Future Retro XS - Manual (Page 32)

ANALOG CONTROLS
ENVELOPE 1
An envelope generator is designed to accurately and repetitively sweep sound parameters such as pitch,
tone or amplitude in a way which would be physically impossible for human hands to do.
Envelope 1 is the main modulation envelope in the XS. It can be used to modulate the frequency of the
internal oscillators and filter, as well as control external devices.
Envelope 1 is similar to a typical ADSR type envelope, with the addition of our unique accent envelope
times which will be described in more detail in the ACCENT section of this manual. This envelope has a
range of 0 to +10 volts. The Envelope 1 LED will light to indicate every time a note is being played.
KEY SYNC: When this switch is set to the ON position, each time a new note is played on your MIDI
keyboard, the envelope will start regenerating the attack portion of its shape from 0 volts. The exception
to this is that if a logic gate signal is inserted into the GATE IN jack, this logic signal will override
Note On/Off messages coming from your MIDI keyboard, and instead will use this external gate signal
to trigger the envelopes in the XS. When this switch is set to the OFF position, the attack portion of the
envelope will start at whatever amplitude the envelope is currently at when a new note is played.
ATTACK: The attack control determines the rate at which the envelope will transition from its
current amplitude to +10 volts. This attack time can vary from 0.5 milliseconds to 4 seconds. When this
control is rotated fully counter-clockwise, the fastest attack time will occur. Rotate this control
clockwise to increase the attack time.
Ideally the attack portion of the envelope will begin at 0 volts, unless a note was recently played and the
envelope has not yet fully decayed to 0 volts.
DECAY: Once the attack portion of the envelope has reached +10 volts, the DECAY control determines
the rate at which the envelope will transition from this +10 volt level to the amplitude set by the sustain
control. This decay time can vary from 2 milliseconds to 10 seconds. When this control is rotated fully
counter-clockwise, the fastest decay time will occur. Rotate this control clockwise to increase the decay
time.
SUSTAIN: The sustain control determines the level that the envelope will decay to as long as a note is
currently being played. This level can range from 0 to +10 volts. Rotate this control fully counter-
clockwise for the minimum sustain level. As you rotate this control clockwise the sustain level will
increase.
RELEASE: The release control determines the rate at which the envelope will transition from the enve-
lope’s current level to 0 volts when a note is released from playing. When this control is rotated fully
counter-clockwise the fastest release time will occur. Rotate this control clockwise to increase the re-
lease time.
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