LinPlug Alpha - Manual (Page 25)

Glossary
AM: AM or "Amplitude Modulation" is a process where the amplitude of one generator (the
carrier) is controlled by another (the modulator). When the frequency of the modulator is
periodic and below the audio range (less than 20 Hz) it is called “tremolo”. When the
modulation frequency is within the audio range, Ring Modulation is produced. See also Ring
Modulation below.
Amplifier: A signal processing device that changes the amplitude, and hence the volume, of
a signal.
DAW: Digital Audio Workstation, thats the Term for (in example) a Computer running some
software to produce music or process audio in a wider sense. Usually its used for just the
software itself, so Cubase, Logic and other software is considered a DAW.
Envelope: A time-varying signal used to control the development of another signal after it
has been triggered. Envelopes are most often used for controlling a signal's amplitude. The
shape of the envelope is determined by the number of control parameters. Often four
parameters are available: Attack Time, Decay Time, Sustain Level and Release Time.
Filter: A signal processing device that suppresses or "filters" out specific parts of a signal's
frequency spectrum. Numerous types of filter are used in audio synthesis. These include Low
Pass, High Pass, Band Pass and Notch.
LFO: An LFO or "Low Frequency Oscillator" is a periodic signal source (usually below audio
frequency range) used to modulate another signal parameter. An LFO can be used for a
variety of effects including vibrato (by modulating the pitch) and tremolo (by modulating the
volume).
Modulation Matrix: A signal "junction" where a source signal can be patched so that it
controls a destination signal. The Alpha's Modulation Matrix is used for tasks such as
modulating an oscillator's amplitude by an LFO.
Oscillator: A signal source that generates a periodic waveform at a given frequency.
Ring Modulation: The process of combining two audio signals by multiplication. Ring
Modulation produces sidebands but suppresses both the carrier and modulating frequencies.
Though Ring Modulation is only a special form of AM, in practice “AM” is considered Ring
Modulation plus the carrier (one of the oscillators, in Alpha its the oscillator 2) and “Ring
Modulation” is considered pure Ring Modulation with no carrier.
LinPlug Alpha 3.3 Series User Manual Page 25