Modor DR-2 User manual

MODOR DIGITAL DRUM SYNTHESIZER
USER MANUAL - v1

Contents
1 Getting Started . . . 1
1.1 Overview ................................ 1
1.2 Patterns, songs and drumsets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.3 Connections............................... 2
1.4 Patternprogramming .......................... 3
1.5 Modulations............................... 4
1.6 Menunavigation ............................ 4
1.7 Loading patterns, songs and drumsets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.7.1 ...fromthemenu........................ 5
1.7.2 ... from the frontpanel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.8 Saving patterns, songs and drumsets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.9 Initialisation............................... 6
1.10Fingerdrumming... ........................... 7
1.11Keycombinations............................ 7
2 Overview 9
2.1 StructureoftheDR-2.......................... 9
2.2 Patterns, songs and drumsets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.3 Flashmemory.............................. 11
2.4 Frontpaneloverview .......................... 11
3 Drum synthesizer 13
3.1 Drum models or algorithms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.2 Envelopegenerator ........................... 14
3.3 Bassdrums ............................... 16
3.3.1 DriveBD ............................ 16
3.3.2 NoiseBD............................ 17
3.3.3 SquareBD ........................... 18
3.4 Snaredrums............................... 18
3.4.1 BasicSN ............................ 18
3.4.2 MarchingSN.......................... 19
3.4.3 AnalogSN ........................... 20
iii

3.5 Cymbals................................. 21
3.5.1 Hihats.............................. 21
3.5.2 Ridecymbal .......................... 22
3.5.3 Crashcymbal.......................... 24
3.6 Claps .................................. 25
3.7 Toms................................... 25
3.7.1 AnalogTom .......................... 25
3.7.2 Tenordrum ........................... 26
3.8 Miscellaneous.............................. 28
3.8.1 Rimshot............................. 28
3.8.2 Rattle.............................. 28
3.8.3 Cowbell............................. 29
3.9 Modulations............................... 30
4 Drum sequencer 32
4.1 16 step, 64 step or 128 step sequencer? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
4.2 Rec, Play, Rec Pause and Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
4.3 BPMandSwing............................. 33
4.4 Patternmode .............................. 34
4.5 Songmode ............................... 38
4.6 Synchronisation............................. 39
5 Menu Reference 41
5.1 Load................................... 41
5.2 Save................................... 42
5.3 Name .................................. 42
5.4 Init.................................... 42
5.5 Copy................................... 43
5.6 SystemSettings............................. 44
5.7 SysexDump............................... 45
5.8 Menuoverview ............................. 46
6 MIDI Implementation 47
6.1 Midichannel .............................. 47
6.2 MIDInotemapping........................... 47
6.3 MIDIcontrolchanges.......................... 49
6.4 MIDI program changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
6.5 MIDI implementation chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
6.6 MIDIcontrollerlist........................... 52
iv

1
Getting Started . . .
1.1 Overview
Thanks for buying a Modor DR-2!
The DR-2 is a digital 6 instrument drum machine with a 128 32nd note step se-
quencer. Soundwise, the DR-2’s digital drum models offer a lot of sound sculpting
flexibility. It is not based on samples or analog circuits, the DR-2 is actually a real
digital DSP drum synthesizer. It has the sound editing knobs like on a synthesizer, but
with digital synthesis algorithms that are aimed towards drum synthesis.
The DR-2 also has extensive sequencing possibilities. It has a 32nd-note resolution
and there is the possibility to program accents, flams (double hits) and tuplets (multiple
hits), silences (breaks) and reversing (backwards running) drum sounds.
1.2 Patterns, songs and drumsets
The Modor DR-2 has an internal sequencer, that plays PATTERN or SONG structures,
controlling the internal drum synthesizer. The synthesizer creates drum sounds using
the sound parameters stored in DRUMSETS. These are the 3 different kinds of ’data
structures’ you’ll meet working with the DR-2.
•A PATTERN is the collection of (up to) 128 steps of sequencer data of the six
instruments, including accents, flams, breaks and reverse notes.
•A SONG is a string or loop of up to 112 patterns.
•A DRUMSET is a set of sound synthesis parameters for the six drum instruments
A-F.
So, the DR-2 consists of two main components: the drum synthesizer, and the
drum sequencer. The internal drum synthesizer and its drumsets, are not related to
the internal sequencer and its patterns and songs. So you can play any pattern or song
using any drumset. But also, this means after restarting your DR-2 you’ll have to load
both the pattern/song and the drumset separately to restart where you left before. If you
save a pattern or song after editing, the drumset is not saved along. You have to save it
separately if you want to store it!
1

1.3. CONNECTIONS CHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED . . .
By pressing the PATTERN, SONG or DRUMSET buttons, you go into pattern,
song or drumset mode. This is important in the menu for loading, saving, initialising
and renaming items.
1.3 Connections
Before you can start playing the Modor DR-2 a few connections have to be made. This
chapter is written to help you make the first connections so that you can immediately
start playing your instrument. By following these instructions, you will have your
Modor drum machine up and running in a few minutes time.
Main Audio Connections The main stereo output of the Modor DR-2 is found on
the L/PHON and R/MONO connectors on the backside of the instrument. Connect
the DR-2 to an external amplifier or mixing device with two mono 6mm jack cables.
The external amplifier or mixing device should be switched off before making this
connection, and only be switched on after the connection has been made to prevent
damage to the equipment.
You can also connect headphones to the L/PHON audio connector with a 6mm
TRS-connector. The signal is strong enough to drive a pair of headphones, although it
may be not loud enough to be used in noisy environments.
Channel Audio Connections The Modor DR-2 has six drum channels that can be
sent to the main L/R mix, but can also be sent out using the A-F connectors on the
backside. If you insert a mono 6mm jack connector into one of these connectors, this
channel is taken out of the main stereo mix on the L/R connectors and can be treated
separately on an external mixing desk.
However, these connectors can also be used as so-called ’insert’ points. Using a
6mm TRS connector you can send a channel out for external treatment, some effect for
example, and have it returned back into the DR-2. It then passes the stereo panning and
is mixed into the main L/R output.
Clock Syncronisation The DR-2 has CLK IN and CLK OUT connectors for 24PPQN
clock signals. You can use the DR-2 as a clock master or clock slave to synchronise
with other systems.
MIDI Connection The DR-2 has an internal drum sequencer, but it can also be con-
trolled by an external keyboard or (computer) sequencer via a MIDI connection. Chap-
ter 6 indicates which notes (note numbers) to send. Connect the MIDI output of this
external midi source to the MIDI IN connector on the backside of the Modor DR-2.
2

1.4. PATTERN PROGRAMMING CHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED . . .
The patterns generated by the internal sequencer, can also be sent out via the MIDI
OUT connector as MIDI note messages, along with the knob movements of the sound
parameters as MIDI control messages.
Power Connection Finally, the Modor DR-2 has to receive power via the power
connector. Connect the adaptor, and turn the volume knob (POW/VOL) on the upper
left corner of the front panel clockwise to get the instrument running. Theoretically,
any 9V DC-adaptor with 9W power (1000mA) will be sufficient, but there are many
DC-adaptors around providing unstable or even plain wrong electrical tensions. Only
use the DC-adaptor delivered with the Modor DR-2 or refer to a specialised electronics
dealer. Damage to the instrument caused by using a wrong adaptor is excluded from
any warranty regulation.
1.4 Pattern programming
Programming basic patterns on the DR-2 is quite simple. Push the A-F buttons to select
an instrument and hit the 1-16 buttons to toggle drum hits. Then press play to hear the
pattern you programmed. That’s the basic pattern programming as can be found on
many classic drum machines. You can also live record patterns by pushing REC and
PLAY, and then playing the A-F buttons along. However, there is more about pattern
programming on the DR-2:
Accents can be programmed by keeping the ACC button pressed
while programming drum hits with the 1-16 buttons.
Accents can also be programmed in a separate accent track for
all instruments simultaneously. Just press the ACC button to
access the accent track.
Reverses can be programmed by keeping the REV button
pressed and hitting 1-16.
Breaks or instrument silences can be programmed by keeping
the BREAK button pressed and hitting 1-16.
Flams or double hits can be programmed by keeping the FLAM
button pressed and hitting 1-16. .
Tuplets or multiple hits can be programmed by keeping the
SHIFT+FLAM buttons pressed and hitting 1-16.
β-variations Every instrument has two separate tracks to pro-
gram αand βdrum hits. The αand βdrum sounds are identical,
except for one sound parameter.
•Set the reverse delay with REV+(SWING/)VALUE
•Set the flam speed with FLAM+(SWING/)VALUE
3

1.5. MODULATIONS CHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED . . .
•Set the tuplet balance, number and speed with SHIFT+FLAM+Y/Z/T
1.5 Modulations
You can bring a lot more ’life’ in your drum riffs by using modulations that avoid every
drum to sound exactly identical. There are 4 different ways of modulation:
•Velocity or accents: keep the VELOCITY button pressed and turn one of a
drum’s parameter knobs. Now this parameter is connected to velocity modu-
lation. When playing notes with different velocity or accent you’ll hear a differ-
ence in sound. Velocity can be connected to the volume parameter and one extra
parameter per drum. Double click VELOCITY to remove this extra modulation.
•Random: press the RANDOM button and turn one of a drum’s parameter knobs.
Now you’ll hear a random variation of this parameter with every drum hit. Ran-
dom can be connected to one parameter per drum. Double click RANDOM to
remove this modulation.
•Definable: press the DEF button and turn one of a drum’s parameter knobs. Now
the DEF-knob above the instrument’s slider can be used to vary this parameter.
Definable knobs can be connected to one parameter per drum. Double click DEF
to remove this modulation.
•Alpha/Beta: press the β-button and turn one of a drum’s parameter knobs. Now
you have a β-variation of this instrument. β-variations can be connected to one
parameter per drum. The sequencer has separate tracks for the αand βvaria-
tions, press αor βto program α/βdrum hits.
1.6 Menu navigation
The menu of the Modor DR-2 consists of 7 menu items. When the MENU/YES button
is hit you enter the menu, and the first menu item is shown on the upper display line.
4

1.7. LOADING PATTERNS, SONGS AND DRUMSETSCHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED . . .
A black dot starts running from right to left over the display. By pressing MENU/YES
again before the dot reaches the left side of the screen, the next menu item is selected.
If you stop hitting MENU/YES, after about 1 sec the black dot reaches the left side of
the display, and you enter the indicated menu. Following menus can be entered:
1. LOAD: Load a pattern, drumset or song from internal memory
2. SAVE: Save a pattern, drumset or song into the internal memory
3. NAME: Give your pattern, drumset or song a name
4. COPY: An easy way to copy data between different parts of a pattern, or different
instruments in a drumset.
5. INIT: Initialize a pattern, drumset or song
6. SONG EDIT: Edit the order of patterns in a song.
7. SYSTEM SETTINGS: To set some global system parameters
8. MIDI DUMP: Dump the memory contents of the DR-2 using Midi Sysex mes-
sages
Next, after entering a certain menu, data can be selected and altered using the SE-
LECT(/BPM) encoder and VALUE(/SWING) control. Sometimes you need to validate
your choice by pressing the MENU/YES button again, or you might need to cancel your
choice by using EXIT/NO. While in the menu, on any moment you can press EXIT/NO
to cancel and leave the menu. A full item-by-item reference of the complete menu can
be found in chapter 5.
Note: the SONG EDIT menu can only be entered when you are in Song mode, it
is skipped otherwise. Press the SONG button to get into song mode. You can also
doubleclick the SONG button as a shortcut to the SONG EDIT menu.
1.7 Loading patterns, songs and drumsets
1.7.1 ... from the menu
Press PATTERN, SONG or DRUMSET, hit the MENU/YES button 1 time and wait 2
seconds to enter the LOAD menu. You should see the following screen: On the first
line you see ”LOAD” to indicate you are in the LOAD menu and PATTERN, SONG or
DRUMSET to indicate in which mode you are. On the second line you see the active
pattern, song or drumset number and name.
You can now scan through all the available patterns, songs or drumsets in the
Modor’s memory using the SELECT and VALUE controls. Confirm your choice with
SRC/YES.
If you are loading drumsets, the selected drumset can be heard when playing the
DR-2. This way you can listen to the drumsets in the memory without loosing your
actual work, and compare your active drumset to any drumset in the Modor DR-2’s
memory.
You can push DEST/NO at any time to cancel the load operation and return to the
situation where you left before.
5

1.8. SAVING PATTERNS, SONGS AND DRUMSETSCHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED . . .
1.7.2 ... from the frontpanel
However, there is a much easier and more straightforward way to load patterns, songs
and drumsets. Keep the PATTERN, SONG or DRUMSET button pressed, while you
hit one of the 1-16, 17-32, 33-48, 49-64 buttons and then one of the 1-16 step buttons.
For example [PATTERN] + 17-32 + 5 loads pattern Pt21 (16+5). [DRUMSET] + 33-
48 + 13 loads drumset Dr45 (32+13). That’s a lot quicker to switch between drumsets,
patterns or songs. The downside of this for drumsets is that your actual drumset gets
immediately overwritten, you can’t use it to compare your actual drumset to a stored
drumset in memory.
1.8 Saving patterns, songs and drumsets
Saving goes more or less identically to menu loading: now press the MENU button
twice within one second to enter the SAVE menu. Select a slot in the memory using
the SELECT and/or VALUE controls. This slot will be overwritten with the actual
pattern, song or drumset if you now hit SRC/YES to confirm.
When you play the DR-2 during the save operation for drumsets, you can hear the
drumset in the Modor DR-2’s memory that’s about to be overwritten. This way you
can check which memory position can be overwritten before actually doing it.
Hitting DEST/NO at any time cancels the save operation and exits the menu of the
Modor DR-2.
1.9 Initialisation
How to reinitialise the actual drumset or pattern? If you want to start building up a new
drumset completely from scratch, this might be helpful. Select Pattern/Drumset/Song
with the respective button, and quickly hit the MENU/YES button four times to select
the INIT-menu and wait one second to select it (the black dot reaches the left side of
the screen). Confirm with SRC/YES (or cancel with DEST/NO).
6

1.10. FINGERDRUMMING. . . CHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED . . .
When you initialise a drumset, you get a simple straightforward techno orientated
drumset with a bassdrum, claps, hihat, snaredrum, rimshot and cymbal. Upon initial-
isation of a pattern, you get a very simple four-on-the-floor pattern in steps 1-16. An
initialised song will contain nothing but a list of patterns all set to pattern Pt00.
1.10 Fingerdrumming. . .
The DR-2 is about programming drum sequences, it’s not really built for ’live’ elec-
tronic finger drumming, the buttons aren’t built for that. However, you can check the
sounds in a drumset by pressing the A..F buttons.
The A..F buttons are not velocity sensitive however. But you can check what it
sounds like when accented, by holding ACC down while playing A..F. The same goes
for flams, tuplets, breaks and reverses. Hold down the appropriate buttons while play-
ing A..F.
Fingerdrumming works when the sequencer is not playing, or when it’s record-
ing. When playing, there are two playing ’modes’, that can be toggled with the PLAY
button. If you can’t hear the sounds when hitting the A..F buttons, press PLAY once
more.
1.11 Key combinations
The DR-2 has a number of key and knob combinations to make things faster and easier.
Try the combinations in the table below, to get accustomed to what all these different
keys and knobs can do.
PATTERN (+ 1-16/.../49-64) + 1...16 Load Pattern
DRUMSET (+ 1-16/.../49-64) + 1...16 Load Drumset
SONG (+ 1-16/.../49-64) + 1...16 Load Song
REV (+16/32) + 1...16 Toggle Note Reverse
BREAK (+16/32) + 1...16 Toggle Note Break
FLAM (+16/32) + 1...16 Toggle Flam
SHIFT+FLAM (+16/32) + 1...16 Toggle Tuplet
7

1.11. KEY COMBINATIONS CHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED . . .
16/32 + 1...16 Toggle 32nd Notes
SHIFT + 1...16 Set Number of Pattern Parts
SHIFT + 1-16/.../49-64 Set Pattern Length
SHIFT + A...F Mute/Unmute Instrument
VELOCITY + Knob Set Velocity/Accent Parameter and Amount
RANDOM + Knob Set Random Parameter and Amount
DEF + Knob Set Definable Parameter and Amount
BETA + Knob Set Beta Parameter
SHIFT + Knob Inspect Parameter without changing it
16/32 + SWING/VALUE Set 32nd Note Swing
FLAM + SWING/VALUE Set Flam Time
REV + SWING/VALUE Set Reverse Delay
SHIFT + FLAM + Y Set Tuplet Velocity Balance
SHIFT + FLAM + Z Set Tuplet Retrig Number
SHIFT + FLAM + T Set Tuplet Retrig Time
Double Click VELOCITY Remove Velocity Parameter and Amount
Double Click DEF Remove Definable Parameter and Amount
Double Click RANDOM Remove Random Parameter and Amount
Double Click SONG Shortcut to Song Edit
DEF + A...F Delete an instrument’s pattern track
RANDOM + A...F Randomise an instrument’s pattern track
8

2
Overview
2.1 Structure of the DR-2
The Modor DR-2 has 2 main components: a drum sequencer and a drum synthesizer,
working more or less independently from each other. The sequencer is a classic step
sequencer able of playing 64 16th notes, or 128 32nd notes per pattern for each of the
6 drum instruments (A..F) of the drum synthesizer. The drum synthesizer can also be
played using external gear connected to MIDI IN.
Each of the 6 (A..F) drum instruments or drum channels from the drum synthesizer
has a separate output or insert connector at the backside of the DR-2. This can be
used to send each channel separately to external mixing gear, or to treat it with external
effect gear and return it into the DR-2. After that, there’s a panning, a mixer and output
amp.
For each of the 6 instruments or channels of the DR-2 a drum synthesis algorithm
can be chosen. There are algorithms for bassdrums, snaredrums, cymbals, claps, ...
These algorithms can be chosen independently. If you want a drumset with 6 different
snaredrums, just do it. It’s up to you to decide which instruments you want in your
DR-2 drumset.
Each instrument of the DR-2 drum synthesizer can have up to 12 drum parameters:
•Pitch, with a pitch envelope decay, amount and curve
•Volume, with an amp envelope decay and curve.
•Pan
•X, Y, Z and T parameters, different for each drum algorithm.
Each of these 12 parameters has it’s own control knob on the DR-2’s frontpanel.
Select one of the 6 drum instruments with the A..F buttons below the sliders, and turn
the knobs to alter it’s sound.
2.2 Patterns, songs and drumsets
Pattern, song and drumset modes can be selected using the respective PATTERN,
SONG and DRUMSET buttons. These modes mainly affect the menu. Outside of
9

2.2. PATTERNS, SONGS AND DRUMSETS CHAPTER 2. OVERVIEW
MIDI OUT
128-step Drum Sequencer MIDI IN
MIDI
THRU
CLOCK IN CLOCK OUT
Drum Synthesizer
Drum A Drum B Drum C Drum D Drum E Drum F
Out/Ins A Out/Ins B Out/Ins C Out/Ins D Out/Ins E Out/Ins F
Mixer / Amp
Pan A Pan B Pan C Pan D Pan E Pan F
LEFT RIGHT
the menu, the influence of the active mode is limited. Select Pattern, Song or Drumset
mode to load, save, rename or initialise patterns, songs or drumsets.
However, selecting Song mode has a different influence. When in Song mode, the
sequencer doesn’t repeat the same pattern over and over again. It plays a list of patterns
in a single movement or in a loop. When a the end of one pattern, the sequencer jumps
to the next pattern in the list. The main difference now, is that eventual changes to the
playing pattern made with the 1..16 STEP buttons are discarded when moving on to
the next pattern. First, carefully design your song’s patterns, before combining them
into a song. Or, when changing things in a song’s pattern, save it first in pattern mode,
before moving on.
Every pattern has it’s own BPM, Swing, Swing32 and Flam and Reverse timings.
When playing in Song mode however, these pattern parameters are overridden by the
Song BPM, Swing and timing settings. So you can share patterns between different
songs, each song will play the pattern in it’s own way.
The same thing happens in Pattern mode, when switching between patterns without
stopping the sequencer. If you load a new pattern while the sequencer is playing, it
switches to the new pattern after the actual pattern has ended. The pattern’s own BPM,
swing and timing settings are overridden with the actual playing settings.
10

2.3. FLASH MEMORY CHAPTER 2. OVERVIEW
2.3 Flash memory
The DR-2’s internal flash memory has space for:
•64 Drumsets (0..64) of 6 instruments
•96 Patterns (0..96) of up to 128 32nd note steps
•32 songs (0..32) of up to 112 pattern numbers.
Caution: A pattern and a song are 2 different things, that are stored separately in
the DR-2’s memory. A song does not ’contain’ it’s patterns, it only refers to pattern
numbers. For example, imagine song Sn05 and song Sn06 both contain pattern number
Pt35. If you change and store pattern Pt35 (in pattern mode), then both songs Sn05 and
Sn06 (in song mode) will have changed.
Song 5
Song 6
Song 5
Song 6
Pattern35
Pattern35
Pattern35
2.4 Frontpanel overview
You can find 18 rotary knobs, 6 slider knobs and 46 pushbuttons on the frontpanel of
the Modor DR-2.
In a short overview, following controls are found:
•MENU/YES and EXIT/NO menu buttons.
•PATTERN button to select pattern mode.
•DRUMSET button to select drumset mode.
•SONG button to select song mode.
•Drum synthesizer, chapter 3
–6 volume sliders A..F [0, 127]
–6 definable knobs A..F [0, 127] to control 1 user selectable sound parameter
per instrument.
–MODEL button to select the drum synthesis model (or algorithm)
–PITCH control [0,127]. The precise effect is depending on the active drum
model
–pitch env DECAY control [0, 127]
–pitch env AMOUNT control [0, 127]
–pitch env CURVE control [0, 127]
–X control [0, 127]
–Y control [0, 127]
–Z control [0, 127]
–T control [0, 127]
–amp env DECAY [0,127]
11

2.4. FRONTPANEL OVERVIEW CHAPTER 2. OVERVIEW
–amp env CURVE [0,127]
–PAN [-64, +63]
–βbutton to set 1 βmodulation per instrument
–VELOCITY button to set velocity (or accent) modulations
–DEF button to set 1 definable parameter per instrument to be controlled by
the definable knobs A..F
–RANDOM button to set 1 random parameter modulation per instrument
•Drum sequencer, chapter 4
–6 channel or instrument selection buttons A..F
–1 accent channel selection button
–RECORD, PLAY and STOP buttons
–αand βbuttons to program αand βsequencer lines
–REV button to program envelope reverses
–BREAK button to program immediate note mutes
–FLAM button to program double hits
–SHIFT button to access extra functions
–16/32 button to program 32nd notes and events
–1-16, 17-32, 33-48, and 49-64 pattern part selection buttons.
–16 step buttons
–BPM encoder (doubling up as SELECT control in the menu)
–SWING control (doubling up as VALUE control in the menu)
12

3
Drum synthesizer
3.1 Drum models or algorithms
The DR-2 uses drum ’models’ or drum synthesis algorithms that create a drum sound
when a trigger from the DR-2’s step sequencer or MIDI receiver comes in. At this
moment, the available drum models are:
•DIST BD: a sinewave bassdrum that has a parallel filtered distortion path
•NOISE BD: a overdriven triangle bassdrum with a filtered noise burst attack
•SQUARE BD: a square wave oscillator bassdrum with lowpass and notch filters
•SNARE: a snare drum algorithm using 6 sinewave FM oscillators and a ’snappy’
noise burst
•MARCHING SNARE: a much ’tighter’ marching band type of snare drum
•ANALOG SNARE: an ’electronic’ sounding snare algorithm with 2 overdriven
triangle waves and a ’snappy’ noise burst
•CLAPS: a heavily filtered white noise burst with multiple triggering
•HIHAT: short to medium long hits of ’cymbal noise’ and white noise
•RIDE CYMBAL: a set of bandpass and hipass filters working on cymbal noise
•CRASH CYMBAL: a series of 6 parallel bandpass filters filtering white noise
and cymbal noise
•TOM: a set of 3 overdriven triangle wave oscillators with a filtered init noise
burst
•TENORDRUM: a series of 32 sine oscillators with different tuning and length
settings, and a filtered attack noise burst
•RIMSHOT: 3 sine waves that get overdriven and highpass filtered
•RATTLE: a short clicky sound with 2 base frequencies, with retriggering possi-
bility to make ’rattle’ sounds.
•COWBELL: a series of 18 cowbell tuned sine oscillators with different tunings,
with a lowpass filter and a noisy init click
Future firmware upgrades will include new drum models.
Selecting an algorithm: Push the MODEL button to cycle through the different
available drum synthesis algorithms, SHIFT+MODEL cycles the other way round.
13

3.2. ENVELOPE GENERATOR CHAPTER 3. DRUM SYNTHESIZER
3.2 Envelope generator
The DR-2 runs a special envelope generator, serving all the different drum models.
The possible DECAY range is mostly adapted to the specific drum algorithm, but apart
from that the envelopes are identical for all drum models.
Envelopes used in drum synthesis aren’t very complex. In synthesizers you most
often see ADSR envelopes, or even more complex envelopes such as the Modor NF-1’s
4-stage envelopes. In drum synthesis you need decay-only envelopes, a control value
starting at high level (1) and dropping to low level (0). A drum sound starts loud, and
drops to silence. It’s pitch starts high, and drops to a low pitch. So, you don’t need
attack, sustain or release settings. Only a DECAY setting.
However, there’s another very important property of envelopes used in drum sound
synthesis: its curvature. Does the envelope drop to zero in a uniform, linear way? Or
does it drop fast in the beginning, slowing down towards the end? The envelopes in
the DR-2 have next to the DECAY rate, also a CURVE parameter. Behind the CURVE
parameter of the DR-2’s envelope generators there are 5 different curvature types:
Linear full left, 8 ’o clock setting
of the CURVE knob:
The linear envelope drops uni-
formly from 1to 0. For the math
freaks, it follows a y= (1 −ax)
curve, abeing a decay speed pa-
rameter.
Squared linear at 10 ’o clock set-
ting of the CURVE knob:
In between the linear and expo-
nential curve is the squared linear
curve: y= (1 −ax)2
Exponential central, 12 ’o clock
setting:
This is the most extensively used
curve in drum synthesis, as it
matches to many natural decay
processes. It drops fast in the
beginning, and slows down while
dropping, theoretically never com-
ing to an end. It follows a y=
e−ax curve.
Squared reciprocal 2 ’o clock set-
ting:
In between the exponential and re-
ciprocal curve is the squared recip-
rocal, y=a
x+a2
.
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3.2. ENVELOPE GENERATOR CHAPTER 3. DRUM SYNTHESIZER
Reciprocal Full right, 4 ’o clock
setting:
The reciprocal curve also drops
fast at the beginning, even faster
then an exponential curve, but it
slows down a lot earlier, result-
ing in a different curvature with a
longer tail that never really seems
to stop decaying. It follows a y=
a
x+acurve.
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3.3. BASS DRUMS CHAPTER 3. DRUM SYNTHESIZER
3.3 Bass drums
3.3.1 Drive BD
The first bass drum model is the Drive BD. This model uses a very basic sinewave
bassdrum, that has a parallel drive&filter path that can be mixed with the dry sine
bassdrum to get harmonic overtones in a certain frequency range.
The sinewave oscillator creates a basic bassdrum sound using the pitch, pitch en-
velope and amp envelope settings. Then, the signal is split and routed directly to the
output, and to the drive and filter part.
In this part, the basic sinewave is overdriven and clipped using a quite hard sat-
uration curve. This creates a broad range of overtones on top of the basic sinewave
frequency. This clipped sound is then filtered using a resonant 12dB/oct bandpass fil-
ter, and finally overdriven and clipped again with a softer saturation curve to get some
overtones of the filter and/or resonance frequency. The result of this can be dry/wet
mixed with the original unaltered sinewave bassdrum.
•X controls the bandpass filter cutoff
•Y controls the bandpass filter resonance, upto self oscillation
•Z controls the overdrive gain
•T controls the dry/wet mix
DRIVE BD
AMP MIX OUT
PITCH
ENV
AMP
ENV T
ZX,Y
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