[sdiy] Synth pitch envelope

[Michael Zacherl]

Hi Ritchie, 

On 11.Feb 2016, at 14:56 , Richie Burnett <rburnett at richieburnett.co.uk> wrote:

> Incidentally is there any feeling on what is the correct shape for a pitch envelope generator on a synth?  

“linear” was my first thought … then again … actually “no”.

> I notice that not many synths have this functionality, and those that do, just seem to have an AD rather than full ADSR.  I suppose there isn't much demand for "sustaining" at a detuned pitch!?  

well, the concept of pitch-bending the attack of a sound comes from synthesising traditional instruments, 
like brass stabs. Some old synths, preset synths like the small Yamahas, had that for instance, IIRC.
But today it’s (also) about “new" sounds, so where’s the limit? 
I have been using the sustain stage quite frequently.
Also think of FM, the modulators can go anywhere.

> Obviously a bi-polar envelope depth control is needed to allow pitch modulation either up or down, but was wondering if linear attack and decay are the norm, or if expo curves predominate here?

if the env goes to a regular CV-in (V/Oct) then that’s already exponential.
Then again, also running software I’m used to shape the curves to what I need.
And there’s potentially a linear FM input which can be used.
my 2c...
m.

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