Modulators Modulators

Modulators allow changing emitter or filter parameter values over time to produce a more complex and dynamic sound. Each modulator can be set to an envelope, a periodic wave, a slow randomized noise or even MIDI input. A modulator can be routed to one of the available targets. Multiple modulators can be routed to the same target.

On the Tempera, there are ten modulators per voice played, plus a a full ADSR amplitude envelope generator.

ADSR envelope

The first page of the Modulators Modulators menu is a main ADSR envelope with Attack, Delay, Sustain and Release parameters. This amplitude envelope applies to each voice played.

Apart from the main ADSR envelope, each emitter can have its distinct Grain shape (grain envelope) configured in the Emitters Emitters menu.

Modulator options

The second and following pages are dedicated to the individual modulators. These can be of different shape, destination, speed and scaling:

  • AR and AD are two-stage simplified variants of the full ADSR envelope which can be controlled by Attack-Decay and Attack-Release parameters.

  • Sine, Triangle, Square and Saw are periodic LFOs with controllable Speed and Phase offset.

    The LFO Speed has an optional tempo Sync. When not synced with the tempo, a modulator can be also set to be Free running. The +- button switches between bipolar and unipolar waveform.

  • Noise S&H and Slow noise provide sampled and periodic randomized noise with adjustable Speed and Phase offset as well.

  • Modwheel, Aftertouch, Key track and Velocity allow to route MIDI input as modulation sources.

    Modwheel and Aftertouch correspond to CC 1 and Channel Pressure messages while Key track and Velocity correspond to the note and velocity of keys played over MIDI or the Overlay Keyboard.

The Target/Size buttons switch between adjusting modulation target and modulation size.

Multiple targets are available which can be global or per-emitter (starting with E1 to E4). The modulation size controls how much the target value is affected by the modulator.

Tip

  • If a parameter is modulated, a small vertical line will appear over its display for each voice played.

  • The modulator shape is shown in real time on the first display for each voice played.

  • You can freely grain-scrub through a track by modulating Emitter Relative Y with e.g. the Modwheel. Make sure you have enough grain density.