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Synth View

If someone tells you a rule, break it. That's the only way things move forward.

— Hans Zimmer

Master​

This module was added in version 1.33 of Pegboard.

The master module controls the synth engine parameters. The module can be disabled to mute output.

  • Voices: The number of voices to allocate. Up to 16 voices are supported. Oscillator unison is independent of this.
  • Bend: Controls the bend range of the pitch bend slider. The steps are in semitones.
  • Volume: The overall volume of the output. This parameter is not linked to your device volume.

Glide​

This module was added in version 1.33 of Pegboard.

The glide module controls the pitch glide or portamento of the synth. It works with any number of voices. The module must be enabled to enable glide.

  • Time: The amount of time spent gliding between notes.
  • Curve: Controls the curvature of the slide segment. It morphs from a linear to an exponential curve.
  • Scaled: Scales the glide to the note range. Longer intervals will have a longer glide time.
  • Legato: Only glide overlapping notes.

OSC​

The two oscillator modules are versatile sound generators, equipped with a collection of 25 wavetables. These wavetables act as foundational sound sources, each offering its own distinctive tonal characteristics for shaping your sound. The oscillator display shows the currently selected wavetable.

  • Wave: The wave dropdown menu selects the wavetable for the oscillator. Wavetables are pre-recorded sets of waveforms that can be used to shape the sound of the oscillator.
  • Tuning: There are three included tuning parameters. They are octave, coarse, and fine. Octave is commonly adjusted on both oscillators to quickly change the richness and depth of the generated sound. Coarse adjusts in semitones and fine adjusts in cents.
  • Position: The selected position within the current wavetable. Modulating the position parameter dynamically can create evolving and shifting timbral textures in the sound. Wavetables can include up to 256 frames.
  • Unison: Unison refers to the number of voices that the oscillator generates and detunes slightly to create a thicker, richer sound. Increasing this parameter also consumes more CPU resources due to the increased voice count.
  • Spread: The stereo width of unison voices. At zero spread, the unison voices are centered and play in mono. Increasing the spread parameter creates a wider stereo separation between the voices.
  • Pan: The balance between the left and right channels. This parameter can be used creatively to position the sound within the stereo field or to create interesting movement.
  • Level: The output gain of the oscillator module.

Noise​

The noise module uses a randomization algorithm to generate a stereo signal in real time. It's typically used to add texture to a sound but can also be used for generating sweeps and cymbal sounds. The module features an XY controller which controls the pan and level.

  • Type: The type of generated noise. This includes white, pink, and digital.
  • Width: Stereo width of the signal. Position the noise signal anywhere from a focused center to a wide, enveloping presence.
  • Pan: The balance between the left and right channels.
  • Level: The output gain of the noise module.

Filter​

The filter module is a virtual analog filter that brings nuanced tone-shaping capabilities to your sound design. The display visually represents the filter response curve.

  • Type: Choose from lowpass (LP), bandpass (BP), and highpass (HP) filters. Each includes a 12 db/oct and 24 db/oct variant for controlling the slope.
  • Cutoff: The filter's frequency cutoff point. This knob is scaled to make it easier to adjust low frequencies.
  • Res: Enhances the prominence of frequencies near the cutoff point for added character and presence.
  • Drive: Adds saturation and overdrive to the signal enabling you to add warmth and intensity.

LFO​

The LFO module includes four signal generators, which are accessed via the tabs along the top. The LFO editor allows you to draw custom shapes. Double-tap the background to create handles and double tap on a handle to remove it. The filled handles allow you to adjust the segment curvature.

  • Shape: Replaces the current waveform with a preset shape.
  • Frequency/Rate: The oscillation speed of the LFO, determining how quickly it cycles through its waveform. This parameter is essential for shaping the timing and rhythm of your modulations.
  • Delay: Introduces a delayed onset to the LFO modulation, allowing your sound to gradually transition into the modulated state after a set time interval.
  • Smooth: Smooths out and softens abrupt changes in the LFO waveform.
  • Random: Introduces randomness into the generated signal.
  • Sync: Synchronize the LFO's rate to the internal clock, ensuring rhythmic alignment and synchronization with other elements in your composition. The internal clock tempo can be adjusted in the settings.
  • Retrig: Restarts the cycle whenever a new note is received, maintaining consistency in modulation patterns.

ENV​

The envelope module includes four envelope generators, which are accessed via the tabs along the top. It is a standard synth ADSR envelope. The display shows a visual representation of the output. The zoom control adjusts the display and does not affect the generated output.

  • Ramp: Choose between linear and exponential ramp types for envelope segments, determining the smoothness and character of transitions between stages.
  • Attack: The duration for the initial rise, influencing how quickly the envelope reaches its peak intensity.
  • Decay: The time it takes for the envelope to descend from the peak to the sustain level after the attack phase.
  • Sustain: The level during the sustain phase.
  • Release: The duration of the envelope's fade-out after a note ends.
  • Latch: Skips the release phase. Good for creating drone sounds or for keeping the sound playing while doing sound design.