Modular Synth App in VR ~ Synthvr Introduction
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Korean (한글) Edition: https://vrquestprep.blogspot.com/2020/08/SynthVR-basicguide-Korean.html
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Synthvr is VR representation of Modular synthesizers.
Simply put, a modular synthesizer is an electronic musical instrument that consists of a multitude of different components (modules) that are used and combined to create electronic sounds. The individual modules are connected via cables (patch cables), switches, sliders and patch panels. In this way, a large number of connection options and permutations are possible. It is important to know that the parameters of analog synthesizer modules can be controlled by Control Voltage (CV).
Down Links
Sidequest: https://sidequestvr.com/app/1203/synthvr
Itch.IO: https://42tones.itch.io/synthvr
Developer Links
Newbie Basics Video
Basic Control
Menu
Click Joystick to open the menu and select with the Trigger
Teleporting
Use B/Y button to indicate the location and then use the trigger to teleport
Move Modules
Each module has an Handle point near it which appears as a white spot when the controller is near it.
Hold the trigger while moving the controller to move the module.
Delete the Modules
Each module has an Handle point near it which appears as a white spot when the controller is near it.
Hold the trigger and press the A button to delete the module.
Modular Synth Basics
Almost every synth is made up of 4 basic parts:
- Oscillator (VCO)
- Filters (VCF)
- LFOs
- ADSR Envelope
- VCA (voltage controlled Amplifier)
First, you create a basic sound. Then, you build the general outline of the synth off of that. Once the “frames” of the synth are put up, then you add your finishing touches.
Simple module structure
Oscillators (VCO: voltage controlled oscillators)
An oscillator creates a sound.
Filters (VCF: voltage controlled filter)
They filter out parts of the sound. These allow further tweaking of your synth tone.
- Low pass filters (LPFs)
- High pass filters (HPFs)
LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillator)
LFOs are special oscillators that you don’t use them to create new sounds. Instead, you use them to affect the sounds you already have.
ADSR Envelope (aka Amp Envelope)
Setting the ADSR is crucial to getting the sound you want as it’s in charge of the volume lifecycle of each note the synth produces.
(Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release)
If you’re trying to create a specific sound, think about what the ADSR should look like. For example,
- If you want a really fast and explosive sound, you’ll want the attack, decay, and release to all be very short with a low sustain.
- If you’re trying to create a very ethereal sound that fades in and out slowly, you’ll want to make the attack, decay, and release pretty long with a high sustain.
VCA (voltage controlled amplifier)
This essentially controls the volume of the audio signal and can be controlled by voltage to achieve different effects.
Etc.
- MIDI – the universal digital music language, which gets converted into an analog signal for modular use.
- CV (controlled voltage) – A controlled voltage can be used to control pretty much any component in a modular setup, including pitch.
- Trigger indicates when a note should start, a pulse that is used to trigger an event, typically an ADSR envelope.
- Gate is related to a Trigger, but sustains the signal throughout the event. It turns on when the signal goes high, and turns off when the signal goes low.
Module Structure Templete
Sound signal: MIDI(Pitch)->Oscillator>Mixer/Amplifier>Stereo output
Control signal: MIDI(Gate)->ADSR>(CV In)Mixer/Amplifier
Modules
- LAB-OUT : Stereo output
- LAB-OSC : Oscillator
- LAB-AMP: Amplifier
- Splitter
- LAB-ENV : ADSR
- LAB-SEQ : Sequencers
- LAB-CLK: Clock
- LAB-MIX : Mixer
- LAB-VEL: Velocity Tracker
- LAB-NOTE:CV Quantizer
- Speaker
*Input: Green / Output: Red
LAB-OUT : Sound Output
Menu>Modules>Audio Sources>LAB-OUT
Only One per session
- Left (Green): Sound signal
- Right (Green): Sound signal
LAB-OSC : Oscillator
Menu>Modules>Audio Sources>LAB-OSC
An oscillator produces a periodic, repeating signal that repeats the same cycle. In synth terms, an oscillator takes a controlled voltage and turns it into an audible frequency; you tweak the oscillator to change the pitch and shape of the tone.
- Out (Red) : Sound signal
- Volume (Red)
- Frequency Modulator (Nob)
- CV in (Green): Input jack for the external control CV.
- CV AMT (Green Nob): The amount of effect the external CV will have on the oscillator rate.
- AMP (Red Nob)
LAB-AMP : Amplifier
Menu>Modules>Audio Modifiers>LAB-AMP
- Level (Green Nob):
- CV AMT (Green Nob): The amount of effect the external CV will have
- CV in (Green): Input jack for the external control CV.
- In (Green): Sound signal
- Out (Red): Sound signal
Splitter
Menu>Modules>Audio Modifiers>Splitter
Copies signal into multiple streams
- In (Green): Sound signal
- Outs (Red): Sound signal
LAB-ENV : ADSR envelope
Menu>Modules>CV Sources>LAB-ENV
Menu>Modules>CV Sources>LAB-ENV
Amplitude Envelopes allow you to change the timing of your synth. Want the sound to fade in gradually? This’ll let you do so!
- Speed (Nob)
- TRIG In (Green): Control signal
- Attack (Nob)
- Decay (Nob)
- Sustain (Nob)
- Release (Nob)
- ENV Out (REd): Control signal
LAB-SEQ : Sequencer
Menu>Modules>Sequencing> LAB-SEQ
Sequence other modules
- Clock Multiplier (Nob)
- Reset (Green): Control signal
- Clock (Green): Control signal
- Gate Length (Nob)
- Value (Red): Control signal
- Value (Sliders)
- Trigger (Red)
- On/Off Buttons
LAB-CLK : Clock
a clock is a consistent rhythmic pulse that can be sent to any/all modules in your setup. This pulse communicates a simple, repeating rhythm, ensuring that all synths in your setup remain synchronised in tempo. Clocks are extremely useful for live performance.
Menu>Modules>Sequencing>LAB-CLK
- Speed (Nob)
- MOD (Nob)
- Clock (Red): Control signal
LAB-MIX : Mixer
Menu>Modules>Audio Modifiers>LAB-MIX
LAB-VEL : Velocity Tracker
Menu>Modules>CV Sources>LAB-VEL
VEL is a controller where you grab the glowing ball, and each of the outputs produces a control signal for the velocity in some direction. For example, take the ball and move it to the right, that will produce a signal in the X+ output. Try hooking it up to oscillator frequency or amp to hear the effect when you move the ball.
X+,Y+,Z+,X-,Y-,Z- (Red)
Glide (Nob)
Strength (Nob)
LAB-NOTE : CV Quantizer
Menu>Modules>Audio Modifiers>LAB-NOTE
a creative melody composing module
It takes a continuous signal and quantizes it into steps corresponding to notes on musical scales. It is a little finicky to set up right now since LAB-OSC does not have a dedicated pitch input yet. Most modules are low-effort testing modules that I plan to replace once the core features are ready. For now, you can plug the NOTE output into OSC freq input and set the amount knob to 100%.
Nob
Green Inputs
Red Outputs
Speaker
Menu>Modules>Audio Sources>Speaker
Plays spatialized audio
In (Green)
Other English Contents:
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