequency remains. Fully closed and no sound at all
passes.
With the High Pass Filter type, as the FREQUENCY knob is adjusted
clockwise, harmonics are gradually removed from the sound. When
almost fully anticlockwise, only the fundamental frequency remains.
When Fully clockwise and no sound at all passes.
With the Band Pass Filter type, a narrow band of frequencies are
passed, centered on the position of the FREQUENCY knob. This kind
of Filter is useful when it is desired to pass only a small range of specif-
ic frequencies present in a sound.
RESONANCE Knob
This knob controls the Resonance of the Filter. The control will boost
frequencies at the Cut off frequency. On on some synthesizers, this
control is known as Emphasis since it will emphasize certain frequen-
cies. At the zero position there is no effect. Turning clockwise slowly
introduces the emphasis.
Set fully clockwise, the Filter will begin to self - oscillate, producing a
new pitched element (similar to feedback on an electric guitar).
Note : At least a small signal must be fed into the Filter in order for the
resonance to take effect. It is not possible for the filter to self - oscillate
if no signal at all is fed into it.
If the KS Synth produces a high pitched whistling sound, it is probably
due to this knob is being adjusted too far clockwise. If this self-oscillat-
ing effect is not desired, keep the Resonance control away from the
extreme clockwise setting. Increasing the Resonance is very good for
bringing out modulation (movement or change) in the filter Cut off fre-
quency, such as in Acid bass lines and other very edgy sounds.
KEY TRACK Knob
This controls the amount of change to the filter Cut off (set by the FRE-
QUENCY knob) by the pitch of the note played. When the knob is
turned fully anticlockwise, there is no change to the filter Cut off fre-
quency. With clockwise movement there will be an increasing amount of
modulation. The filter will be opened more as higher notes are played
on the keyboard. This control is used to define how the timbre of a
sound changes over the keyboard.
At the fully clockwise position, the filter tracks the pitch changes in a 1
to 1 ratio. This means that with RESONANCE set to a high level, the
pitch of the Filter’s self - oscillation will increase in semitone steps as
notes are played on the keyboard. This effect is akin to adding an extra
(Sine Wave) Oscillator to the sound when notes are played on the key-
board.
THE KS SYNTHESIZER
The Filter Section
• 40 •
Oscillator 1
Oscillator 2
Synced waveform
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