Akai MPC5000 Specifications Page 147

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Synth Programs
New to the MPC5000 are virtual analog, or 'Synth' programs. These differ from sample programs in that rather than
using pre recorded sounds, the sound is created by a method called 'subtractive synthesis'. From smooth, whistling
leads, to huge, booming basses, to lush, spacious pads, this method of creating sound can be used to create a vast
array of sounds.
About Subtractive Synthesis
The concept of a synthesizer is an instrument that is capable of producing a very wide range of sounds electronically.
The huge popularity and continued development of synths since the late 60s is due, in great part, to this ability to offer
so many different types of sound textures in one box.
A synthesizer’s ability to produce such an incredible variety of sound comes from its basic design: it electronically
simulates the fundamental components of sound and gives you control over each part. The term synthesizer means to
"combine parts into a whole". And that’s exactly what a synthesizer does: the essential ingredients of sound are
presented as separate parts which are then "re-assembled" as an audible sound.
The MPC5000's synth generates sound by emulating, or "modeling," the behavior of an analog synthesizer. Oscillators
generate the raw sounds. The oscillators are then fed into the filters, which in turn are fed into the amplifiers. As the
signal moves through that basic path, you are able to adjust the mix of the signal at several points, apply various
modulations and envelopes, and add effects. In this way, the MPC5000's synth can generate a virtually limitless variety
of sounds.
Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCO)
The oscillators are where sound is born. You may have heard that what you perceive as "sound" is simply vibrating air
molecules hitting your eardrums. That vibration has to start somewhere, and in the MPC5000's synth section, it comes
from the oscillators. By varying the frequency of the vibration, the oscillators can produce different pitches, which are
heard as musical notes. By adjusting the waveform type and shape, the oscillators can produce various harmonics,
which are heard as different timbres. Each of the MPC5000's synth voices contains three oscillators.
Voltage Controlled Filters (VCF)
The sound produced by the oscillators is very raw, and usually not suitable to be used directly in an instrument. In order
to bring out the sonic textures you have in mind, you will typically want to dampen certain harmonics and boost others.
This is where the filter comes in. The filter alters the frequency content of the signal, and can have a drastic effect on
the sound. A filter typically allows you to adjust its Cutoff Frequency, which represents the range of harmonics that the
filter operates on, as well as its Resonance, which determines how much boost is given to harmonics around the cutoff
frequency. The MPC5000 has eleven different filter types, each with its own character and sonic flavor.
LFO
LFO stands for "low frequency oscillator". Unlike the normal oscillators, however, the LFOs are not designed for
producing sound. Instead, their purpose is to tweak a program parameter according to a looping pattern. For example,
if you are looking to add some vibrato to your instrument, you’ll need the pitch to continuously waver up and down. An
LFO is perfect for this application. Simply hooking up an LFO to the oscillator pitch parameter will get you the effect you
need. Each of the MPC5000’s voices contains two LFOs.
Envelopes (ENV)
If you hit a note on a piano, you’ll hear a burst of sound energy as the hammer strikes the string, followed by lower
level of loudness as you hold down the note and let the string ring out, which fades quickly as soon as you release the
note and the damper is applied. Synthesizer designers model this behavior using ADSR envelopes. ADSR stands for
"attack, decay, sustain, release", and represents the different stages that the sound goes through over the life of the
note. Since the most important application of the envelope is to control the loudness of the sound, the MPC5000
provides one envelope that is specifically designed for this purpose. This is the amp envelope. The MPC5000 also has an
additional envelope to control the filter. This allows the Cutoff Frequency of the filter to be controlled independently of
the sound's amplitude.
Playing a Synth Program
Synth programs on the MPC5000 differ from Sample programs in that when you play a synth sound, a single sound is
played chromatically across the pads. This allows you to create synth melodies and bass lines with ease.
Auditioning a Synth Program
To audition a SYNTH Program, select the program in DISK Mode and press [F5] (PLAY) . The note played when
auditioning programs can be set in OTHER Mode.
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