Simple Editing: Attack (Eg) - Yamaha SY99 Owner's Manual

The Envelope Generator (EG) determines how a sound attacks (begins) and decays (ends).
What is an envelope
generator
Adjusting the attack of an
AWM element
Adjusting the attack of an
AFM element
72

Simple editing: attack (EG)

Most instruments have a characteristic pattern in which the volume or tone
changes over time. In electronic instruments, this is determined by the envelope
generator (EG). The EG produces a fixed pattern of change over time. For
example to simulate the attack and decay of a piano, you would set the. volume
EG to be loud when the note is first played and then gradually diminish in vol-
ume. The EGs of the SY99 allow you to specify a change over time by settings
Levels and Rates. The levels are volume levels, and the rates determines the
speed of change that leads to the next level.
In this example, we will be adjusting only R1 (rate 1) to change the attack of
the sound.
AWM element EGs are slightly different from AFM element EGs. If you are
editing an AWM element, continue to the next section "Adjusting the attack of
an AWM element". If you are editing an AFM element, skip to the last section
"Adjusting the attack of an AFM element".
For an AWM element, the amplifier block EG determines how the volume of
each note will change over time. From the AWM element 1 job directory, select
03:EG. If the Mode is set to "hold", change it to "attack".
Move the cursor to R1 (rate 1) and decrease the value while repeatedly playing
notes. Notice that as R1 decreases, the attack becomes slower.
For an AFM element, the combined effect of the operator EGs determines the
way the element's volume and tone change over time. From the ATM element 1
job directory, select 03:EG. Press F2 (All) and then press F3 (OnR) (key-on
rates).