About Effects - Novation SuperNova II User Manual

ABOUT EFFECTS

Effects can be "Effects" or they can be "Acoustic Simulations". Both are useful in the production of modern music, in fact they are
almost essential. Clever use of effects can enhance a track beyond compare. However, slapping loads of effect on everything can
do the reverse.
In the Supernova II Rack there are 7 effects units per Program. They are: Distortion, EQ ( Equalisation ), Comb Filter, Reverb,
Chorus/Flanger/Phaser ( This is one effect that can be a Rotary Speaker or an Ensemble or a Chorus or a Flanger or a Phaser ),
Delay & Panner/Tremolo. Let's look at all of these effects one by one.
Distortion.
This is usually an effect reserved for Guitar players. As the name suggests, this has the effect of distorting the incoming signal as
can be seen in the diagram below.
Distorted Saw Waveform
Saw Waveform
This effect not only gives the sound a hard edge & a dirty kind of quality, it also has several other characteristics that are worthy of
note. Firstly, low level harmonics within the waveform are exaggerated. "Resonant" waveforms & indeed any resonance or addition-
al harmonics will jump out if this effect is used. Secondly, the maximum level that comes out of the distortion effect is relatively con-
stant so there is a definite compression effect as well. This can be useful for mixing, as the level of the sound is the same. The
Distortion parameter as its name implies introduces Distortion.
EQ.
This effect is not normally found on most synthesisers, but is found on mixing desks & is very useful for fine tweaking the individual
sounds to make them "fit" together in a mix. Very often a sound may be too "muffled" sounding or a bass too "twangy" sounding.
This is where EQ comes in. Muffled sounds have insufficient treble, so adjusting the Treble EQ will either boost or reduce the tre-
ble. Similarly, the Bass EQ will either boost or reduce the bass. In the Supernova II Rack there is a Treble EQ control & a Bass EQ
control.
Comb Filter.
This effect is a filter that generates many peaks in the frequency response of the signal. This can be seen in the frequency
Response curve below.
Boost
Level
Comb Filter Frequency Responce at a low "Freqency" setting
Boost
Level
Comb Filter Frequency Responce at a high "Freqency" setting
There are many peaks & they look like a "comb" hence the name Comb Filter. There are two parameters associated with this
effect. Comb frequency controls the "frequencies" at which the peaks occur & Comb boost controls how high the peaks are. The
effect is to alter the timbre of the sound. Although similar to EQ, this effect can produce effects not possible using a standard EQ.
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