Oscillators; Oscillator 1 & 2; Range; Tune/Fine - Roland SE-02 User Manual

OSCILLATORS

The SE-02 is a 3 Oscillator analog monophonic synthesizer and the OSCILLATOR section is central to sound
creation. With three oscillators mixing through a single filter/envelope section resulting in one synthesizer voice
an inspiring array of sounds can be produced. At its root, a great bass sound can be made with a single
oscillator, a second can be added to create sub harmonics. Invert this idea and raise the range of oscillator 2
and find organ and other harmonics which create texture and interesting tones. The third oscillator is added to
produce a sub harmonic for the complex waveform already created, or can be set into LOW mode where
oscillator 3 acts as a modulation source for XMOD and PWM behavior. Or set them all the same, and then fine
tune each one into a chord.
The relationships between waveforms, range, and tuning alone can become fully engaging. Subtle changes
produce huge differences in how the waveforms relate to one another and what inevitably comes out the
speakers. A thoughtful exploration of this section, taking your time, and repeating ideas can result in a superb
self-education in the basics of analog synthesis.
OSCILLATOR 1 & 2

RANGE

Sets the overall frequency range of the Oscillator's tuning from LO, 32', 16', 8', 4' and 2'

TUNE/FINE

Tunes Oscillator. Fine is the relative tuning of Oscillator 2's pitch in relation to Oscillator 1. With analog
equipment tuning is important. Sometimes setting the TUNE pot to 12 o'clock doesn't actually mean that you are
in tune.
While there is an auto tuning feature on the SE-02 and the nature of modern electronics is more stable than
vintage analog, remember that the SE-02 is still an analog synthesizer and it's always a good idea to allow them
to warm up before tuning, and needing to at least verify the tuning before beginning to play.

WAVEFORM

This is the waveform selector for Oscillator 1 & 2 (respectively.)
Choose between TRIANGLE, NARROW TRIANGLE (somewhere between a triangle wave and a saw wave,
OSC 1 & 2 only), SAWTOOTH, SQUARE WAVE, PULSE WAVE 1 (wide,) and PULSE WAVE 2 (narrow.)
Experiment: With only OSCILLATOR 1 turned up in the mixer, and the filter open enough to hear what you're
doing, switch between the waves and listen to what they sound like. TRIANGLE is deep and pretty, SAW is sharp
and a little gritty, SQUARE is big and beautiful. Now switch the range around - listen to a very high SAW, and
check out a very low PULSE. These are the building blocks of all sounds. Get a feel for how to create them, and
what they're called.

SYNC SWITCH

This switch engages and disengages oscillator sync. In an analog synth, waveforms can report in and out of
phase. This means that waveforms start, and unfold over time differently. Sync is how we force these waveforms
to play together at the same time. The sync switch will force Oscillator 2 to return to the beginning of it's cycle
(start again) whenever the master waveform starts again. This puts the waveform into a mandatory
synchronization with the wave cycle of oscillator 1.
Page 10 of 35 Manual V1.03 for firmware V1.11