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3 AMP ENVELOPE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

3.1 Description
3.2 List of parameters
3.3 Instructions

3.1 Description

The MOTOR Synth features 3 groups of envelopes:

AMP ENVELOPES
FILTER ENVELOPES
MOD ENVELOPES

All of these envelopes have very similar functionality and share the same settings. The only difference is that each group modulates a different parameter and is accessed differently from the front panel. Therefore, this guide will focus on providing a detailed description of the AMP ENVELOPE, while the FILTER and MODULATION sections will refer back to this section of the manual.

Each motor has its own independent digitally controlled analog AMP ENVELOPE. This is a fundamental tool for shaping tone, as it determines the dynamic behavior of each note over time. The AMP ENVELOPES are controlled in voice groups; all four AMP ENVELOPES of one MOTOR VOICE share the same settings, but are triggered independently. You can fully configure the AMP ENVELOPES with several envelope types, per-stage and master curve parameters, reset and velocity parameters.

Note: Due to the semi-polyphonic architecture of the MOTOR Synth, the amplifiers are positioned before the mixer and filter in the signal chain. Additionally, there is another amplifier after the filter to enable dynamic performances when it is self-resonating. This additional amplifier is controlled by the root mean square of all four AMP ENVELOPES. In other words, even if the filter is self-resonating, it will not be heard while none of the AMP ENVELOPES of the given voice are triggered.

3.2 List of parameters

The AMP ENVELOPE is controlled with one AMP ENV / CURVE encoder for each MOTOR VOICE. Additional parameters in the AMP ENVELOPE SCREEN are controlled with the ▷ LEFT & ◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODERS. To access the AMP ENVELOPE SCREEN, push the AMP ENV encoder and toggle between different envelope stages.

PARAMETER	CONTROL	DESCRIPTION	VALUE RANGE
Attack [A]	AMP ENV encoder; Push to jump to the parameter; Turn to change the parameter.	The attack stage length in seconds	From 0.000 to 20.000
Decay [D]	AMP ENV encoder; Push to jump to the parameter; Turn to change the parameter.	The decay stage length in seconds	From 0.00 to 20.00
Sustain [S]	AMP ENV encoder; Push to jumop to the parameter; Turn to change the parameter.	The sustain stage level	From 0.00 to 1.00
Release [R]	AMP ENV encoder; Push to jumop to the parameter; Turn to change the parameter.	The release stage length in seconds	From 0.00 to 20.00
Delay [D]	AMP ENV encoder; Push to jump to the parameter; Turn to change the parameter.	The delay stage time in seconds (available only when the DADSR envelope type is selected)	From 0.000 to 5.000
Hold [H]	AMP ENV encoder; Push to jump to the parameter; Turn to change the parameter.	The hold stage time in seconds (available only when the ADSHR envelope type is selected)	From 0.00 to 5.00
Stage curve [C]	Push ALT + AMP ENV / CURVE encoder	The curve of the selected envelope stage	From 1.00 (exponential) through 0.00 (linear) to 1.00 (inverse exponential)
Breakpoint [B]	Push ALT + AMP ENV / CURVE encoder	The break level - a hidden parameter in the ADSR, DADSR and ADSHR envelope types	From -1.00 to 1.00
Time [T]	Push ALT + AMP ENV / CURVE encoder	The time stage length in seconds - a hidden parameter in the ADSR, DADSR and ADSHR envelope types	From 0.00 to - 20.00
Master curve [M CRV]	▷ LEFT SCREEN ENCODER	The master curve. Functions as an offset to the individual Stage curve [C] parameter.	From 1.00 (exponential) through 0.00 (linear) to 1.00 (inverse exponential)
Envelope type [TYPE]	◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODER	The envelope type selection	“ADSR” “AD” “AR” “DADSR” “ADSHR” “AD LOOP” “ADS”
Reset [RST]	◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODER	The reset setting that determines how the AMP ENVELOPE retrigger acts, when the envelope polyphony slots are filled up.	“OFF” - when the envelope is retriggered, the attack stage starts at current envelope level; “GATE” - when the envelope is retriggered it also reset and the attack stage starts from the zero level.
Velocity [VEL]	◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODER	The velocity parameter determines the envelope’s amplitude response to midi input note velocity.	From -1 (inverted sensitivity) Through - 0 (no sensitivity) To 1 (full sensitivity)

PARAMETER	CONTROL	DESCRIPTION	VALUE RANGE
Attack [A]	AMP ENV encoder; Push to jump to the parameter; Turn to change the parameter.	The attack stage length in seconds	From 0.000 to 20.000
Decay [D]	AMP ENV encoder; Push to jump to the parameter; Turn to change the parameter.	The decay stage length in seconds	From 0.00 to 20.00
Sustain [S]	AMP ENV encoder; Push to jumop to the parameter; Turn to change the parameter.	The sustain stage level	From 0.00 to 1.00
Release [R]	AMP ENV encoder; Push to jumop to the parameter; Turn to change the parameter.	The release stage length in seconds	From 0.00 to 20.00
Delay [D]	AMP ENV encoder; Push to jump to the parameter; Turn to change the parameter.	The delay stage time in seconds (available only when the DADSR envelope type is selected)	From 0.000 to 5.000
Hold [H]	AMP ENV encoder; Push to jump to the parameter; Turn to change the parameter.	The hold stage time in seconds (available only when the ADSHR envelope type is selected)	From 0.00 to 5.00
Stage curve [C]	Push ALT + AMP ENV / CURVE encoder	The curve of the selected envelope stage	From 1.00 (exponential) through 0.00 (linear) to 1.00 (inverse exponential)
Breakpoint [B]	Push ALT + AMP ENV / CURVE encoder	The break level - a hidden parameter in the ADSR, DADSR and ADSHR envelope types	From -1.00 to 1.00
Time [T]	Push ALT + AMP ENV / CURVE encoder	The time stage length in seconds - a hidden parameter in the ADSR, DADSR and ADSHR envelope types	From 0.00 to - 20.00
Master curve [M CRV]	▷ LEFT SCREEN ENCODER	The master curve. Functions as an offset to the individual Stage curve [C] parameter.	From 1.00 (exponential) through 0.00 (linear) to 1.00 (inverse exponential)
Envelope type [TYPE]	◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODER	The envelope type selection	“ADSR” “AD” “AR” “DADSR” “ADSHR” “AD LOOP” “ADS”
Reset [RST]	◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODER	The reset setting that determines how the AMP ENVELOPE retrigger acts, when the envelope polyphony slots are filled up.	“OFF” - when the envelope is retriggered, the attack stage starts at current envelope level; “GATE” - when the envelope is retriggered it also reset and the attack stage starts from the zero level.
Velocity [VEL]	◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODER	The velocity parameter determines the envelope’s amplitude response to midi input note velocity.	From -1 (inverted sensitivity) Through - 0 (no sensitivity) To 1 (full sensitivity)

ATTACK [A]

DECAY [D]

SUSTAIN [S]

RELEASE [R]

DELAY [D]

HOLD [H]

STAGE CURVE [C]

BREAKPOINT [B]

TIME [T]

MASTER CURVE [M CRV]

ENVELOPE TYPE [TYPE]

RESET [RST]

VELOCITY [VEL]

ATTACK [A]

PARAMETER	CONTROL	DESCRIPTION	VALUE RANGE
Attack [A]		AMP ENV encoder; Push to jump to the parameter; Turn to change the parameter		The attack stage length in seconds		From 0.000 to 20.000

DECAY [D]

PARAMETER	CONTROL	DESCRIPTION	VALUE RANGE
Decay [D]		AMP ENV encoder; Push to jump to the parameter; Turn to change the parameter		The decay stage length in seconds		From 0.00 to 20.00

SUSTAIN [S]

PARAMETER	CONTROL	DESCRIPTION	VALUE RANGE
Sustain [S]		AMP ENV encoder; Push to jump to the parameter; Turn to change the parameter		The sustain stage level		From 0.00 to 1.00

RELEASE [R]

PARAMETER	CONTROL	DESCRIPTION	VALUE RANGE
Release [R]		AMP ENV encoder; Push to jump to the parameter; Turn to change the parameter		The release stage length in seconds		From 0.00 to 20.00

DELAY [D]

PARAMETER	CONTROL	DESCRIPTION	VALUE RANGE
Delay [D]		AMP ENV encoder; Push to jump to the parameter; Turn to change the parameter		The delay stage time in seconds (available only when the DADSR envelope type is selected)		From 0.000 to 5.000

HOLD [H]

PARAMETER	CONTROL	DESCRIPTION	VALUE RANGE
Hold [H]		AMP ENV encoder; Push to jump to the parameter; Turn to change the parameter		The hold stage time in seconds (available only when the ADSHR envelope type is selected)		From 0.00 to 5.00

STAGE CURVE [C]

PARAMETER	CONTROL	DESCRIPTION	VALUE RANGE
Stage curve [C]		ALT + AMP ENV / CURVE encoder		The curve of the selected envelope stage		From 1.00 (exponential) through 0.00 (linear) to 1.00 (inverse exponential)

BREAKPOINT [B]

PARAMETER	CONTROL	DESCRIPTION	VALUE RANGE
Breakpoint [B]		ALT + AMP ENV / CURVE encoder		The break level – a hidden parameter in the ADSR, DADSR and ADSHR envelope types		From -1.00 to 1.00

TIME [T]

PARAMETER	CONTROL	DESCRIPTION	VALUE RANGE
Time [T]		Push ALT + AMP ENV / CURVE encoder		The time stage length in seconds – a hidden parameter in the ADSR, DADSR and ADSHR envelope types		From 0.00 to – 20.00

MASTER CURVE [M CRV]

PARAMETER	CONTROL	DESCRIPTION	VALUE RANGE
Master curve [M CRV]		▷ LEFT SCREEN ENCODER		The master curve. Functions as an offset to the individual Stage curve [C] parameter.		From 1.00 (exponential) through 0.00 (linear) to 1.00 (inverse exponential)

ENVELOPE TYPE [TYPE]

PARAMETER	CONTROL	DESCRIPTION	VALUE RANGE
Envelope type [TYPE]		◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODER		The envelope type selection		“ADSR” “AD” “AR” “DADSR” “ADSHR” “AD LOOP” “ADS”

RESET [RST]

PARAMETER	CONTROL	DESCRIPTION	VALUE RANGE
Reset [RST]		◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODER		The reset setting that determines how the AMP ENVELOPE retrigger acts, when the envelope polyphony slots are filled up.		“OFF” – when the envelope is retriggered, the attack stage starts at current envelope level; “GATE” – when the envelope is retriggered it also reset and the attack stage starts from the zero level.

VELOCITY [VEL]

PARAMETER	CONTROL	DESCRIPTION	VALUE RANGE
Velocity [VEL]		◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODER		The velocity parameter determines the envelope’s amplitude response to midi input note velocity.		From -1 (inverted sensitivity) Through – 0 (no sensitivity) To 1 (full sensitivity)

3.3 Instructions

3.3.1 Navigating between voices in the AMP ENV SCREEN

The primary way to access the AMP ENV SCREEN is to press the AMP ENV encoder of the MOTOR VOICE. This opens the AMP ENV SCREEN for that VOICE. Press the AMP ENV encoder in the MOTOR VOICE 2 section to access the V2 AMP ENV SCREEN.

An alternative way to access different voices (V1, V2, DCO) in the AMP ENVELOPE SCREEN is to use the < & > arrow buttons in the bottom left corner of the MOTOR Synth. This navigation option is suggested by the small arrow symbols < & > at the top of the AMP ENV SCREEN.

3.3.2 Setting the basic envelope stage parameters

Press the AMP ENV encoder to access the AMP ENV SCREEN with the AMP ENVELOPE settings. This screen contains the visual representation of the envelope shape.

Push the AMP ENV encoder to toggle circularly between the multiple envelope stage parameters and highlight them. For example, by pressing the AMP ENV encoder a second time, the Decay [D] parameter will be highlighted. Turning the AMP ENV encoder will then adjust the value of the Decay [D] parameter.

The time-based envelope stage parameters Attack [A], Decay [D], and Release [R] are expressed in seconds and range from 0.000 to 20.000 seconds. The Sustain [S] parameter is expressed as a numerical value between 0.00 and 1.00, representing a fully closed amp during the sustain stage (0.00) and a fully open amp (1.00), respectively.

Note: Since all envelope stages are controlled with one encoder, the MOTOR Synth will remember the last highlighted envelope stage when exiting the AMP ENVELOPE SCREEN. When returning to this screen from a different screen by pressing the AMP ENV encoder, the highlighted stage will be the same as before exiting the screen. This feature is especially useful when adjusting a specific envelope stage is a key part of a performance.

3.3.3 Setting the Curve [C] and Master curve [M CRV]

The time-based envelope stages Attack [A], Decay [D] and Release [R] have a Curve [C] parameter expressed as a numerical value ranging from -1 (exponential), through 0 (linear), to 1 (inverse exponential).

To change the curvature of one of the stages, press the AMP ENV encoder until the intended stage is highlighted. Turn the ALT + AMP ENV / CURVE encoder to set that stage’s Curve [C] parameter. You will notice that the stage parameters [A, D, R] will be momentarily replaced by the Curve [C] parameter in the AMP ENV SCREEN.

Moreover, the Master Curve [M CRV] parameter can control the curves of all three stages simultaneously. If any stage has the Curve [C] set to a value other than 0 (linear), the Master Curve [M CRV] parameter functions as an offset to the existing Curve [C] values.

To set the Master Curve [M CRV] parameter turn the ▷ LEFT SCREEN ENCODER.

3.3.4 Changing the envelope Type [TYPE]

The AMP ENVELOPE SCREEN offers several envelope types. The choice of envelope type depends on the patch and performance tasks. For instance, the “ADSR” envelope type works well for performances using a MIDI keyboard where the performer determines the gate length for each note. On the other hand, the “AD” and “AR” envelope types are better suited for fast ARPEGIATOR performances where the gate length is usually fixed and short.

To change the envelope Type [TYPE] turn the ◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODER and select one of the following.

[TYPE]	Stages	Remark
“ADSR”	Attack [A], Decay [D], Sustain [S], Release [R]	Hidden parameters: Breakpoint [B]; Time [T]; See the next section for further instructions
“AD”	Attack [A], Decay [D]	The gate length will has no effect on the envelope length
“AR”	Attack [A], Release [R]	The sustain level is fixed at the maximum.
“DADSR”	Delay [D], Attack [A], Decay [D], Sustain [S], Release [R]	Hidden parameters: Breakpoint [B]; Time [T]
“ADSHR”	Attack [A], Decay [D], Sustain [S], Hold [H], Release [R]	Hidden parameters: Breakpoint [B]; Time [T]
“AD LOOP”	Attack [A], Decay [D]	Loops the envelope while the note gate is high.
“ADS”	Attack [A], Decay [D], Sustain [S]	Holds sustain stage indefinitely or until the envelope is retriggered.

[TYPE]	Stages	Remark
“ADSR”	Attack [A], Decay [D], Sustain [S], Release [R]	Hidden parameters: Breakpoint [B]; Time [T]; See the next section for further instructions
“AD”	Attack [A], Decay [D]	The gate length will has no effect on the envelope length
“AR”	Attack [A], Release [R]	The sustain level is fixed at the maximum.
“DADSR”	Delay [D], Attack [A], Decay [D], Sustain [S], Release [R]	Hidden parameters: Breakpoint [B]; Time [T]
“ADSHR”	Attack [A], Decay [D], Sustain [S], Hold [H], Release [R]	Hidden parameters: Breakpoint [B]; Time [T]
“AD LOOP”	Attack [A], Decay [D]	Loops the envelope while the note gate is high.
“ADS”	Attack [A], Decay [D], Sustain [S]	Holds sustain stage indefinitely or until the envelope is retriggered.

[TYPE]	STAGES	REMARK
"ADSR"	Attack [A], Decay [D], Sustain [S], Release [R]	Hidden parameters: Breakpoint [B], Time [T]. See the next section for further instructions.

[TYPE]	STAGES	REMARK
"AD"	Attack [A], Decay [D]	The gate length will has no effect on the envelope length.

[TYPE]	STAGES	REMARK
"AR"	Attack [A], Release [R]	The sustain level is fixed at the maximum.

[TYPE]	STAGES	REMARK
"DADSR"	Delay [D], Attack [A], Decay [D], Sustain [S], Release [R]	Hidden parameters: Breakpoint [B], Time [T]

[TYPE]	STAGES	REMARK
"ADSHR"	Attack [A], Decay [D], Sustain [S], Hold [H], Release [R]	Hidden parameters: Breakpoint [B], Time [T]

[TYPE]	STAGES	REMARK
"AD LOOP"	Attack [A], Decay [D]	Loops the envelope while the note gate is high.

[TYPE]	STAGES	REMARK
"ADS"	Attack [A], Decay [D], Sustain [S]	Holds sustain stage indefinitely or until the envelope is retriggered.

3.3.5 Setting advanced hidden parameters of the ADSR envelope – Breakpoint [B] and Time [T]

The “ADSR”, “DADSR” and “ADSHR” envelope types have two hidden envelope parameters for a more nuanced sound design compared to a typical ADSR-type envelope.

The Breakpoint [B] is a level relative to the Sustain [S] level at which the Decay [D] stage ends. Time [T] is the duration during the Sustain [S] stage over which the envelope falls or rises from the Breakpoint [B] level to the Sustain [S] level. If the Breakpoint [B] is lower than the Sustain [S], then Time [T] acts as a secondary attack after the Decay [D] stage. However, if the Breakpoint [B] parameter is set higher than the Sustain [S], then Time [T] acts as a secondary decay after the initial Decay [D] stage.

Push the AMP ENV encoder until the Sustain [S] stage is highlighted. Turn the ALT + AMP ENV / CURVE encoder to set the Breakpoint [B] level. While holding ALT, the Sustain [S] parameter is momentarily replaced by the Breakpoint [B] parameter in the AMP ENV SCREEN. Negative Breakpoint [B] values create a second attack, but positive values create a second decay.

Push the ALT + AMP ENV / CURVE encoder once again to toggle to the Time [T] parameter and turn the ALT + AMP ENV / CURVE encoder to set the value. The Time [T] parameter determines the time in which the AMP ENVELOPE will go from the Breakpoint [B] level to Sustain [S] level.

3.3.6 Setting the ENVELOPE Reset [RST]

The Reset [RST] setting determines how the envelope retrigger behaves. By default, the Reset [RST] is “OFF”. In this case, each newly triggered note’s Attack [A] stage begins from its current envelope level when retriggered.

In the “GATE” setting, each new note resets the envelope and the Attack [A] begins from 0 when retriggered.

To change the Reset [RST] setting press the ◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODER until the setting is highlighted and turn the ◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODER to change the setting.

3.3.7 Setting the ENVELOPE Velocity [VEL]

The Velocity [VEL] parameter determines the envelope’s amplitude response to MIDI note velocity. The Velocity [VEL] is expressed in numerical values from 1 (full velocity response), through 0 (no velocity response) to -1 (inverted velocity response).

To set the Velocity [VEL] setting press the ◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODER until the setting is highlighted and turn the ◁ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODER to change it.

Note: While the MOTOR Synth’s built in keypad is not velocity sensitive, the Velocity [VEL] control is an essential parameter when playing with velocity sensitive MIDI keyboards and other external controllers. Furthermore the MOTOR Synth’s SEQUENCER and ARPEGGIATOR do have a Velocity [VEL] parameter per step which will interact with the ENVELOPE depending on the ENVELOPE’s Velocity [VEL] setting.

MOTOR SYNTH MKII MANUAL