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• Function 2: Modulation
Turn DATA FAR to 0 and DATA NEAR to 127. The DATA knobs set the maximum and
minimum MIDI value to be transmitted when your left hand is near to or far from the left
sensor. Wave your left hand, and as the number rises you should hear note modulation,
usually a tremolo effect. As the number falls, the effect fades away. You can reverse the
effect by swapping the NEAR and FAR numbers. The controller acts like a mid-air slider:
move your hand to the desired value; remove it and the value will "stick". This behavior is
the same across Functions 2 – 6.
On the Macchiato Mini Synth, Modulation controls the depth of the Low Frequency
Oscillator (LFO). Touching the Depth knob on the Macchiato will override the Altura. Using
the Altura will override the knob on the Macchiato.
• Function 3: Note-On velocity
The Note-On velocity defaults to 127 upon startup. Use the DATA NEAR and FAR knobs
to set maximum and minimum values for velocity. (Keeping a minimum velocity around 30
will prevent you from accidentally silencing your Altura!) This affects the starting velocity of
each new note. velocity usually impacts the volume of the note, but your synth might use
this to influence other effects, such as brightness.
• Function 4: Channel volume
The Channel volume defaults to 127 upon startup. This function affects the overall output
volume of your synth, and is useful for swells while a note sustains.
• Function 5: Portamento
"Portamento" refers to notes gliding smoothly from one pitch to the next. This effect
emulates the classic sound of a theremin. The left sensor sets the Portamento Time: small
numbers mean short, fast glides; higher numbers mean long, slow glides. Set the DATA FAR
knob to about 10 or 20. Set the DATA NEAR knob to around 80. Play your Altura with a
Macchiato Mini Synth and you will hear that spooky theremin sound! Setting Time = 0 will
turn Portamento off.
Some synthesizers will respond to Portamento as readily as the Macchiato; others may only
respond with a bit of coaxing; and many synthesizers do not support Portamento at all.
Consult your synthesizer's documentation, and the Altura Reference Manual.
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