3 AMP/ENVELOPE

3.1 Description

The MOTOR Synth has 3 groups of envelopes:

1. AMP ENVELOPES
2. FILTER ENVELOPES
3. MOD ENVELOPES

All of these envelopes function very similarly and share the same settings. The only difference is that each group is modulating a different parameter and each group has different access from the front panel. Because of this the FILTER ENVELOPE and MOD ENVELOPE sections refer back to this section of the manual.

JAIEVIETO BILDES AR VISIEM ENV ENCODERIEM

Each motor has its own independent analog AMP ENVELOPE. It is a fundamental tone-shaping tool, 

as it determines each note’s dynamic behavior over time. The AMP ENVELOPES are controlled in voice groups – all four AMP ENVELOPES of one voice share the same settings, but are independently triggered. The envelopes are fully configurable with several envelope types, per-stage and master curve parameter, reset and velocity parameter.

❕ Note: Due to the semi-polyphonic architecture of the MOTOR Synth, the amplifiers are 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 4 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 and additional parameters in the AMP ENVELOPE SCREEN controlled with the ▶ LEFT & ◀ RIGHT SCREEN ENCODERS. Push the AMP ENV encoder to access the AMP ENVELOPE SCREEN and to toggle between the envelope stages. 

This list contains an overview of all parameters in this section. For further information refer to the Instructions sub-section.

3.3 Instructions

3.3.1 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.

SCREENSHOT AR ENV SCREEN. HIGHLIGHT UZ ATTACK

Press the AMP ENV encoder to circularly toggle between the various envelope stage parameters and highlight them. By pressing the AMP ENV encoder again, the Decay [D] parameter is highlighted. Turning the AMP ENV encoder will now adjust the value of the Decay [D] parameter.

SCREENSHOT AR ENV SCREEN. HIGHLIGHT UZ DECAY

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] is expressed as a numerical value between 0.00 and 1.00 that represents either a fully closed amp during the sustain stage and a fully open amp 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 back to it by pressing the AMP ENV encoder, the highlighted stage will be the same as before exiting the screen. This is especially useful when a part of the performance is adjusting a specific envelope stage.

4.3.2 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 which is expressed in numerical values from -1 (exponential), through 0 (linear) to 1 (inverse exponential).

To change the curve of one stage, push the AMP ENV encoder until the intended stage is highlighted. Turn the ALT +AMP ENV / CURVE encoder to set the Curve [C] parameter for that stage. During this the stage parameters [A, D, R] are momentarily replaced by the Curve [C] parameter in the AMP ENV SCREEN.

SCREENSHOT AR ATTACK CURVE

Additionally, the Master Curve [M CRV] parameter can be used to control the curves of all 3 stages. If any of the stages has the Curve [C] set to anything else 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

SCREENSHOT AR MASTER CURVE

4.3.3 Changing the envelope Type [TYPE]

The AMP ENVELOPE has several envelope types available. The choice of envelope type depends on the patch and performance tasks at hand. For example, the ADSR envelope type might be better suited for a performance using a MIDI keyboard where the gate length is fully dependent on the live performance. Whereas the AD and AR envelope types might work better in 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.

4.3.4 Setting the 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 designed compared to a typical ADSR type envelope.

Breakpoint [B] is a level relative to the Sustain [S] level at which the Decay [D] stage stops. Time [T] is the time during the Sustain [S] stage in which the envelope falls or rises from the Breakpoint [B] level to the Sustain [S] level. If the Breakpoint [B] is lower than Sustain [S] then TIme [T] acts as a secondary attack after the Decay [D] stage. But if the Breakpoint [B] is higher than 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. During this the Sustain [S] parameter is momentarily replaced by the Breakpoint [B] parameter in the AMP ENV SCREEN. Negative Breakpoint [B] values will create a second attack, but positive values will create a second decay. 

SCREENSHOT AR BREAKPOINT

Push the  ALT + AMP ENV / CURVE encoder to toggle to the Time [T] parameter and turn the  ALT + AMP ENV / CURVE encoder to set the value.

SCREENSHOT AR TIME

4.3.5 Setting the envelope Reset [RST]

The Reset [RST] setting determines how the envelope retrigger functions. The default Reset [RST] setting is “OFF” in which the Attack [A] stage will begin from the current envelope level when retriggered. In the “GATE” setting the envelope will also be reset and the Attack [A] will begin 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.

SCREENSHOT AR RESET GATE

4.3.6 Setting the envelope Velocity [VEL]

The Velocity [VEL] parameter determines the envelope’s amplitude response to midi input 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.

SCREENSHOT AR VELOCITY

  ❕ Note: While the MOTOR Stynth’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 ARPEGIATOR do have a Velocity [VEL] parameter per step which will interact with the ENVELOPE depending on the ENVELOPE’s Velocity [VEL] setting.

4.3.7 Navigating between voices in the AMP ENV SCREEN

An alternative way of accessing different voices (V1, V2, DCO) in the AMP ENVELOPE SCREEN is to use the < / CLEAR and > / RESET 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.

SCREENSHOT AR V2 ENV SCREEN