An envelope sets the shape of an audio parameter plotted over time. An envelope typically controls one of an instrument's attributes such as its amplitude, timbre, or frequency.
The ARIA tool lets you set sustain loops, release loops, release points, and other attributes for the envelope simply by editing its graphic representation.
The section below shows you how to add an envelope to a simple patch. A tips and tricks section gives some advice from our developers.
Preparing a patch with an envelope consists of two parts:
To add an envelope to an existing patch, follow these steps:
Figure 1: Patch using an envelope.
Editing an envelope is done from the Envelope Editor window, shown in Figure 2 below.
Figure 2: Envelope Editor.
The Envelope Editor window has several tools available. They are, from left to right:
To edit an envelope, follow these steps:
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<HTML><li></HTML>Click on the envelope's Edit button.<HTML></li></HTML>
<HTML><li></HTML><HTML><p></HTML>Move the start point in the top-left corner further down as desired.<HTML></p></HTML>
<HTML><p></HTML>Note: The start point is initially invisible. Just grab the top-left corner and you will find you can move the point.
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<HTML><li></HTML>Add more points by holding the Option button and clicking or dragging the line.<HTML></li></HTML>
<HTML><li></HTML><HTML><p></HTML>To set a sustain loop, drag out a marquee by holding the Shift key and select all points over which you want the loop, then click Set and type in the loop- back time-if you don't provide one, you'll hear a click. Sustain loops are indicated by bright red lines.<HTML></p></HTML>
<HTML><p></HTML>The same technique can be used for release loops. Just click the Rel radio button instead of the Sus radio button.<HTML></p></HTML>
<HTML><p></HTML>Note: To delete a point, Option-click it.
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<HTML><li></HTML>To set a Release Jump Point, select a point and click on the Set box in the RJP area. The letters “rp” next to the point indicate you have set it. Note that the point will not go away when you clear the RJP, but the letters disappear.<HTML></li></HTML>
<HTML><li></HTML><HTML><p></HTML>In most cases, you will also want to set the FLS bit.<HTML></p></HTML>
<HTML><p></HTML>When an envelope or sample finishes, if the FLS bit is set, then the instrument is considered finished and it will be stopped. Once stopped, the instrument is more eligible to be used by other voices. For example, if you have three envelopes on one instrument: pitch, filter, and amplitude, the sound is considered over only when the amplitude goes to zero. You should therefore set the FLS bit in the amplitude envelope but not in the others.<HTML></p></HTML><HTML></li></HTML><HTML></ol></HTML>
Figure 3: Example of a complex envelope.
This section contains tips and tricks for working with samples. These tips were provided by 3DO developers who worked with ARIA during its Beta period.