BASIC DEFINITIONS
Here are some definitions of terms that we will use:
VOLTAGE
: An electrical quantity analogous to pressure.
SIGNAL
: A voltage variation that carries information. Signals are carried between modules
by PATCH CORDS. An AUDIO signal varies rapidly enough to be discernable by the human
ear. When amplified and fed to a speaker, it is heard as a tone. A module’s functions may be
controlled either manually or by externally applied CONTROL signals. For example, a signal
applied to the CONTROL INPUT jack of an oscillator will cause the pitch of the oscillator’s
output to rise one octave per volt increase in control signal. A TRIGGER signal initiates a
module’s function.
MODULE
: A separate, replaceable unit. Modules of the synthesizer may GENERATE,
MODIFY, or CONTROL. All audio signals emanate from GENERATING modules. A
MODIFIER alters a signal in a specific manner. CONTROLLERS produce control voltages
for manipulating other module functions. For example, the KEYBOARD CONTROLLER
produces a control signal which depends on the keys depressed.
OUTPUT JACK
: A receptacle on the face of a module at which a signal is available.
INPUT JACK
: A receptacle on the face of a module which accepts a signal.
•
An
AUDIO INPUT JACK
receives an audio signal for processing.
•
A
CONTROL INPUT JACK
receives a control signal for determining the operating
point of a module.
•
A
TRIGGER INPUT JACK
is a two-prong socket for accepting trigger signals.
MULTIPLE
or
MULT
: A group of interconnected jacks used for "splitting" a signal so it
can be fed to more than one input.
MIXER
: An instrument for controlled combining of signals.
PATCH CORDS
and
TRIGGER CABLES
: Patch cords have standard 1/4" diameter phone
plugs on both ends. The patch cords are color-coded according to length. Trigger cables have
a two-prong connector on each end. The following cords and cables are supplied with the
Synthesizer 15.
10 - 1 foot patchcords
8 - 2 foot patchcords
1 - 12 inch switch trigger cable
1 - 18 inch switch trigger cable
1 - switch trigger Y-cable
Patch cords are used to route signals among modules. Audio signals are routed from generat-
ing modules to modifying modules (if any) and then to the monitor or tape recorder. Control
signals from a source such as the KEYBOARD CONTROLLER are routed to a module’s
control input using patch cords. The trigger cable has a two-prong socket on one end and a
two-prong plug on the other end. It is used only for patching switch triggers (S-trig) such as
produced by the KEYBOARD CONTROLLER when a key is depressed. An S-trig initiates
the action of the 911 ENVELOPE GENERATOR and the CLAMPING POINT of the 921
VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR.
