(+) and (x) in the Modulation Matrix

[EnGee]

Hi there,

I already posted this question in the Sound Design forum but this is now specific to SynthMaster.

What is the difference between + and x in the modulation matrix.

I have read the manual of Waldorf Largo and it has those plus many others, but the difference between Largo and SynthMaster is that the first one has two sources, so it is understandable for me how these math operation will affect the signal of the source. but in SynthMaster, how does it work?

Thanks in advance,

[FLWrd]

With + it adds the value of the modulation soure to the parameter's current value, with x it multiples. The amount it adds, or the amount of scaling, is set by the knob associated with the modulation setting.

Let's say you assign the modulation wheel to layer 2 volume, and set layer volume halfway. Now, if you use the + and give the modulation influence a positive value, then mod wheel at zero will keep layer 2 volume as it is; pushing the mod wheel up will increase layer 2 volume with the amount set by the modulation influence knob. If you set it to to x, a low mod wheel value will result in a lower layer 2 volume, and full mod wheel will make layer 2 volume equal to the level you assigned it in the patch.

Does that make it a bit clearer?

[EnGee]

With + it adds the value of the modulation soure to the parameter's current value, with x it multiples. The amount it adds, or the amount of scaling, is set by the knob associated with the modulation setting.

Let's say you assign the modulation wheel to layer 2 volume, and set layer volume halfway. Now, if you use the + and give the modulation influence a positive value, then mod wheel at zero will keep layer 2 volume as it is; pushing the mod wheel up will increase layer 2 volume with the amount set by the modulation influence knob. If you set it to to x, a low mod wheel value will result in a lower layer 2 volume, and full mod wheel will make layer 2 volume equal to the level you assigned it in the patch.

Does that make it a bit clearer?

Thanks FLWrd,

I've got your explanation although I don't know how the multiply is related to the calculation, but it doesn't matter. It is exactly as you explained, the + (is the normal modulation as in another synths) but x is making the current value of the destination as the maximum value of modulation. In other way, one is absolute modulation and the other is relative. I hope I got it right this time

[FLWrd]

That is more or less the way it is. In terms of mathematical operations, it would look a bit like this. Say you've put the modulation influence knob at value I, the value of the modulation source itself (e.g. the mod wheel) is M, and the current value of the target is V. Then the effect looks like

(+) V + I * M (so modulation gets added according to the value of the modulation source and the influence knob)

(*) V * (I * M + offset), where the offset is maximal when I <= 0 and 0 when I is maximal.

Note that the real equations are more complex, since there are maximum and minimum values to take into account, etc.

[EnGee]

Thanks a lot FLWrd for your simplified mathematical explanation. I really appreciate your help

I have saved your reply as a note just in case I forget later.

[kv331]

Explained very well, thank you guys

[EnGee]

Explained very well, thank you guys

I really hope that a more detailed manual is planned. It would be great if it has some patches examples that demonstrate the different parts of the synth (say like FM8), although I know there are some videos in YouTube, I think it is important to write it in the manual as a reference