Ultrabeat ring modulator in MainStage
Ring modulation is a powerful tool for the creation of inharmonic, metallic, bell-like sounds. The Ultrabeat ring modulator functions as an independent sound source—its signal can bypass or be sent into the filter, independent of the oscillator 1 and 2 signals. Its volume can also be regulated.
Important: Although the ring modulator signal is independent of the signals generated by oscillators 1 and 2, both oscillators need to be enabled if you want to use the ring modulator signal. Because the ring modulator is reliant on the signals of both oscillators to produce an output signal, it is automatically muted when one of the oscillators is switched off.
The actual sound produced by the ring modulator is largely dependent on the parameter settings of both oscillators. In particular, the tuning relationships of each oscillator have a direct effect on the sound of the ring modulator signal. The individual levels of the oscillators, however, have no effect on the process (or output) of ring modulation.
Ring modulator parameters
Ring Modulator On/Off button: Turn the ring modulator on or off.
Note: If you want to hear the ring modulator signal in isolation (to better judge your settings), temporarily set the volume of both oscillators to a value of 0.
Level slider: Set the output volume of the ring modulator.
Mod and via pop-up menus: Choose the modulation source (and optional via source) for the Level parameter. When either source is active, small sliders (handles) appear on either side of the Level slider. See Ultrabeat modulation overview.
Signal Flow button: Determine the routing of the ring modulator signal to the filter (red) or to the EQ section (gray). The direction of the arrow on the Signal Flow button illustrates the routing.
Note: The Signal Flow button determines how the ring modulator output signal is routed. It doesn’t turn the ring modulator on or off.