Sequential Prophet X - Modulation Techniques; Creating a Stereo Tremolo Effect with an LFO; Creating Movement with Pulse-Width Modulation

94 95Modulation Techniques
Sequential Prophet X User’s Guide
Modulation Techniques
Modulation Techniques
There are endless ways to use modulation to enhance a sound. The
modulation matrix has 16 freely assignable modulation paths (mod slots
1-16) with 28 modulation sources, 88 destinations, and 11 dedicated mod
sources including the Mod Wheel, Pressure (aftertouch), Breath Control-
ler, Velocity, and more.
Here are a few useful techniques that you can apply to many sounds. The
rst uses the LFOs.
Creating a Stereo Tremolo Effect with an LFO
You can create a stereo tremolo effect by modulating pan with the LFO.
First, set up a simple electric piano sound.
To create a simple electric piano sound:
1. Recall the Basic Program and set Oscillator 1 shape to pulse.
2. Set lter cutoff to 0 and lter env amount to 71.
3. Set lter envelope attack to 0, decay to 90, sustain to 22, and release
to 40.
To create a stereo tremolo effect:
1. In the lfo section, select lfo 2 and set its shape to the triangle wave.
2. With the LFO 2 parameters shown in the main display, press Soft
Button 3 to select the lfo dest menu tab, then select pan with Soft
Knob 1.
3. Set LFO 2 frequency to 80 to set the speed of the tremolo.
4. Set the LFO amount to 90 to control the intensity of the tremolo (its
width in the stereo eld as it pans from left to right).
5. Play some chords. Simple electric piano with stereo tremolo!
Creating Movement with Pulse-Width Modulation
Another essential technique is to use an LFO to modulate the pulse-
width of the oscillator waveforms. This adds a great deal of movement
and thickness and has long been used to create string pads.
First, set up a simple square-wave sound.
To create a basic string sound:
1. Recall the Basic Program. (See previous examples if necessary.)
2. In the Mixer, turn up Oscillator 2 to 127. (Osc 1 is already at 127.)
3. In the oscillators section, set both oscillators to pulse.
4. Set slop 1&2 to 15 to add a little analog-type oscillator drift.
5. Display the Mixer parameters (turn either of the oscillator level knobs)
then press Soft Button 2 to select panning and set osc1 pan to -40L and
osc2 pan to 40R for a nice stereo spread.
6. Set lter cutoff to 117 and lter resonance to 20.
7. Set lter envelope attack to 11, decay to 60, sustain to 22, and release
to 50. Set lter env amount to 0.
8. Set amplier envelope attack to 87, decay to 60, sustain to 127, and
release to 50.
To add pulse-width modulation:
1. In the lfo section, select lfo 2 and set its shape to the triangle wave.
2. With the LFO 2 parameters shown in the main display, press Soft
Button 3 to select the lfo dest menu tab, then select osc1 shape with
Soft Knob 1.
3. Set LFO 2 frequency to 70 to set the speed of the pulse-width modula-
tion (osc1 shape modulation).
4. Set the LFO 2 amount to 65 to control the intensity of the pulse-width
modulation.
5. Now set separate pulse-width modulation for oscillator 2 for a more
random, organic feel: In the lfo section, select lfo 3 and set its shape to
the triangle wave.