Modulation - E-Mu Vintage Keys Operation Manual

PROGRAMMING BASICS
Vintage Keys has an extensive modulation implementation using two
multi-wave LFO's (Low Frequency Oscillators), two envelope genera-
tors and the ability to respond to multiple MIDI controllers. You can
simultaneously route any combination of these control sources to
multiple destinations.

MODULATION

Modulation means to dynamically change a parameter, whether it be
the volume (amplitude modulation), the pitch (frequency modula-
tion), or whatever. Turning the volume control on your home stereo
rapidly back and forth would be an example of amplitude modulation.
To modulate something we need a modulation source and a modula-
tion destination. The source is your hand turning the knob, and the
destination is the volume control. If we had a device that would
automatically turn the volume control, we would also call that device
a modulation source. The Vintage Keys is designed so that for each of
the variable parameters, such as the volume, there is an initial setting
which can be changed by a modulation source. Therefore in the case
of volume, we have an initial volume and we can change or modulate
that volume with a modulation source. Two main types of modulation
sources on Vintage Keys are Envelope Generators and Low Frequency
Oscillators. In the example above, an envelope generator could be
routed to automatically turn the volume control as programmed by
the envelope. Or, a low frequency oscillator could be routed to auto-
matically turn the volume control up and down in a repeating
fashion.
Turning the volume control back and forth on your home stereo is an example of
Amplitude Modulation.
28 Vintage Keys Operation Manual