Studio Electronics Boomstar Manual
17
Panels
5.2.9 X MOD - Cross Modulation
A
word about Cross Modulation:
Is it just another term for frequency modulation, as some say, or is it a magical plane
where seemingly bizarre, almost entirely unpredictable results bring chaotic freshness
to any electronic vision or experimentation? Yes. It can also be coaxed into creating vocal textures à la the ATC-1.
The
VCO 2 DEPTH
(Voltage Controlled Oscillator 2 Depth) sets the amount of Oscillator 2 frequency modulation to
Oscillator 1’s frequency (
VCO 1 FREQ
) or pulse width (
VCO 1 PW
). Oscillator 2 also becomes an LFO when its range
switch is set to its
LO
position; in the higher range settings (8, 4, 2) audio frequency modulation can create metallic,
clangourous, planetary, searing effects, vibrant “colors,” and “waves.” Pulse width modulation was a feature found
on the legendary Prophet 5 synth, an expressive modulator capable of subtle or dramatic movements in the width
of the square wave—a feature rarely found on non-modular analog synths to this day. Use the switch to the right of
the pot to select either
.
5.2.10 LFO - Low Frequency Oscillator
A
tardy word about Modulation as a whole:
Modulation is the use of a control signal to create an often repetitive pattern of pitch, level, or harmonic and
rhythmic content changes; it infuses sound with movement and color.
The shape of the Boomstar’s LFO is determined by the waveform that the software LFO outputs—selected by the
non-graduated
WAVE
knob, with the waveshapes being
sine, triangle, reverse sawtooth, sawtooth, square, 10%
square, 90% square, slew random, and random. The amount of modulation is determined by either the
MOD DEPTH
control, or modwheel—its speed, or rate, by the
RATE
knob.
The Boomstar’s LFO is assignable to
VCO 1 PW
,
VCO 1 FREQ
,
VCO 2 PW
,
VCO 2 FREQ
, and can be synchronized to MIDI via
the
MIDI SYNC
switch. Note: In the Filter section the LFO is assignable to filter frequency as well. [see p. 14, 5.2.6]
LFO Features and Functions in Review:
RATE
: Sets the speed, which reaches audio frequency spectrum;
MIDI SYNC
ON
locks
the LFO rate to clock:
RATE
sets the 12 MIDI sync beat divisions, i.e., 4 measures,
2 measures, whole note, 1/2 note, whole note triplet, 1/4 note, 1/2 note triplet,
