Does the sustain level impact envelope release ?

Hi !

I'm not sure whether it's a bug in my setup or an expected behavior in FM synthesis, but
please, try this.

. Using a simple operator with basic default settings
. set a release of 2 sec on the envelope with a linear slope (0.5)
. make sure sustain level is maxed (1.0)
. make sure Key scaling and Vel Scaling are both 0 (it should be for a new sound)

Play the sound. Release length last 2 sec as expected. Fine

Now change sustain level to half value (0.5)
Play the sound. Release length last 1 sec. Half the value expected. Weird

A lower value will shorten the length accordingly. Etc...

So, my question is : " Does the correlation between the sustain level impacting the release length is
something expected in FM Synthesis, an FM8 issue or looks more like a bug specific to my setup ? "


Thank you in advance.

 

Usually that shouldn't happen indeed. I tried multipoint envelopes in Falcon and segment time is always respected regardless of envelope amplitude from previous segment.

On the other hand, if FM8 calculates envelopes in rates rather than absolute times, this wouldn't be incorrect behavior...

 

The operator envelope is displayed as a more "conventional" graph
for simplicity's sake but according to NI FM8 manual, the engine keeps
the rate/level principle.


" FM8 manual :
The envelopes in vintage synths worked on the rate/level principle, which
specified the rate at which the envelope goes from one level to another.
Unfortunately this was quite confusing, as going from zero to a high level
would take longer than going from zero to a low level, given the same rate.
The FM8 solves this problem by letting you set a specific time for one level
to transition to another, and does all the necessary calculations internally to
convert this into the correct rate.
"

So yes, your reasoning looks right !

I think it's confusing tho, as you don't get what you see.

Anyway, I'll keep this in mind when converting presets from other FM synth to
FM8.

Thank you for your time.

 

You can read-in SYX from DX7:

1) Go to the <Easy> page and lift the Stereo Width - works magic!
2) If possible, increase the output volume. Most old patches are too soft.
3) Tweak velocity sensitivity on some operators - makes the patches more "live"
4) Add reverb or delay etc - season to taste.