Waldorf Edition - Manual (Page 86)

Waldorf Edition
User Manual 86 Waldorf
defined minimum level. In the field of analog synthesis, a Gate is a control signal,
which can have both states: active inactive. The keyboard of such a synth can be used
as an example: When you press a key, the keyboard sends two different signals: CV
and Gate. The control voltage (CV, see above) defines the pitch of the pressed key. The
Gate-signal is active for as long as you hold down the key. If you let go of it, Gate im-
mediately becomes inactive. In the sound creation process, this Gate signal can e.g. be
used to trigger an Envelope, which in turn controls the VCA.
High Pass Filter
A high pass filter dampens all frequencies below its cutoff frequency. Frequencies
above the cutoff point are not affected.
LFO
LFO is an acronym for low-frequency oscillator. The LFO generates a periodic oscillati-
on at a low frequency and features variable waveshapes. Similar to an envelope, an
LFO can be used to modulate a sound-shaping component.
Low Pass Filter
Synthesizers are often equipped with a low pass filter. It dampens all frequencies above
its cutoff frequency. Frequencies below the cutoff point are not affected.
MIDI
The acronym MIDI stands for "musical instrument digital interface." It was developed in
the early '80s so that diverse types of electronic musical instruments by different manu-
facturers could interact. At the time a communications standard for heterogeneous de-
vices did not exist, so MIDI was a significant advance. It made it possible to link all de-
vices with one another through simple, uniform connections. Essentially, this is how
MIDI works: One sender is connected to one or several receivers. For instance, if you
want to use a computer to play the Pulse, then the computer is the sender and the Pulse
acts as the receiver. With a few exceptions, the majority of MIDI devices are equipped
with two or three ports for this purpose: MIDI In, MIDI Out and in some cases MIDI
Thru. The sender transfers data to the receiver via the MIDI Out jack. Data are sent via
a cable to the receiver's MIDI In jack. MIDI Thru has a special function. It allows the
sender to transmit to several receivers. It routes the incoming signal to the next device
without modifying it. Another device is simply connected to this jack, thus creating a
chain through which the sender can address a number of receivers. Of course it is de-
sirable for the sender to be able to address each device individually. Consequently, the-
re is a rule which is applied to ensure each device responds accordingly.
MIDI Channel
This is a very important element of most messages. A receiver can only respond to in-
coming messages if its receive channel is set to the same channel as the one the sender
is using to transmit data. Subsequently, the sender can address specific receivers indivi-
dually. MIDI Channels 1 through 16 are available for this purpose.