Sustain Level - Korg POLYSIX Owner's Manual

The Envelope Generator (EG) is used to create contouring effects, in combination with the VCF, VCA, or both.
Contouring effects allow the sound of a note to change and evolve as time passes. This evolution in timbre (tonal
quality) can take anywhere from a small part of a second to thirty seconds or more, different parts of the contour
(attack, decay, etc.) can proceed at a different rate. These effects are extremely important in producing expressive
sounds - sounds that are punchy, gentle, sassy, funky, orchestral, futuristic, or just about anything you want.
A contour is a pattern of changes that begins when you depress a key. It attacks up to a certain point (the
attack peak), then decays down to a sustain level, remains at the sustain level as long as you hold the key down,
and finally releases to 0 when you release the key.
There are six EGs in the Polysix, one per voice, so that each voice may be independently articulated.
The VCF EG Depth control allows the amount of contouring (enveloping) to be continuously varied and either
normal or inverted (reverse, negative) envelopes to be used. The VCA envelope can be controlled by either a full
depth non-inverted (normal) contour from the EG, or by an independent gate-type envelope.
Controls
The Attack, Decay, and Release controls can be independently adjusted over a range of about 1 milli-second
(1/1000 of a second) to over 15 seconds. All controls are fully programmable.
Level
Key on ->
Attack time
1) ATTACK
Varies the length of time it takes for the contour to rise from 0 to the attack peak. Longer attack times are
produced as the control is moved clockwise towards higher numbers.
2) DECAY
Varies the length of time it takes for the contour to fall from the attack peak to the sustain level. Higher
numbers produce longer decay times.

3) SUSTAIN LEVEL

Varies the sustain level of the EG from 0% to 100% of the attack peak. Higher number produce higher sustain
levels. Once the attack and decay portions are completed, the EG contour remains at the sustain level until the
key is released. (If HOLD more is selected, the EG contour will remain at the sustain level indefinitely).
4) RELEASE
Varies the length of time it takes for the contour to fall from the sustain level to 0 after the key is released.
Higher numbers produce longer release times.
1
ATTACK DECAY
Maximum level
(Attack peak)
Decay time
EG
2 3 4
SUSTAIN RELEASE
EG
Sustain level
<- Key off
Release time
Time
9