Retro Synth Sync oscillator in MainStage
The synthesizer oscillators are used to generate one or more waveforms. You set the basic tonal color with the chosen waveform or waveforms, adjust the pitch of the basic sound, and set the level relationships between oscillators. The signal of one or both oscillators is then sent to other parts of the synthesizer engine for shaping, processing, or manipulation. See filter controls, amp and effect controls, modulation, and global and controller settings.
Oscillator sync sounds are typically more aggressive than sounds generated with other synthesis methods, making this engine most suitable for lead and hard bass instruments. The second oscillator is resynchronized with the first oscillator each time a note is triggered or each time the waveform cycle of the first oscillator restarts.
Sync oscillator parameters
Shape 1 and Shape 2 knobs: Rotate to choose the type of waveform that each oscillator generates. The waveform is responsible for the basic tonal color. The oscillators output a number of standard waveforms—noise, rectangular, sawtooth, and triangular.
Sync Modulation knob: Choose a sync modulation source, and set the modulation intensity. The centered (off) position disables all waveform modulation with the LFO or filter envelope.
Vibrato knob: Rotate to set the amount of vibrato (pitch modulation).
Sync knob: Set the maximum amount of sync modulation. This makes the sound more or less aggressive. Technically, this control changes the waveform start point of both oscillators.
Mix slider: Move to crossfade (set the level relationships) between the oscillators (Shape 1 and 2).