Synthesound manual?
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moogplayer
- Vic 20 Newbie
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:30 pm
Synthesound manual?
Anyone have this? Would sure save me a lot of time. Couldn't find it online -- thanks!!!
-
vicassembly
- Vic 20 Devotee
- Posts: 253
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:40 pm
-
vicassembly
- Vic 20 Devotee
- Posts: 253
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:40 pm
As always, if you have a scanner and the time to do it, please scan the manual and send it to DLH over at bombjack.org. His archive has become the place to go for books, manuals, and magazines relating to Commodore computers.
Bacon
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Das rubbernecken Sichtseeren keepen das cotton-pickenen Hands in die Pockets muss; relaxen und watschen die Blinkenlichten.
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Das rubbernecken Sichtseeren keepen das cotton-pickenen Hands in die Pockets muss; relaxen und watschen die Blinkenlichten.
I have the manual but no scanner.Bacon wrote:As always, if you have a scanner and the time to do it, please scan the manual...
I will try to get a relative or friend to do it.FCUG celebrating 30 years,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org
Re: Synthesound manual?
Here are some transcribed bits from the manual to help get you started.moogplayer wrote:Anyone have this? Would sure save me a lot of time.
From page 1:
Hello, there! You have entered the exciting world of SYNTHESOUND. This up-to-date synthesizer features 12 controls, a 2 octave fast-attack keyboard, 3 voices, a 4 1/2 octave range, a High-Resolution display of Controls and Keyboard fingering, E Z CODED songs, a 4 voice sequencer for repeating melodies or drum beats, and other music synthesis features.
From page 3:
Turn off the VIC-20 Computer. Now plug in your SYNTHESOUND cartridge. Turn on your VIC-20 and the program will run automatically. Before hitting the F1 key to start the program you can center the image by using the cursor movement keys.
You will see on your screen 12 boxes and a long numbered section at the bottom of the screen. Your SYNTHESOUND is now ready to play.
The top row of the VIC keyboard is used as the black notes of a piano, the next row is for the white notes. The second row equals the natural notes, for example: A, B, C, and so on. The top row equals the sharps and flats (ommitting certain keys because there are no black notes there) for example: 1 is C sharp, 2 is D sharp, 3 is note used since there is no black note between E and F. Note: the lowest note is C, the back arrow key, in the upper-left, and high C, the home key, the 2nd highest note. Both are on the top row.
From page 4:
Press the U key. You will see a number of the indicators (simulated Light Emitting Diodes or LED's) turning on and off on different controls and hear a note build up in volume. That note is the "middle C" of this synthesizer. Now press the R key. That note is G.
Congratulations! You now have computer-synthesizer experience!
From page 5:
NOTE = VIC......................NOTE = VIC
C = 'LEFT ARROW'.............C sharp = '1'
D = 'Q'.............................D sharp = '2'
E = 'W'
F = ' E'.............................F sharp = '4'
G = 'R'.............................G sharp = '5'
A = 'T'..............................A sharp = '6'
B = 'Y'
C = 'U'..............................C sharp = '8'
D = 'I'...............................D sharp = '9'
E = 'O'
F = 'P'...............................F sharp = '+'
G = '@'.............................G sharp = '-'
A = '*'...............................A sharp = 'POUND'
B = 'UP ARROW'
C = 'HOME'........................C sharp = 'DEL'
From page 6:
So far you have been in PLAYER MODE. Below is an example of how to change modes and enter PROGRAMMER MODE. PROGRAMMER MODE is another type of synthesizer operation. It is the mode that you use the program the synthesizer by setting the controls.
To switch modes press the long space bar key. The screen will do some interesting graphics as you go through modes.
Now you are in PROGRAMMER MODE and you are controlling VC01. You can see that you are controlling VC01 because the LED for VC01's octave (4) is blinking.
From VC01 control you can EXIT PROGRAMMER MODE and return to PLAYER MODE by pressing the space bar.
It might interest you to know that you can view the NOTES that you are playing on a computer simulated keyboard! Press the "HOME" key. This is one of the finest features of the SYNTHESOUND system, the high-resolution graphic piano keyboard that is now at the bottom of the screen. You can remove it by pressing the DEL key.
Set up the PIANO DISPLAY in PROGRAMMER MODE and return to PLAYER MODE. You can press a note on the VIC-20 keyboard, and the piano keyboard willbe played by a graphic color-coded square appearing ON THE PIANO DISPLAY of the note. Voice 1 (VC01) is represented by a small yellow square, voice 2 (VC02) red, and voice 3 (VC03) blue. These are the three
From page 7:
voices; if they are all set the same (setting is next to letters VC01, VC02, AND VC03) then the color square is a mixture of them.
KEY.......................USE
SPACE BAR............switches PGMR/PLYR MODES
RETURN.................takes you to next control
UP ARROW.............takes you to VC01, up or down the controls
CURSOR DOWN.......increments values
CURSOR UP............decrements values
HOME.....................displays piano keyboard
DEL........................erases piano keyboard
The beginning of the 24-page manual,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org
More snippets from the Synthesound manual:
From page 8:
PROGRAMMER MODE
The controls are grouped as follows: Voltage Controlled Oscillators VC01, VC02, and VC03 are the three voices.
Low Frequency Oscillators LF01, LF02, and LF03 are independant filters. They make vibrato effects (vibrations in the voices). LF01 works on VC01, LF02 works on VC02 and LF03 works on VC03. LF04 is special. It makes a tremolo effect control on the master volume.
VCA is the master volume monitor and control.
The ADSRs are Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release controls. The ADSR1 allows LF01 to affect VC01, ADSR2 allows LF02 to affect VC02, ADSR3 allows LF03 allows LF03 to affect VC03. ADSR4 controls the Attack Time, Delay Time, Sustain Time, and Release Time controls on the volume. This control is just about the most important since it directs the overall master volume.
From page 9:
PROGRAMMER MODE CONTROLS
You have control over 3 oscillators. They are the first 3 controls: (Voltage Controlled Oscillators) VC01, VC02, and VC03. They are all set on 'C' with VC01 on the highest octave.
Low Frequency Oscillators modify the pitch made by the oscillator. You have control over the vibrato modification rates of LF01, LF02 AND LF03. LF01 modifies VC01 depending on ADSR1, LF02 modifies VC02 depending on ADSR2, LF03 modifies VC03 depending on ADSR3. They all work separately giving you a lot of control. LF04 is an overall modifier that makes tremolo effects. The VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier) monitors and maximizes the amplification (volume).
There are many different types of music production under computer control. Some are: Sound generation and wave forming, timing operations in playback, routing and modulating, simulation, and many more. Modifying the ADSR envelope is the first step to a grand understanding of music synthesis. SYNTHESOUND users, by knowing the tools of sound shaping can create from a broader choice of sounds, and have more freedom to create with the understanding of the controls.
From page 10:
The ENVELOPE is a detailed display or control over how the sound "looks" from start to end. A common ENVELOPE is the ADSR ENVELOPE. This envelope shows or controls the [A]TTACK TIME, [D]ECAY TIME, [S]USTAIN TIME, and [R]ELEASE TIME. We want to find out our controls over these parts of a sound and all of the ways that we can use them.
From page 11:
The DECAY part of a sound is a sophisticated second-step part of the sound. Immediately after ATTACK the sound may: die down completely (no sustain) in one slope back down to silent again, or it may go to another level in between and sustain that second level as in the examples shown.
SYNTHESOUND make this use of the DECAY: when there IS modulation by LF0 in the DECAY part of one of the VC0 voices, if you press a note, the amplitude height of the graph goes up to peak and then DECAYs straight from PEAK to silent. If the key is RELEASED during the slope from DECAY TO SILENT, the note does not die, but goes to the release part with the height that it was at when it was released.
SUSTAIN TIME is the time between the ATTACK or ATTACK / DECAY and RELEASE. Again, if there is a DECAY amount then the SUSTAIN part is not used. Again, if there is a DECAY amount then the SUSTAIN part is not used.
If you press down a note, you can usually stop pressing the note before it dies out. If you do this, the sound goes into the RELEASE Time part of the sound. The RELEASE is what happens to the sound after the note is no longer pressed.
All of these parts of the sound can be viewed by watching the LED's indicate what is going on while you play and watch. Together the slopes create a vehicle for the sound to be shaped and timed just right, the ADSR ENVELOPE.
FCUG celebrating 30 years,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org
From page 8:
PROGRAMMER MODE
The controls are grouped as follows: Voltage Controlled Oscillators VC01, VC02, and VC03 are the three voices.
Low Frequency Oscillators LF01, LF02, and LF03 are independant filters. They make vibrato effects (vibrations in the voices). LF01 works on VC01, LF02 works on VC02 and LF03 works on VC03. LF04 is special. It makes a tremolo effect control on the master volume.
VCA is the master volume monitor and control.
The ADSRs are Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release controls. The ADSR1 allows LF01 to affect VC01, ADSR2 allows LF02 to affect VC02, ADSR3 allows LF03 allows LF03 to affect VC03. ADSR4 controls the Attack Time, Delay Time, Sustain Time, and Release Time controls on the volume. This control is just about the most important since it directs the overall master volume.
From page 9:
PROGRAMMER MODE CONTROLS
You have control over 3 oscillators. They are the first 3 controls: (Voltage Controlled Oscillators) VC01, VC02, and VC03. They are all set on 'C' with VC01 on the highest octave.
Low Frequency Oscillators modify the pitch made by the oscillator. You have control over the vibrato modification rates of LF01, LF02 AND LF03. LF01 modifies VC01 depending on ADSR1, LF02 modifies VC02 depending on ADSR2, LF03 modifies VC03 depending on ADSR3. They all work separately giving you a lot of control. LF04 is an overall modifier that makes tremolo effects. The VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier) monitors and maximizes the amplification (volume).
There are many different types of music production under computer control. Some are: Sound generation and wave forming, timing operations in playback, routing and modulating, simulation, and many more. Modifying the ADSR envelope is the first step to a grand understanding of music synthesis. SYNTHESOUND users, by knowing the tools of sound shaping can create from a broader choice of sounds, and have more freedom to create with the understanding of the controls.
From page 10:
The ENVELOPE is a detailed display or control over how the sound "looks" from start to end. A common ENVELOPE is the ADSR ENVELOPE. This envelope shows or controls the [A]TTACK TIME, [D]ECAY TIME, [S]USTAIN TIME, and [R]ELEASE TIME. We want to find out our controls over these parts of a sound and all of the ways that we can use them.
From page 11:
The DECAY part of a sound is a sophisticated second-step part of the sound. Immediately after ATTACK the sound may: die down completely (no sustain) in one slope back down to silent again, or it may go to another level in between and sustain that second level as in the examples shown.
SYNTHESOUND make this use of the DECAY: when there IS modulation by LF0 in the DECAY part of one of the VC0 voices, if you press a note, the amplitude height of the graph goes up to peak and then DECAYs straight from PEAK to silent. If the key is RELEASED during the slope from DECAY TO SILENT, the note does not die, but goes to the release part with the height that it was at when it was released.
SUSTAIN TIME is the time between the ATTACK or ATTACK / DECAY and RELEASE. Again, if there is a DECAY amount then the SUSTAIN part is not used. Again, if there is a DECAY amount then the SUSTAIN part is not used.
If you press down a note, you can usually stop pressing the note before it dies out. If you do this, the sound goes into the RELEASE Time part of the sound. The RELEASE is what happens to the sound after the note is no longer pressed.
All of these parts of the sound can be viewed by watching the LED's indicate what is going on while you play and watch. Together the slopes create a vehicle for the sound to be shaped and timed just right, the ADSR ENVELOPE.
FCUG celebrating 30 years,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org
And the bits of Synthesound information continue --
From page 12:
VC01 is the first control as you enter Programmer Mode. When the control is on VC01 you may: 1) Leave Programmer Mode by pressing the space bar; 2) Get the graphic keyboard by pressing the space bar; 3) Erase the graphic keyboard (view sequencer) by pressing the DEL key; 4) Enter Sequencer Programming Mode by pressing the F1 key; 5) Vary the settings of VC01; 6) Go through VC01 control by pressing return.
From the electric circuitry octave scales are created. Naturally it is done by halving or doubling lengths of pipe, string or size of instrument struck. SYNTHESOUND uses halved and doubled numbers to describe the octaves.
When CONTROLLING VC01, you have your three octaves displayed in front of you: 8, 4, and 2. You will see the LED blinking under the 8 (the lowest octave). Press the cursor right key, the LED under 4 blinks indicating that you have changed (up 1) octave. Do this again and the LED under 2 now blinks. Again and the LED disappears indicating that the voice is not to be played. Once again and the LED blinks under 8 again (wrapping around). Select by pressing RETURN. If there was no number next to VC01, a number will appear. Now change the number of half steps above 'C" with cursor down and cursor right keys, select one of the octaves or
From page 13:
silence that VC by pressing return. You are now controlling VC02. Pressing RETURN takes you to the next control and completely through programmer mode. Up arrow takes you to VC01, (the shorter of) either forward or reverse so you only have to press up arrow about 5 times and you will be there.
Here are some other possible uses of the VC0's: To set a drone voice (a voice that stays on one note regardless of what note is pressed), turn on the oscillator, go to PLAYER MODE, play the note that you want (the last note that you play is stored), and go to PROGRAMMER MODE. Now turn the oscillator off and when you return to PLAYER MODE that voice stays on the note that you last entered. All voices can not be drones. Try setting the voices on differnet notes, make chords if possible. To turn off a voice: turn on the oscillator, enter and leave PLAYER MODE without playing. Now turn off the oscillator.
VC02 is the middle oscillator, it is set on the 'middle C' of this synthesizer, equivalent to B flat on a 'concert tuned' instrument. You can change the octave or turn off VC02 with cursor down, and cursor right keys. The LEDs will go through the cycle 16, 8, 4, off, 16 again. Select by pressing return. Now change the number of half steps above 'Middle C' with cursor down and cursor right keys, select by pressing return.
From page 14:
VC03 is set on 'C' below 'Middle C' of this synthesizer. This is the lowest oscillator available, try some bass notes with VC03. Set the octave and number of half steps as above.
LF01 is a Low Frequency Oscillator that modifies the pitch created by VC01. The modification is 'vibrato' (wavering of the frequency) on the original pitch.
It starts out at 0 which is a real amount as far as SYNTHESOUND is concerned. This just means that it is set to be very slow in its initial state. LF01 only work as specified by ADSR1. If ADSR1 has no values at all, LF01 will not modify the sound from VC01. Depending upon which section of ADSR1 you place values in you can make VC01 waver with the vibrato rate of LF01 amount.
Use cursor down and cursor right to increase or decrease the number of the amount, select with the return key. The value may be specified from 0 (slow) to 20 (very fast). Settings above 20 are possible, only not visible. Suggested setting is about 3 for slow, 10 for fast, but if you want effects, try about 20.
From page 15:
LF02 is a Low Frequency Oscillator that modifies (makes vibrato on) VC02 as determined by ADSR2. It works the same as LF01 works on VC01 as determined by ADSR1. See the information on LF01. The LF0s are independent, and they create very interesting effects when set differently.
LF03 modifies VC03 (with vibrato) as determined by ADSR3. See above.
Low Frequency Oscillator 4 is separate from LF0s 1 - 3, and modifies the RELEASE of the overall sound. It is a tremolo effect, which is volume increasing and decreasing at a fast rate making a broken up sound.
It can be set from 0 (none) to 3 (medium). Use the cursor down and cursor right keyst ot set it, press return to select.
FCUG celebrating 30 years,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org
From page 12:
VC01 is the first control as you enter Programmer Mode. When the control is on VC01 you may: 1) Leave Programmer Mode by pressing the space bar; 2) Get the graphic keyboard by pressing the space bar; 3) Erase the graphic keyboard (view sequencer) by pressing the DEL key; 4) Enter Sequencer Programming Mode by pressing the F1 key; 5) Vary the settings of VC01; 6) Go through VC01 control by pressing return.
From the electric circuitry octave scales are created. Naturally it is done by halving or doubling lengths of pipe, string or size of instrument struck. SYNTHESOUND uses halved and doubled numbers to describe the octaves.
When CONTROLLING VC01, you have your three octaves displayed in front of you: 8, 4, and 2. You will see the LED blinking under the 8 (the lowest octave). Press the cursor right key, the LED under 4 blinks indicating that you have changed (up 1) octave. Do this again and the LED under 2 now blinks. Again and the LED disappears indicating that the voice is not to be played. Once again and the LED blinks under 8 again (wrapping around). Select by pressing RETURN. If there was no number next to VC01, a number will appear. Now change the number of half steps above 'C" with cursor down and cursor right keys, select one of the octaves or
From page 13:
silence that VC by pressing return. You are now controlling VC02. Pressing RETURN takes you to the next control and completely through programmer mode. Up arrow takes you to VC01, (the shorter of) either forward or reverse so you only have to press up arrow about 5 times and you will be there.
Here are some other possible uses of the VC0's: To set a drone voice (a voice that stays on one note regardless of what note is pressed), turn on the oscillator, go to PLAYER MODE, play the note that you want (the last note that you play is stored), and go to PROGRAMMER MODE. Now turn the oscillator off and when you return to PLAYER MODE that voice stays on the note that you last entered. All voices can not be drones. Try setting the voices on differnet notes, make chords if possible. To turn off a voice: turn on the oscillator, enter and leave PLAYER MODE without playing. Now turn off the oscillator.
VC02 is the middle oscillator, it is set on the 'middle C' of this synthesizer, equivalent to B flat on a 'concert tuned' instrument. You can change the octave or turn off VC02 with cursor down, and cursor right keys. The LEDs will go through the cycle 16, 8, 4, off, 16 again. Select by pressing return. Now change the number of half steps above 'Middle C' with cursor down and cursor right keys, select by pressing return.
From page 14:
VC03 is set on 'C' below 'Middle C' of this synthesizer. This is the lowest oscillator available, try some bass notes with VC03. Set the octave and number of half steps as above.
LF01 is a Low Frequency Oscillator that modifies the pitch created by VC01. The modification is 'vibrato' (wavering of the frequency) on the original pitch.
It starts out at 0 which is a real amount as far as SYNTHESOUND is concerned. This just means that it is set to be very slow in its initial state. LF01 only work as specified by ADSR1. If ADSR1 has no values at all, LF01 will not modify the sound from VC01. Depending upon which section of ADSR1 you place values in you can make VC01 waver with the vibrato rate of LF01 amount.
Use cursor down and cursor right to increase or decrease the number of the amount, select with the return key. The value may be specified from 0 (slow) to 20 (very fast). Settings above 20 are possible, only not visible. Suggested setting is about 3 for slow, 10 for fast, but if you want effects, try about 20.
From page 15:
LF02 is a Low Frequency Oscillator that modifies (makes vibrato on) VC02 as determined by ADSR2. It works the same as LF01 works on VC01 as determined by ADSR1. See the information on LF01. The LF0s are independent, and they create very interesting effects when set differently.
LF03 modifies VC03 (with vibrato) as determined by ADSR3. See above.
Low Frequency Oscillator 4 is separate from LF0s 1 - 3, and modifies the RELEASE of the overall sound. It is a tremolo effect, which is volume increasing and decreasing at a fast rate making a broken up sound.
It can be set from 0 (none) to 3 (medium). Use the cursor down and cursor right keyst ot set it, press return to select.
FCUG celebrating 30 years,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org
Just 3 more pages after this --
From page 16:
VCA is the Voltage Controlled Amplification of the sounds combined. It is the master volume monitor and control. When you are CONTROLLING the VCA a question mark appears under the LEDs. Change the value with the cursor down and cursor right keys, select with the return key. It is a maximum volume control, from 1 to 13.
When viewed in PLAYER MODE the LEDs give a graphic representation of the volume when a note is played. At highest volume the rightmost LED is on. At lowest volume, the leftmost LED is on.
ADSR allows you to put vibrato effect in the ATTACK, DECAY, SUSTAIN and RELEASE parts of voice VC01. You may want to review the ADSR ENVELOPE in session 4, page 21. Initially ADSR1 is set at 0,0,0,0 so there is no vibrato effect on VC01 at all. The speed of the vibrato effect is controlled by LF01. For trying different ADSR1 settings you should set LF01 to 8.
When you start controlling ADSR1 you will see a question mark '?' under the A first and a number to the side (initially 0). Use the cursor down and
From page 17:
cursor right to change the setting, select with the return key, then the question mark will move to the next part, D, and so through all of the ADSRs.
To make the sound start up with a vibrato effect, put 1 in the ATTACK part. The sound starts up slowly, with vibrato effect in it. To make the sound end with vibrato put 15 in the RELEASE part.
This is how special effects can be made and tied together. For example if you set ADSR1 to 1,1,0,10 then you can have three types of vibration in one sound! There are more example settings in [page 22-23].
ADSR2 allows vibrato effect in any part of VC02's ATTACK, DECAY, SUSTAIN or RELEASE. The speed of the vibrato effect is controlled by LF02. ADSR2 works exactly the same as ADSR1, please see the previous information.
ADSR3 allows vibrato effect in any of the 4 ADSR3 parts of VC03. LF03 controls the speed of the vibrato effect. ADSR3 works exactly the same as ADSR1, please see the previous information on ADSR1.
From page 18:
ADSR4 is the master volume shaper, allowing you to program the envelope or shape of the master volume. One of the biggest distinctions between instrument's sounds is the way that the master volume is shaped. This is an excellent control for testing and creating. You may want to review the ADSR envelope in... page [9].
Here is a handy reference: LOW ATTACK = quick to peak volume. HIGH ATTACK = slow to peak volume. LOW DECAY = quick from peak to silent. HIGH DECAY = slow drop from peak to silent. LOW SUSTAIN = short duration while key is held down. HIGH SUSTAIN = long duration while key is held down. LOW RELEASE = quick drop to silent. HIGH RELEASE = slow drop to silent.
From page 19:
PROGRAMMING THE SEQUENCER
Lets look into the most up-to-date feature of SYNTHESOUND, the 4-voice programmable sequencer. With the sequencer, you can repeat melodies or rhythm patterns (drum lines) with a maximum of 20 notes or rests (silence between notes). The patterns you create may be at a set tempo (playing speed) or you may create patterns and speed them up or slow them down as they repeat. This state-of-the-art feature makes the VIC-20 into a very useful addition to any musicians equipment. Using the sequencer, SYNTHESOUND actually plays itself, allowing the user to play along and be a one-man band which is the way many contemporary songs are created and performed.
To use the sequencer you must be in Programmer Mode and erase the graphic piano keyboard on the bottom of the screen. Now you can see the 20 LEDs and their numbers, 1 to 20. These are the 20 note registers that we can program. You should have a good idea of the entire melody and the timing of each note and rest. The control must be on VC01 to start. The VIC-20 keys that are used to program the sequencer are: F1 = START; F3 = SKIP; F5 = SELECT; F7 = RESTART.
Press F1. Yo will see a question mark '?' and the letters VC01 on sequencer panel. The sequencer is asking if the melody is to use the voice of VC01. Answer with the F3 (skip) or F5 (select). It will continue to ask about VC02 and VC03, and then VC04. VCO4 is a noise generator,
From page 20:
used to make rhythm patterns.
After you have selected the voice(s) that you want, the LED above 1 turns on. Now you choose note 1 by pressing one of the notes on the VIC-20 two octave keyboard and then selecting it by pressing F5 (select). Now the number underneath goes to 0 waiting for you to enter the duration of the note in 20ths of a second with the cursor down and cursor right keys, select with F1 (select). After you have entered the note into register 1, then the duration of the note, the LED above 2 turns on. If you want a rest (silence), press F3 (skip) and enter and select the duration. Press return when you are through.
Now turn off all of the oscillators, VC01, VC02, and VC03 (see page [12] for review). Press the space bar and go to Player Mode. Your melody will play back to you now! Press different keys while it is playing to speed it up!
Try this for fun: In SEQUENCER PROGRAMMING MODE: enter 9 0 9 U , and give the notes high duration values. This melody just might surprise you!
You can go back into SEQUENCER PROGRAMMING MODE and change the voice(s), add to your melody, or try turning on the oscillators for some funny effects! I think making arrangements is the way to go, giving SYNTHESOUND the basic track and then singing and playing other instruments on top.
From page 21:
Congratulations! And good luck in your application of SYNTHESOUND. Remember you learned it here, and next time someone asks what instrument you play, just tell them, “I play the computer!
From page 16:
VCA is the Voltage Controlled Amplification of the sounds combined. It is the master volume monitor and control. When you are CONTROLLING the VCA a question mark appears under the LEDs. Change the value with the cursor down and cursor right keys, select with the return key. It is a maximum volume control, from 1 to 13.
When viewed in PLAYER MODE the LEDs give a graphic representation of the volume when a note is played. At highest volume the rightmost LED is on. At lowest volume, the leftmost LED is on.
ADSR allows you to put vibrato effect in the ATTACK, DECAY, SUSTAIN and RELEASE parts of voice VC01. You may want to review the ADSR ENVELOPE in session 4, page 21. Initially ADSR1 is set at 0,0,0,0 so there is no vibrato effect on VC01 at all. The speed of the vibrato effect is controlled by LF01. For trying different ADSR1 settings you should set LF01 to 8.
When you start controlling ADSR1 you will see a question mark '?' under the A first and a number to the side (initially 0). Use the cursor down and
From page 17:
cursor right to change the setting, select with the return key, then the question mark will move to the next part, D, and so through all of the ADSRs.
To make the sound start up with a vibrato effect, put 1 in the ATTACK part. The sound starts up slowly, with vibrato effect in it. To make the sound end with vibrato put 15 in the RELEASE part.
This is how special effects can be made and tied together. For example if you set ADSR1 to 1,1,0,10 then you can have three types of vibration in one sound! There are more example settings in [page 22-23].
ADSR2 allows vibrato effect in any part of VC02's ATTACK, DECAY, SUSTAIN or RELEASE. The speed of the vibrato effect is controlled by LF02. ADSR2 works exactly the same as ADSR1, please see the previous information.
ADSR3 allows vibrato effect in any of the 4 ADSR3 parts of VC03. LF03 controls the speed of the vibrato effect. ADSR3 works exactly the same as ADSR1, please see the previous information on ADSR1.
From page 18:
ADSR4 is the master volume shaper, allowing you to program the envelope or shape of the master volume. One of the biggest distinctions between instrument's sounds is the way that the master volume is shaped. This is an excellent control for testing and creating. You may want to review the ADSR envelope in... page [9].
Here is a handy reference: LOW ATTACK = quick to peak volume. HIGH ATTACK = slow to peak volume. LOW DECAY = quick from peak to silent. HIGH DECAY = slow drop from peak to silent. LOW SUSTAIN = short duration while key is held down. HIGH SUSTAIN = long duration while key is held down. LOW RELEASE = quick drop to silent. HIGH RELEASE = slow drop to silent.
From page 19:
PROGRAMMING THE SEQUENCER
Lets look into the most up-to-date feature of SYNTHESOUND, the 4-voice programmable sequencer. With the sequencer, you can repeat melodies or rhythm patterns (drum lines) with a maximum of 20 notes or rests (silence between notes). The patterns you create may be at a set tempo (playing speed) or you may create patterns and speed them up or slow them down as they repeat. This state-of-the-art feature makes the VIC-20 into a very useful addition to any musicians equipment. Using the sequencer, SYNTHESOUND actually plays itself, allowing the user to play along and be a one-man band which is the way many contemporary songs are created and performed.
To use the sequencer you must be in Programmer Mode and erase the graphic piano keyboard on the bottom of the screen. Now you can see the 20 LEDs and their numbers, 1 to 20. These are the 20 note registers that we can program. You should have a good idea of the entire melody and the timing of each note and rest. The control must be on VC01 to start. The VIC-20 keys that are used to program the sequencer are: F1 = START; F3 = SKIP; F5 = SELECT; F7 = RESTART.
Press F1. Yo will see a question mark '?' and the letters VC01 on sequencer panel. The sequencer is asking if the melody is to use the voice of VC01. Answer with the F3 (skip) or F5 (select). It will continue to ask about VC02 and VC03, and then VC04. VCO4 is a noise generator,
From page 20:
used to make rhythm patterns.
After you have selected the voice(s) that you want, the LED above 1 turns on. Now you choose note 1 by pressing one of the notes on the VIC-20 two octave keyboard and then selecting it by pressing F5 (select). Now the number underneath goes to 0 waiting for you to enter the duration of the note in 20ths of a second with the cursor down and cursor right keys, select with F1 (select). After you have entered the note into register 1, then the duration of the note, the LED above 2 turns on. If you want a rest (silence), press F3 (skip) and enter and select the duration. Press return when you are through.
Now turn off all of the oscillators, VC01, VC02, and VC03 (see page [12] for review). Press the space bar and go to Player Mode. Your melody will play back to you now! Press different keys while it is playing to speed it up!
Try this for fun: In SEQUENCER PROGRAMMING MODE: enter 9 0 9 U , and give the notes high duration values. This melody just might surprise you!
You can go back into SEQUENCER PROGRAMMING MODE and change the voice(s), add to your melody, or try turning on the oscillators for some funny effects! I think making arrangements is the way to go, giving SYNTHESOUND the basic track and then singing and playing other instruments on top.
From page 21:
Congratulations! And good luck in your application of SYNTHESOUND. Remember you learned it here, and next time someone asks what instrument you play, just tell them, “I play the computer!
The last pages of the manual. Now 95% of the manual has been transcribed (I left off the paragraphs on music theory) --
From page 22:
EXAMPLES AND USES
Bagpipes.......VC01 octave 2, steps 2, VC03 octave 4, steps 2, VC03 off, LF0s off, ADSRs all off.
Bass.......VC01 off, VC02 octave 8, step 1, VC03 octave 32, step 1, LF0s off, ADSRs 1-3 off, ADSR4 0,10,0,1.
Brass instruments.......VC01 octave 8, step 5, VC02 and 3 off, LF0s off, ADSRs 1-3 off, ADSR4 0,0,20,1.
Cello.......VC01 octave 8, step 0, VC02 octave 16, step 0, VC03 octave 32, step 0, LF0s off, ADSRs 1-3 off, ADSR4 5,5,0,2.
C Chord.......VC01 octave 4, step 7, VC02 octave 8, step 4, VC03 octave 16, step 0, LF01, 2 and 3 off, ADSR 1, 2 and 3 off, ADSR4 8,0,0,2.
Piano.......VC01 octave 4, step 0, VC02 octave 8, step 0, VC03 off, LF0s off, ADSRs 1-3 off, ADSR4 0,6,01.
Flute.......VC01 octave 4, step 0, VC02 and 3 off, LF0s off, ADSRs 1-3 off, ADSR4 1,0,0,2.
SYNTHESOUND.......VC01, 2 and 3 are octave 8, step 0, LF0s set at 2, ADSRs 1, 2 and 3 set at 0,1,0,0, ADSR4 0,0,0,1.
OUTER SPACE PANIC....... VC01 and VC02 octave 8, step 0, VC03 octave 16, step 0, LF01 15, LF02 20, LF03 30 (Approx.), LF04 off, ADSR1, 2 and 3 0,8,0,0, ADSR4 0,0,0,1.
From page 23:
Chord............VC01 octave 4, step 7, VC02 octave 8, step 4, VC03 octave 16, step 0, LF0's off, ADSR1, 2 and 3 off, ADSR4 8,0,0,2.
Violin.......VC01 octave 4, step 0, VC02 and 3 off, LF0s off, ADSRs 1-3 off, ADSR4 12,20,0,3.
To try the LF0s, put a 1 in the 'A' of one of the ADSRs. For an effect, put 1 in the 'R' of an ADSR. Change the LF0 setting for that ADSR also.
From page 24:
GLOSSARY
ADSR..........The four parts of a sound - attack, decay, sustain, and release.
Amplifier.....Electronic device that increases amplitude (strength).
Attack.........The time it takes from silence to full volume.
Decay.........The time from full volume to silence in straight slope.
Envelope......A graphic diagram of a sound or effect from beginning to end.
Frequency.....Speed of vibrations that make pitches. Measured in Hertz per second.
LF0...........Low Frequency Oscillator, used to modify other oscillations.
Oscillator....Device with voltage inputs that produces waveforms and sounds.
Release.......The duration of the note after the key is released.
Sequencer.....Device that repeats melodies and sounds previously programmed in.
Sustain.......The duration of the note while the key is held down.
Voltage.......Activates (powers) many devices. Variance (+ or -) is control.
VCA...........Voltage Controlled Amplifier, the volume control.
VC0...........Voltage Controlled Oscillator. Creates specified oscillations (sounds).
Finally done,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org
From page 22:
EXAMPLES AND USES
Bagpipes.......VC01 octave 2, steps 2, VC03 octave 4, steps 2, VC03 off, LF0s off, ADSRs all off.
Bass.......VC01 off, VC02 octave 8, step 1, VC03 octave 32, step 1, LF0s off, ADSRs 1-3 off, ADSR4 0,10,0,1.
Brass instruments.......VC01 octave 8, step 5, VC02 and 3 off, LF0s off, ADSRs 1-3 off, ADSR4 0,0,20,1.
Cello.......VC01 octave 8, step 0, VC02 octave 16, step 0, VC03 octave 32, step 0, LF0s off, ADSRs 1-3 off, ADSR4 5,5,0,2.
C Chord.......VC01 octave 4, step 7, VC02 octave 8, step 4, VC03 octave 16, step 0, LF01, 2 and 3 off, ADSR 1, 2 and 3 off, ADSR4 8,0,0,2.
Piano.......VC01 octave 4, step 0, VC02 octave 8, step 0, VC03 off, LF0s off, ADSRs 1-3 off, ADSR4 0,6,01.
Flute.......VC01 octave 4, step 0, VC02 and 3 off, LF0s off, ADSRs 1-3 off, ADSR4 1,0,0,2.
SYNTHESOUND.......VC01, 2 and 3 are octave 8, step 0, LF0s set at 2, ADSRs 1, 2 and 3 set at 0,1,0,0, ADSR4 0,0,0,1.
OUTER SPACE PANIC....... VC01 and VC02 octave 8, step 0, VC03 octave 16, step 0, LF01 15, LF02 20, LF03 30 (Approx.), LF04 off, ADSR1, 2 and 3 0,8,0,0, ADSR4 0,0,0,1.
From page 23:
Chord............VC01 octave 4, step 7, VC02 octave 8, step 4, VC03 octave 16, step 0, LF0's off, ADSR1, 2 and 3 off, ADSR4 8,0,0,2.
Violin.......VC01 octave 4, step 0, VC02 and 3 off, LF0s off, ADSRs 1-3 off, ADSR4 12,20,0,3.
To try the LF0s, put a 1 in the 'A' of one of the ADSRs. For an effect, put 1 in the 'R' of an ADSR. Change the LF0 setting for that ADSR also.
From page 24:
GLOSSARY
ADSR..........The four parts of a sound - attack, decay, sustain, and release.
Amplifier.....Electronic device that increases amplitude (strength).
Attack.........The time it takes from silence to full volume.
Decay.........The time from full volume to silence in straight slope.
Envelope......A graphic diagram of a sound or effect from beginning to end.
Frequency.....Speed of vibrations that make pitches. Measured in Hertz per second.
LF0...........Low Frequency Oscillator, used to modify other oscillations.
Oscillator....Device with voltage inputs that produces waveforms and sounds.
Release.......The duration of the note after the key is released.
Sequencer.....Device that repeats melodies and sounds previously programmed in.
Sustain.......The duration of the note while the key is held down.
Voltage.......Activates (powers) many devices. Variance (+ or -) is control.
VCA...........Voltage Controlled Amplifier, the volume control.
VC0...........Voltage Controlled Oscillator. Creates specified oscillations (sounds).
Finally done,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org
.