Studio Electronics Boomstar Modular - Manual (Page 7)

Modular Signal Paths
(Copy courtesy of Pittsburgh Modular)
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The BOOMSTAR MODULAR’S signal path is divided into two types of signals: audio signals and control
voltages.
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The audio signal is the sound that is produced. The audio signal path starts at a sound source such as a
Waveforms oscillator, LFO running at audio rate, or the Filter in oscillator mode. The audio signal is then
patched through other modules used to shape the sound such as mixers, filters, and amplifiers.
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Control voltages (CV) manipulate the audio signal in several different ways.
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Gates are represented by a high or low control voltage. A gate can be generated using a square or pulse
wave from an oscillator or LFO, or by using a gate output from an external sequencer, or MIDI keyboard.
A gate can be shaped using an envelope generator to control the attack, decay, sustain, and release of
the gate. The modified gate signal can then be sent to any CV input on the synth.
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A second use for control voltages is as a modulation source. For example, a control voltage from the
SCI-FY S/H OUT (Sample and Hold) module patched into the 1V/O input on an OSCILLATION module
controls the frequency of the oscillator based on the randomly generated sequence of notes,
additionally, the OSCILLATION module’s full range oscillators make perfect control voltage modulation
sources; and audio signals make excellent control voltage source for oscillator FM (frequency
modulation). Understanding exactly how it works can sometimes hinder creativity—experiment!
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