Section 5 — Effect Concepts
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This section offers a basic overview of the concepts involved in selecting, creating, editing, and
understanding Effects. For more detailed descriptions of the actual parameters, refer to the
following section.
Understanding ASR-10 Effects
The ASR-10 has a powerful built in signal processor that can produce an extraordinary variety of
effects. What is more important, its functions are integrated with, rather than added onto, the
rest of the sampler. The flexible bus routing scheme and the extensive real-time control give the
ASR-10 its dynamic effects capability.
The ASR-10 offers continuous audio monitoring of the stereo audio inputs on two dedicated
Audio Tracks. The audio inputs can be monitored through the Effects, and if desired, audio
input can be sampled through the Effects. The ASR-10 also has the ability to resample sounds
with effects in real time. For example: add reverb to a drum sample, resample it, then reuse the
effects processor to further color your music.
The ASR-10’s advanced digital signal processing system is based on the ENSONIQ Signal
Processor (ESP) chip. The ESP is designed specifically for digital audio signal processing, and in
the ASR-10 it works in tandem with a fourth generation version of the Digital Oscillator Chip
(DOC IV, a.k.a. OTTO) and an external 16-bit digital-to-analog converter, to provide a very high-
quality output signal.
The digital effects processing has been designed to complement the advanced performance
features of the ASR-10, and many of the effects can have specific parameters modulated by
various performance controls such as the modulation wheel, Poly-Key™ pressure, and others.
The effects are fully programmable and may be customized for particular applications. Effects
are most often stored as part of an Instrument, although each bank has its own independent
effect. Each of these types of effects is treated a little differently and will be described
individually later in this section.
The ASR-10 has three distinct types of effects: Instrument Effects, Bank Effects, and ROM Effects,
all of which behave in different ways.
Note:
In this manual you may notice the term algorithm. An algorithm is the basic signal processing
building block in the ASR-10. The word “effect” could be used instead of algorithm, but some
algorithms can produce several sonic effects simultaneously. Each algorithm has a set of
parameters used to control the effect(s) it produces.
