-100 to +100 cents is available. The Semi control sets the oscillator pitch in
semitones. A range of -11 to +11 semitones is available. The Oct control
sets the oscillator pitch in octaves. A range of -2 to +7 octaves is available.
The Oscillator also has a range of output destinations. The output of
Oscillators 1/3 can be sent to F1, F2, F1+2, FM,and AM. The output of
Oscillators 2/4 can be sent to F1, F2, F1+2 and F1FM/F2FM. F1 selects
Filter 1, F2 selects Filter 2, while F1+2 selects both filters. In the latter case
you can use the Bal dial to control how much of the signal each filter
receives (see below).
In the case of Oscillator 1 and 3, two further routing options are available,
bothofwhichcanbeused tocreate complex, harmonically-rich
waveforms. FM allows you to modulate the frequency of oscillators 2 and 4
using oscillators 1 and 3. This type of modulation, known as Frequency
Modulation, is great for producing metallic, bell-like tones. AM allows you
to modulate the amplitude of oscillators 2 and 4 using oscillators 1 and 3.
This type of modulation, known as Amplitude Modulation can also be used
to produce rich and complex waveforms.
In the case of Oscillator 2 and 4, a routing option is also available for
F1FM/F2FM. When this option is selected the oscillator output is used to
modulate the cutoff frequency of Filter 1 and Filter 2 respectively. Note that
this option is only available for the Cream filter.
The Digital oscillator also has controls for Vol, Bal and Spread. The Vol dial
is used to set the output volume of the oscillator while the Bal dial
determines the proportion of the signal that is sent to Filter 1 and Filter 2.
Turning the Bal dial all the way to the right sends all of the oscillator's
output to Filter 2, while turning it all the way to the left sends all of the
output to Filter 1.
It's quite common for synths to offer a Unison mode in which several or all
of the oscillators are simultaneously detuned to create extremely fat, rich
sounds. However, on most synths this mode has a major drawback: the
synth becomes monophonic. A special feature of the Albino 3 is that it
allows polyphonic unison. That is, the detuning of Oscillators without the
loss of polyphony. The Spread dial is used to set the Albino 3's level of
polyphonic unison. When moved from the leftmost position the dial
gradually detunes voices to produce a thick and fat sound. This does not
affect polyphony (however it does use significantly more CPU resources of
course).
Rob Papen Albino 3.0 18