ES2 oscillator modulation targets in MainStage

Pitch123

Modulates the frequencies (pitch) of all three oscillators. If you select an LFO as the source, this target leads to siren or vibrato sounds. Select one of the envelope generators with zero attack, short decay, zero sustain, and short release as the source for tom and kick drum sounds.

Pitch 1

Modulates the frequency (pitch) of oscillator 1. Slight envelope modulations can make the amount of detuning change over time, when oscillator 1 is sounding in unison with another (unmodulated) oscillator. This also applies to the other Pitch targets and is particularly useful for synthesizer brass sounds.

Pitch 2

Modulates the frequency (pitch) of oscillator 2.

Pitch 3

Modulates the frequency (pitch) of oscillator 3.

Detune

Controls the amount of detuning between all three oscillators. The sensitivity of all pitch modulation targets is determined by the modulation intensity. This is scaled as per the lists below, allowing you to create very delicate vibrati in the cent range (1/100 semitone), and huge pitch jumps by octaves.

• Modulation intensity from 0 to 8: steps are 1.25 cents.

• Modulation intensity from 8 to 20: steps are 3.33 cents.

• Modulation intensity from 20 to 28: steps are 6.25 cents.

• Modulation intensity from 28 to 36: steps are 12.5 cents.

• Modulation intensity from 36 to 76: steps are 25 cents.

• Modulation intensity from 76 to 100: steps are 100 cents.

This leads to the following rules of thumb for modulation intensity values.

• Intensity of 8 equals a pitch shift of 10 cents.

• Intensity of 20 equals a pitch shift of 50 cents (one quarter tone).

• Intensity of 28 equals a pitch shift of 100 cents (one semitone).

• Intensity of 36 equals a pitch shift of 200 cents (two semitones).

• Intensity of 76 equals a pitch shift of 1,200 cents (one octave).

• Intensity of 100 equals a pitch shift of 3,600 cents (three octaves).

OscWaves

Depending on the waveforms set in the three oscillators, this target can be used to modulate:

• The pulse width of rectangular and pulse waves

• The amount of frequency modulation (oscillator 1 only)

• Noise color (oscillator 3 only)

• The position of the Digiwaves

OscWaves affects all oscillators simultaneously.

For further information about the effects of these modulations, see Use ES2 pulse width modulation, Use ES2 frequency modulation, Use the ES2 noise generator, and Use ES2 Digiwaves.

Osc1Wave

Depending on the waveform selected for oscillator 1, you can control the pulse width of rectangular and pulse waves, the amount of frequency modulation, or the position of the Digiwave. In classic FM synthesizers the amount of FM is controlled in real time by velocity-sensitive envelope generators. Select one of the ENVs as the source for such sounds.

Osc2Wave

The same as Osc1Wave, except that oscillator 2 does not feature FM. Note that pulse width modulation also works with both the synchronized rectangular and ring-modulated rectangular waves.

Osc3Wave

Oscillator 3 is the same as Osc1Wave and Osc2Wave except that it does not feature FM or ring modulation. Oscillator 3 features noise, the color of which can be modulated with this parameter.

OscWaveB

The transitions between Digiwaves during a wavetable modulation (where you switch between different Digiwaves) are always smooth. You can use the OscWaveB target to continuously modulate the shape of the transitions from smooth to hard. This target applies to all oscillators.

Osc1WaveB

If wavetable modulation is active for a Digiwave (using the Osc1Wav target), you can use this target to modulate the shape of the transition. When you are frequency-modulating oscillator 1, the Osc1WaveB target offers much higher FM intensities than either the Osc1 FM or the Osc1Wave targets.

Osc2WaveB

The same as above for a Digiwave using the Osc2Wav target.

Osc3WaveB

The same as above for a Digiwave using the Osc3Wav target.

SineLev1

SineLevl (Sine Level) allows the sine wave level of oscillator 1 to be modulated. The parameter defines the level of the first partial tone of oscillator 1. See Enhance ES2 sounds with Sine Level.

OscLScle

OscLScle (Osc Level Scale) modulates the levels of all three oscillators simultaneously. A modulation value of 0 mutes all oscillators, whereas a value of 1 raises the gain of the entire mix by 12 dB. The modulation is applied before the overdrive stage, allowing for dynamic distortions.

Osc1Levl

(Osc 1 Level) allows modulation of oscillator 1 level.

Osc2Levl

(Osc 2 Level) allows modulation of oscillator 2 level.

Osc3Levl

(Osc 3 Level) allows modulation of oscillator 3 level.