Future Retro XS - Manual (Page 35)

ANALOG CONTROLS
AMPLIFIER
The amplifier is used to shape the overall volume or amplitude of a sound.
The XS provides four envelope types to help shape the amplitude of sounds passing through the
amplifier.
These envelope types include attack/decay, attack/sustain/release, accented decay/sustain/release, and
accented decay/normal decay. The amplifier’s envelopes are also Velocity sensitive to add dynamic
expression to your playing.
VOLUME: The volume control determines the overall level of audio sent to the MAIN OUT jack.
Adjust this control for maximum output level to your mixer or audio system.
VELOCITY: The velocity control will determine the amount of effect Velocity messages from a MIDI
keyboard will have on the overall amplitude of Envelope 2 controlling the amplifier. The exception here
is that if an external control voltage is inserted into the VEL IN jack, this external control voltage will
override Velocity messages received from the MIDI keyboard.
When this control is rotated fully counter-clockwise, Velocity will have no effect on the Envelope 2’s
amplitude. When this control is rotated clockwise, the amount of effect Velocity has on Envelope 2’s
amplitude will increase. Therefore, higher Velocity values will generate slightly higher than normal
envelope levels, while lower Velocity settings will generate smaller envelope levels.
TIP: Using external Velocity control signals which swing both positive and negative can have interest-
ing results. Negative Velocity control voltages applied to Envelope 2 (the amplifier) will not allow the
amplifier to pass audio to the output during the negative period of a control voltage. If you do not desire
this effect on the amplifier, simply turn down the Velocity control for the amplifier. On the other hand,
you could insert a modulation source such as the LFO OUT signal into the VEL IN jack and have the
amplifier create tremolo-like effects.
ENV 2 SHAPE: This control selects the shape of Envelope 2 which will affect the amplifier’s volume.
Select the ATTACK/DECAY setting to create sounds that require only an attack, a decay, or both
attack and decay. This type of envelope is nice for simple pads or even percussion sounds.
Select the ATTACK/SUSTAIN/RELEASE setting to create sounds which may require an attack or
release. This type of envelope is nice for many traditional sounds, including leads and basslines.
Select the ACCENTED DECAY/SUSTAIN/RELEASE setting to create Velocity controlled sounds that
are capable of imitating a pluck/strum effect, or an alternating percussive/lead-type sound.
Select the ACCENTED DECAY/NORMAL DECAY setting to create Velocity controlled percussive
sounds that require alternating decay times.
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