Modulation adds movement to your sound by changing parameters over time. The available modulation sources include Modulators like envelopes and LFOs, but also more advanced concepts like the Performers. In this section, you will learn how to assign and use them.

Note: If you jumped straight into this section or need to reset your sound, load the preset called QSG - 01 Modulation from the Quickstart category in the preset menu.

Modulator 1 is an envelope that is hard-wired to control the level of the output amplifier (Amp). This makes it possible to shape the volume contour of the sound without having to manually assign the envelope first.

Open Modulator 1 in the Editor by clicking E1 in the Navigation bar.

Play some notes and turn the envelope’s parameters to get an impression of how they affect the sound:

If you want to use other modulation sources in your sound, you need to assign them first. In this guide, you are going to use one of the Performers, which are specialized sequencers for modulation.

To assign the Performer, drag the arrow icon of Performer 1 (P1) to the first modulation slot of the Wavetable Position.

Note: Alternatively, you can first click the arrow icon and then the modulation slot to make an assignment.

Click and drag the modulation slot upwards to increase the modulation amount applied to the Wavetable Position from the Performer.

Note: You can double-click the modulation slot to set the maximum modulation amount.

The Performer can produce complex contours, which are essentially sequences of modulation shapes. You can adjust the contours in the Editor’s Performer pages.

Open Performer 1 in the Editor by clicking P1 in the Navigation bar.

Adjust the sequence length by dragging the Range bar to measure 2 on the grid.

Select the drawing tool for creating falling saw shapes in the Edit area.

Draw a contour by clicking and dragging in the Performer, for example, draw diagonally from the beginning of the grid to measure 2 to create the following contour.

You can also make the Performer restart its contour from the beginning of each note you play.

Open the Grid view of the Performers and set the Launch mode to Key.

Note: The Performer will loop its contour as long as you hold a note. If you want it to stop at the end of the contour, set Mode to Oneshot in the Grid view.

Tip: Try other drawing tools in the Edit area to create different shapes, or change the grid to another time signature.