Malstrm Graintable Synthesizer

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Malstr m Graintable Synthesizer

In many ways, the Malstr m Graintable synthesizer works like the SubTractor does: It has two oscillators to create the sounds, as well as several parameters that allow you to further shape the characteristics of the sound. However, instead of using traditional oscillators, the Malstr m's oscillators use actual audio recordings to generate the sounds. This form of synthesis is not the same as Wavetable synthesis, which is a method in which an actual sample or recording is played back when a note is struck. Graintable chops these samples into smaller segments, which are referred to as grains. This method allows users to alter each segment or grain with the various parameter controls.

Loading the Device to the Rack

Loading the Test Patch

Before exploring Malstr m's parameters, you will load up a test patch. You will load a simple patch of a bell sound.

After loading the patch, play some notes from your keyboard to get familiar with the patch's sound.

Changing the Sound's Characteristics Oscillators

Since the Malstr m is a graintable synthesizer, the most noticeable changes to the sound characteristics will be in the oscillator section. As mentioned earlier, unlike the SubTractor, which uses waveform generation to produce its sound, the Malstr m uses small audio recordings to generate sound. There are two oscillators in Malstr m.

Changing the Sample

You'll start by diving straight into the most important part of the oscillator section the sample. Changing the sample will change the foundation of the synthesizer.

The bell patch uses the sample Chime as its base, loaded into both oscillators. You are going to change this sample.

Now change the sample of Oscillator B.

Now when you play your keyboard, you should hear an analog-sounding synthesizer instead of the bells you heard before.

NOTE

If you wish to scroll through the sample list one sample at a time, use the up and down arrows next to the sample LCD window.

Two Synthesizers in One

Since there are two oscillators that you can load graintable samples into, the Malstr m becomes a very flexible synthesizer. Next you'll see how you can use the two oscillator sections to layer the sounds of two different graintable samples.

Play a key on your keyboard. You will now have the FM synthesizer sound and a picked bass guitar sound playing together.

Adding Some MovementMotion

The speed of the samples loaded into the oscillators (how fast the sample plays from start to end) can be altered . In Malstr m this is referred to as motion .

NOTE

When the Motion knob is at the half-way point, no speed changes are applied to the sample.

Tone ChangesShift

Using the Shift knob, you can change the tonal characteristics of the sample.

NOTE

When the Shift knob is in the center position, no tone changes are applied.

Sample Start PositionIndex

With the Index parameter you can control which point in the sample should be marked as the start point that's triggered when you strike a key on your MIDI keyboard.

Oscillator Volume

With the SubTractor, you mixed the volumes of the two oscillators using a Mix knob, but with the Malstr m, the oscillators can be mixed by using their own individual volume controls.

NOTE

Each oscillator has its own volume fader that affects the volume of that oscillator. Each oscillator also has its own Envelope to control the amplitude of the oscillator over time.

Modulation

The Malstr m's Mod section works similarly to the LFO section of the SubTractor. It generates waveforms that are mixed into the sample recordings (oscillators) to alter the sounds' characteristics, such as the vibrato you created with the SubTractor.

Pitch Modulation

To modulate the pitch of a sample:

Now try increasing the speed of the pitch bend.

NOTE

Turning the Pitch knob to the right will force the pitch loop to start at a high note and glide downward. If you turn the Pitch knob to the left, the pitch bend loop will start from a lower note and move upward.

NOTE

As with SubTractor's LFO section, you can set the rate to sync with the tempo of the song by clicking on the Sync button located at the top of the Mod section. After enabling the Sync option, the Rate knob can be used to select time measures such as quarter note, eighth note, etc., for the speed of the modulation.

Modulating the Start PositionIndex

You can also use the Mod section to control a sample's start point (index). (Once again, please reset the previous modulation changes before continuing.)

NOTE

Since the modulation is a continuous loop, the second bass sample will remain looped as long as you hold the key on your MIDI controller.

Modulating the Tone

Use the Mod section to adjust the tonal characteristics of the sample. (Before moving on, please reset the modulation controls.)

NOTE

When the Shift knob is turned to a positive value, the tonal changes will start with a low tone and move toward a high tone. If you turn the Shift knob to a negative value, the tone change will begin from a high tone and move toward a lower tone.

Motion Modulation

It is also possible to use the speed of sample (see the "Adding Some MovementMotion" section earlier in this chapter) as a method of modulation. (Reset the modulation controls before continuing.)

Controlling the VolumeTremolo

The Mod sections can also control the volume of the samples, and one good example of this is to create a tremolo effect. (Again, please reset the modulation parameters first.)

NOTE

The waveform created by the Mod section is continuous, meaning that if you use modulation to create a pitch shift, that pitch shift will continue to bend up and down as long as you hold the key. There is an option to have the waveform produced only once after you first strike the key. Click on the 1-Shot button at the top of the Mod section to enable this feature.

Selecting the Oscillator to Modulate

There are two modulation sections in Malstr m; each can be assigned to modulate one or both of the oscillators.

Adding Some ColorShaper

The Shaper section works much as the Noise section does on the SubTractor; it adds noise to the oscillator to enhance the shape of the sound. (Please reset the modulation controls.)

NOTE

Be careful when adjusting the Shaper's amount control; it is very easy to overload the output of the Malstr m if too much noise is added.

Increasing the Stereo Width

The Malstr m is able to spread its two oscillators left and right to increase the perceived stereo image of the device.

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