Sunshine Jones SE-02 User manual

3 OSCILLATOR ANALOG MONOPHONIC SYNTHESIZER
SE-02
A USER’S GUIDE TO THE ROLAND/STUDIO ELECTRONICS SE-02
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
This manual was assembled, illustrated, and written by Sunshine Jones. All of the contents is taken from either his
personal experience, existing documentation, and techniques submitted and found in the public domain. The
document is intended as a companion guide for the Roland/Studio Electronics SE-02 Synthesizer Module. It is in no
way offered as a criticism, or intended to be an authoritative guide to replace the official documentation which
accompanies the commercial purchase of Roland Boutique, or Roland AIRA musical instruments.
Rather, this manual is intended to support the musician, the user of these and other synthesizer modules and inspire
them to create music, share sounds, and fully realize the synthesizers in front of them.
In the tradition of owner’s manuals, rarely are they opened until problems arise. We tell you over and over again to
RTFM, but do you listen? No, no you don’t. Manuals should be both tools for reference and instruction, as well as
inspirational guides to possibility. An owner’s manual should be equally a pre purchase discovery, meant to inspire
the curious with capability and possibility, and a post purchase celebration of depth, technique, guidance, and
surprises. But this is by no means the last word. So many people have read and re read a manual only to still have no
idea what the manual was attempting to suggest. This owner’s manual is offered free of charge to anyone curious, or
frustrated by the tiny little leaflet which covers the operations of the SE-02 in several languages, as a legible
alternative to the official documentation.
This manual is not associated in any way, personally or professionally with anyone connected to the Roland
Corporation or Studio Electronics. The task was undertaken in a moment of fury, and assembled, proof read, and
then hastily produced exclusively for love, and pleasure.
It is our hope that as the result you will begin to explore and discover layers of sound and joy which were previously
overlooked. We hope and trust that you will use the PATCH worksheets to document your discoveries, and our
extensive encouragement to share, and import patches of your own into a thriving community of exploration and
delight.
If you wish to correspond with the author of this manual you may do so by navigating your web browser to the
following destination:
http://sunshine-jones.com
The original article and a bank of patches may be found within the non-fiction section of the site.
While no rights are reserved for the copyrighted materials, nor the registered trademarks discussed or absorbed into
this manual, the assemblage itself and subsequent sound examples, illustrations, and concept are offered exclusively
under the Creative Commons license of share and share alike. This is and shall always be free of charge to the
reader, and user of the Roland/Studio Electronics SE-02 synthesizer module, and must never be offered for sale or
barter. This is freeware, and free information for all.
With Love
Sunshine Jones
August 2017
San Francisco, California
Version 0.1C
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CONTENTS
Acknowledgements …………… 3
Basic Connections …………… 6
Introduction …………………… 7
I. GENERAL FUNCTIONS
Common Section ……………… 8
USB Interface ……………… 9
Data Backup & Restore …… 10
Preset Section …… 11
Manual Mode …… 11
Compare …… 12
Keyboard …… 12
Shifting The Pitch Range ……. 12
Transpose ………….. 12
II. FUNCTIONS FOR SOUND CREATION
Control ………………….…… 13
Oscillators ………………………. 14
XMOD ………………………. 16
Mixer ………………………. 17
Filter ………….…………… 18
Filter Envelope ……………………. 20
Amplifier Envelope ……………………. 21
LFO ……………………. 22
Delay ……………………. 24
III. FUNCTIONS FOR PERFORMANCE
Sequencer Mode ……….. 25
Selecting and Playing Patterns ……. 25
Entering Notes ………. 25
Entering Gates ………. 26
Synth Parameter Values ………. 26
Performance Settings ………. 26
Sequence Parameteres ………. 27
Song Mode ……….. 28
Selecting/Playing Songs ………… 28
Song Edit …………. 28
IV. SYSTEM SETTINGS
Patch Setup …………… 30
Velocity Routing …………… 30
Systen Setup ……………. 31
Firmware Update ……………. 31
Main Specifications ……….. 32
Options …………………….. 32
IV. CV/GATE/TRIGGER
CV ……………………… 33
GATE ……………………… 33
VCF-VC ……………………… 33
CV JACK SETTINGS ……………………… 33
TRIGGER ……………………… 34
V. MIDI ……………………… 35
MIDI Implementation Chart ………… 36
Sound Synthesis Memo …………… 38
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BASIC CONNECTIONS
NOTE - the use of the Commodore VIC-20™ for the purposes of illustrating a personal computer in this diagram does not suggest
that a Commodore VIC-20™ will work in this instance. The fact is, the Commodore VIC-20™ doesn’t even have a USB port on it,
nor do we know of a currently produced or functional ADB to USB adaptation technique. The Commodore VIC-20™ was used in this
illustration because it looks cool, it fit into the graphic nicely, and also perhaps to subconsciously introduce the idea that perhaps a
computer is less of an inspirational musical instrument in the end than we might have originally hoped it would be. The idea of
computers and music was once a thrilling concept - what sequencer isn’t a computer of sorts, right? And yet as the world funnels
down into tiny screens, and distraction it seems that our focus might be better placed into a more diverse and authentically
inspirational tools which give back in a deeper and broader way.
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INTRODUCTION
The SE-02's monophonic synthesizer engine features three voltage-controlled oscillators, a voltage-controlled 24 dB
low-pass filter, and a dual gain-stage amplifier. The oscillators have six different kinds of waveforms with the warmth
and complex character associated with true analog VCOs. What’s more, these VCOs are temperature stabilized with
automatic tuning, so you get all the benefits and none of the downsides.
The SE-02 is big and bold, with thick, rich lows and clear, vibrant highs—exactly what you think of when you imagine
classic vintage synth tone. And while the SE-02 can create astonishingly great vintage sounds, it can do so much
more. It has three types of cross modulation (XMOD), a ripping filter feedback loop, a tempo-syncing LFO with nine
waveforms, envelope sweeping and inverting, oscillator sync, a noise generator, and a tempo-syncing delay.
While it’s a compact “go-anywhere” device, the knobs, switches, and buttons are sturdy and plentiful, giving you a
vast palette of sound-shaping capabilities at your fingertips. Everything is hands-on and knob-per-function, with deep
control and a logical, intuitive layout. To get started, you can choose from 384 expertly programmed preset sounds
that cover a wide range of classic and modern tones. Tweak and modify these sounds or create something
completely new, storing your own custom creations in the 128 available user locations.
Modern Flexibility
The SE-02 is built solidly with a rugged metal top and quality knobs and switches. And despite having a control for
just about everything, it’s small enough to take just about anywhere. Due to its Roland Boutique format, it fits in our
K-25m or DK-01 accessory docks, so you can add an integrated 25-key mini keyboard or have various tilt options for
easy access in a variety of live and studio situations.
The SE-02 also features convenient 1/8-inch stereo jacks that reduce cable clutter, plus full-sized, standard MIDI
jacks for connecting any kind of keyboard you want or controlling the SE-02 remotely. And as with other Roland
Boutique synths, Chain Mode lets you increase the polyphony by connecting two or more SE-02 units together via
MIDI.
There are CV inputs for both pitch and filter frequency, as well as trigger in and out, so the SE-02 works great with
modular setups and other vintage gear. You can route external audio signals through the filter section, and there’s
even USB audio and MIDI capabilities to seamlessly integrate with computer-based setups.
A More Musical Sequencer
The SE-02 includes a powerful 16-step sequencer to add motion and dimension to your sounds. It can sync to
external tempo via MIDI, USB, or trigger input, and per-step gate time, adjustable glide, tempo, and patch number are
stored with each sequence. Creative performance features allow you to set shuffle, scale, direction, and first/last
steps on the fly. Even synth parameters can be automated by sequencing changes—just press a step and move a
control. And despite the SE-02s compact size, the sequencer is fun and intuitive, lending itself to both studio and live
usage. You can store 128 sequence patterns and construct 16 songs, each with up to 16 parts.
About Studio Electronics
Studio Electronics has been a leader in excellence and ingenuity in analog synthesizer design since 1988. Makers of
the revered MidiMini, SE-1(X), ATC-1(X), Omega 8, CODE 8, Boomstar, Boomstar Modular, and Tonestar: Premium-
Quality-Analog musical instruments, hand-built in the USA.
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I. GENERAL FUNCTIONS
COMMON SECTION
The Common Section of the SE-02 is where bank and patch information is stored and recalled for performance.
The first knob is the VALUE /WRITE knob. This is how you scroll through data and fine tune selections. This knob is
used for PATCH selection as well as settings within the operating system. Clicking the VALUE knob will enter WRITE
mode, and the the synthesizer will ask for a destination in the user bank for where to write the current sound or
pattern. Don’t worry, it will ask you to confirm before overwriting anything, and any writing to memory must be
confirmed by a second click.
Next is the MODE SELECT SWITCH where you can switch between PATCH, SEQUENCE or SONG mode.
The buttons marked with COMP, PLAY, TRANSPOSE, OCT- and OCT + are the FUNCTION SELECT buttons for the
common section. These perform different functions depending on which mode you are in. These are the buttons to
access the settings for the SE-02. In PATCH mode, use these buttons to access a playable, and transposable
keyboard. In SEQUENCE mode, use these buttons to choose the type of data you wish to sequence - Note, Gate,
Glide, Parameters, or select the Scale of the sequence. In SONG mode, these buttons edit, select patterns, insert
and delete steps of the song’s chain.
The set of 4 buttons marked A,B, C and USER are the BANK selection buttons
The second set of 16 buttons are the PATCH selection buttons
To select a bank choose the bank from the A, B, C or USER section and then select the patch.
To select a patch use the corresponding number buttons for the patch you’d like to call up.
For example: To Call up patch C 101 simply press BANK C, and then Button 1, Button 0 and then Button 1.
You can also just scroll through them all with the VALUE knob. But sometimes that really takes much too long, so it’s
good to know more than one way to get around.
To store a patch is just as simple. But note that the internal banks A, B and C are not user writable. The sounds are
stored in memory and can not be changed. The USER bank offers 128 locations for your own patches, and when
attempting to store a patch, the SE-02 will direct you to the USER bank.
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USB INTERFACE
In the past many synthesizers came equipped with various interfaces. Connection methods like CV and Gate, Din
Sync, S Trig, DCB, Tape I/O allowed synthesizers to connect to clocks, tape machines, sequencers and drum tracks.
Thanks to the universal serial bus with which most personal computers are equipped today we have a number of
interesting ways to handle these once complicated and tedious operations.
The USB connection port can be used to:
•!Pass midi as well as audio data to and from a computer based DAW
•!Mount the Synthesizer to the desktop of a computer and backup and/or restore and share your patches.
•!Mount the Synthesizer to the desktop for software updates.
NOTE: The SE-02 works differently from the other Roland Boutique modules. The USB Port will not power the
synthesizer, nor are there batteries for autonomous power. The Roland PSB 1U power supply must be used in order
to power the SE-02.
DATA BACKUP & RESTORE
One of the coolest things about the boutique line of modules is their ability to mount onto the desktop of any USB
enabled computer and you can drag and drop your patches in order to save them. This is much handier than the old
fashioned midi librarian software, or the ancient and rarely reliable tape backup interface (although that actually is a
thrill and you might want to try it sometime.)
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To mount the SE-02 to your desktop follow this procedure:
1. Use a micro USB cable with a standard USB connector on the end.
2. Connect the micro end to the SE-02 and restart the synth holding down the [2] button.
3. Lights will dance, this means the SE-02 is awaiting connection to the computer.
4. Connect the USB cable to the computer and a drive icon named SE-02 will appear on the desktop. It takes a
moment, so relax and trust that all is well.
To create a backup of your patches:
1. Follow the above procedure for mounting the SE-02
2. Copy the backup files from the SE-02 drive into an appropriately named folder on your computer
3. Once you’re done, eject the SE-02 drive, disconnect the USB cable.
4. Note that all buttons in the common section are blinking green.
5. Once noted you may power cycle the SE-02 and you’re done.
To bring patches from your computer into the SE-02:
1. Connect the micro end to the SE-02 and restart the synth holding down the [3] button.
2. Copy the backup files, or the new patches you’d like to check out into the appropriate “PATCH”, “PATTERN” or
“SONG” folder on the SE-02 drive
*NOTE: The 128 items in these folders represent the USER BANKS. The factory patches of the SE-02 can not
be overwritten.
3. When copying is completed, eject the SE-02 drive.
4. Before power cycling the module note that all buttons are blinking Orange.
5. Once confirmed you may power cycle the SE-02 and disconnect the USB cable and you’re done.
What’s so big about that? Any system exclusive file utility can do the same thing, why is this important?
Well, the simplicity and visual aspect of this process is so novel that really anyone with basic computer skills can do
it. This makes the process of file/patch sharing very easy. It’s surprising that there aren’t many amazing SE-02 or
other Roland Boutique patches out there for the sharing and contributing to isn’t it? It’s possible that this process is
just so easy, and painless to do that people still believe they need to connect a cassette deck, and record the sysex
audio to tapes and then ship them to friends in order to share their files. Or many people are afraid to give away their
precious patches? I’m not sure, but I think it’s pretty cool, and I plan to come up with a bank of patches or two and
offer them up for anyone interested in them. I’d also be very keen to see how others have undertaken the SE-02 in
their own situations. Can you tell I think that patch exchanges are awesome? I do. And while I rarely use patches
from other sound designers, I love to explore what synthesizers are capable of, and sometimes the best way to do
that is by seeing how Carl Craig, or someone I’ve never heard of does it.
Restore the SE-02 to factory settings:
This is the procedure for resetting your SE-02 back to it’s factory state. Remember that if you do this, all your settings
and all your sounds will be overwritten with the out of the box, factory fresh programming.
1. While holding down the [1] button, turn on the power.
2. The display should read “rSt”. If it doesn’t try that again. If you change your mind and decide not to go through
with the reset, just power off the SE-02 and then turn it back on.
3. To execute the rest press the MANUAL button
4. When the display reads “F in”, restart the SE-02 and it’ll be just the way it was the day you got it.
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PRESET SECTION
Unlike the other Roland Boutique synthesizers, the SE-02 has three banks of programmed presets. While all of the
Boutique synths arrive with all of their preset destinations filled with sound examples to show what the synthesizers
can do, the SE-02 hosts three permanent banks of sounds.
BANK A, B and C
Pre programmed patches permanently fixed into the memory. There are a wide variety of sounds here, and some
have fun sequences associated with them. A great way to get a good idea of the patches intention is to go through
the sequences and listen. They don’t exactly correspond with the sequential order of the patches, but it’s still a great
overview.
USER BANK
128 user programmable patches. Each of these 128 patch destinations have sounds in them, but they can be
overwritten by the user to store 128 patches for later use, and exchange with other SE-02 users.
PHILOSOPHY
Consider that before the open architecture of the synthesizer was well established, the very idea of a “patch” meant
that cables were physically connected between modules to create a sound, like in a modular synthesizer. This is
where the word “patch” comes from. In early digital synthesizers, the possibility to save and later recall a patch was a
revolutionary concept which was previously impossible. So the SE-02 is shipped with a basic set of presets to give
users some idea of what a three oscillator, analog synthesizer might be capable of.
While there are a wide array of sounds demonstrating what the synth can do, rather than begrudge this lack of space
to save your own sounds, consider them a helpful starting point from which to create your own version of these
sounds. Mercifully the backup and restore features of the SE-02 is so easy, that when you find you need more than
128 slots for your sounds, you can simply follow the procedure for backing up, and then freely overwrite the sounds
with new ones, drag and drop to re arrange, and refine the patch order and contents of the USER BANK.
MANUAL MODE
In order to listen to the current settings of the knobs on the panel of the SE-02 simply press the MANUAL button. This
will switch from whichever preset is currently selected to report the physical settings of the synthesizer. To return to
the presets select the bank, and desired patch number.
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COMPARING PATCHES
To compare the currently-edited patch with a saved patch.
Press the COMP button.
Each time you press the button, you switch between the saved patch (button lit) and the currently-edited patch
(button unlit)."
If there are any differences between the currently-edited patch and the saved patch, a dot appears in the display, and
the entire content shown in the display blinks.
USING THE COMMON BUTTONS AS A KEYBOARD
You can use the [5] – [16] buttons as a one-octave keyboard to play the sound.
This produces a 1 octave keyboard which can be transposed.
1. Press the PLAY button.
The [5] –[16] buttons are lit.
2. Press the [5] –[16] buttons to play the keyboard
SHIFTING THE PITCH RANGE
Transpose the keyboard in +/- 1 octave intervals with a range of +3/-3 octaves..
1. Press the OCT+ button or OCT– button.
At one octave, the button is lit; at two octaves, the button blinks slowly; at three octaves, the button blinks rapidly.
TRANSPOSING THE PITCH
You can transpose the pitch in semitone units in a range of ±1 octaves.
1. Hold down the TRANSPOSE button and press the OCT+ button or OCT– button. The display indicates the
transpose value. You can also change this value by holding down the TRANSPOSE button and turning the VALUE
knob.
2. Press the [TRANSPOSE] button to turn transpose on/off.
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II. FUNCTIONS FOR SOUND CREATION
CONTROL
The CONTROL section is where you adjust the GLIDE and MODULATION WHEEL settings for the SE-02.
GLIDE KNOB
Adjusts the timing of the portamento/glide between notes. Counter clockwise is just about imperceptible, and as you
proceed turning the knob to the right the effect of the glide increases.
GLIDE TYPE SWITCH
The type of glide is adjustable between OFF, Exponential, and Linear.
OFF - No glide effect at all
LINEAR - A mathematically correct, or linear curve is used for the glide between notes
EXPONENTIAL - A exaggerated curve which more accurately approximates the human ear is used for the glide.
Experiment:
Press the PLAY button to bring up the internal keyboard and play a few notes.
Select EXPONENTIAL GLIDE, and then rotate the knob clockwise. Listen to the changes between notes.
Switch to LINEAR MODE and repeat the above exploration. Do you notice a difference?
Glide can make things wet, plastic, and fluid, but it is also very emotive with long, slow performances. Spend some
time with glide, and discover how interesting it can be.
MOD WHEEL MIX KNOB
This knob sets what the mod wheel of you r midi controller, or MIDI CC data for Modulation will do to the sound of the
SE-02. The knob mixes between LFO and XM. This means that at counterclockwise the mod wheel will only engage
the LFO. At all clockwise the mod wheel will only engage the cross modulation. At 12 o’clock there will be a mixture of
50% LFO and 50% XMOD.
Experiment:
1. Connect the SE-02 to a controller keyboard with a Mod Wheel (or establish a connection with a DAW and select
MIDI CC data for sending Mod Wheel controllers to the SE-02.)
2. Choose a patch you like and pay a few notes.
3. Now pend the mod wheel and listen to what’s happening.
4. Adjust the MOD WHEEL MIX KNOB and see how the results change.
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OSCILLATORS
The SE-02 is a 3 Oscillator analog monophonic synthesizer and the OSCILLATOR section is central to sound
creation. With three oscillators mixing through a single filter/envelope section resulting in one synthesizer voice an
inspiring array of sounds can be produced. At its root, a great bass sound can be made with a single oscillator, a
second can be added to crete sub harmonics. Invert this idea and raise the range of oscillator 2 and find organ and
other harmonics which create texture and interesting tones. The third oscillator is added to produce a sub harmonic
for the complex waveform already created, or can be set into LOW mode where oscillator 3 acts as a modulation
source for XMOD and PWM behavior. Or set them all the same, and then fine tune each one into a chord.
The relationships between waveforms, range, and tuning alone can become fully engaging. Subtle changes produce
huge differences in how the waveforms relate to one another and what inevitably comes out the speakers. A
thoughtful exploration of this section, taking your time, and repeating ideas can result in a superb self-education in the
basics of analog synthesis.
OSCILLATOR 1 & 2
RANGE
Sets the overall frequency range of the Oscillator’s tuning from LO, 32’, 16’, 8’, 4’ and 2’
TUNE/FINE
Tunes Oscillator 1’s pitch. Fine is the relative tuning of Oscillator 2’s pitch in relation to Oscillator 1. With analog
equipment tuning is important. Sometimes setting the TUNE pot to 12 o’clock doesn’t actually mean that you are in
tune. Get out a guitar tuner, or call up a tuning plugin on your DAW and play a middle D note. Is it in tune? While
there is an auto tuning feature on the SE-02 and the nature of modern electronics is more stable than vintage analog,
remember that the SE-02 is still an analog synthesizer and it’s always a good idea to allow them to warm up before
tuning, and needing to at least verify the tuning before beginning to play.
WAVEFORM
This is the waveform selector for Oscillator 1 & 2 (respectively.)
Choose between TRIANGLE, NARROW TRIANGLE (somewhere between a triangle wave and a saw wave),
SAWTOOTH, SQUARE WAVE, PULSE WAVE 1 (wide,) and PULSE WAVE 2 (narrow.)
Experiment: With only OSCILLATOR 1 turned up in the mixer, and the filter open enough to hear what you’re doing,
switch between the waves and listen to what they sound like. TRIANGLE is deep and pretty, SAW is sharp and a little
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gritty, SQUARE is big and beautiful. Now switch the range around - listen to a very high SAW, and check out a very
low PULSE. These are the building blocks of all sounds. Get a feel for how to create them, and what they’re called.
SYNC SWITCH
This switch engages and disengages oscillator sync. In an analog synth, waveforms can report in and out of phase.
This means that waveforms start, and unfold over time differently. Sync is how we force these waveforms to play
together at the same time. The sync switch will force Oscillator 2 to return to the beginning of it’s cycle (start again)
whenever the master waveform starts again. This puts the waveform into a mandatory synchronization with the wave
cycle of oscillator 1.
Experiment: Set Oscillator 1 and 2 to playback sawtooth waveforms. Adjust the tuning of OSC 2 until it feels
interesting to you. Now engage sync. What’s happened to the sound? Disengage sync. Listen again. Sometimes you
want sync for effect, other times you need sync for stability. Sometimes you really don’t want sync at all.
OSCILLATOR 3
RANGE
Sets the overall frequency range of the Oscillator’s tuning from LO, 32’, 16’, 8’, 4’ and 2’
FINE
Tunes Oscillator 3’s pitch relative to the tuning of Oscillator 1.
WAVEFORM
This is the waveform selector for Oscillator 3.
Choose between TRIANGLE, REVERSE SAW, SAWTOOTH, SQUARE WAVE, PULSE WAVE 1 (wide,) and PULSE
WAVE 2 (narrow.)
ENV-1 KNOB
This knob adjusts the amount of modulation is applied from the filter envelope to the frequency of Oscillator 2. At 12
o’clock the result is nil. Rotating clockwise results in a positive modulation, and counterclockwise results in a negative
modulation. Using frequency modulation with the Oscillators can seem counter intuitive to those just learning about
analog synthesizers. Why would we want the sound to go in and out of tune? Try turning this up a bit, and then
adjusting the filter envelope. Turn things up pretty far. Sometimes the effect is a gentle wave of vibrato, and other
times it’s just madness. Explore. Don’t be afraid to make some noise.
KEYBOARD SWITCH
This switch tuns on and off keyboard tracking for Oscillator 3. When using OSC 3 as a modulation source, it’s a nice
thing to be able to turn off the keyboard tracking so the modulation can do it’s own thing. It’s also interesting to drone
out OSC 3 without key tracking as a juxtaposition with tracked notes from OSC 1 & 2.
XMOD SWITCH
This is the selector switch for assigning which XMOD setting will be effected by the mod wheel.
A- OSC 2 Modulates the FILTER cutoff frequency
B- OSC 3 Modulates the waveform of OSC 2
C - Allows OSC 3 to modulate the pulse width of OSC 1 & 2 (which only works if you’ve selected a square or pulse
wave for OSC 1 and 2 - otherwise it won’t do anything.)
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XMOD
The XMOD section is were you select how cross modulation will be applied. Cross Modulation is described as XMOD
(the X is a cross, and MOD is short for modulation) and also frequency modulation. Frequency modulation is a vital
component to analog sound design, and voltage control. It’s easy to turn any cross modulation knob and conclude
that it’s a sort of crazy freak-out. But in measured and intentional amounts, XMOD can turn a simple pulse wave into
a metallic ping, or a taught drum skin.
O2-FILTER
The O2-FILTER knob allows OSC 2 to modulate the cutoff frequency of the filter. This means that when you rotate the
O2-FILTER knob, the frequency of the filter for the SE-02 will begin to modulate to the wave shape of OSC 2.
Experiment: Turn down the volume of OSC 2 and 3. Lower the filter to create a deep, moody sound. Set the
Waveform of OSC 2 to sine, and set the range to LO. Turn the O2-FILTER knob and listen to the wave shape of OSC
2 begin to modulate the filter frequency.
O3-O2
The O3-FILTER knob allows OSC 3 to modulate the waveform of OSC 2. This means that the waveform of OSC 2 is
changed by the waveform of OSC 3 and this makes for some crazy audio hooliganism. If the filter can be modulated
by OSC 2, and the shape of OSC 2 can modulate the waveform of OSC 2 then the ramifications of this, and the
impact on the sound can be very exciting.
O3-PW1,2
The O3-PW 1 and 2 knob allows OSC 3 to modulate the pulse width of OSC 1 and OSC 2. In essence this is how
PWM (pulse width modulation) is achieved in the SE-02. PWM is a wonderful way to animate the width of the pulse
waveform. If you haven’t set the waveform of oscillator 1 or 2 to PULSE/SQUARE then this won’t have any effect on
the output.
Experiment: Set OSC 1 to make a SQUARE wave. Turn off the other sounds. Play a few notes and adjust the filter
and envelope to make a sound you really like. Set OSC 3 to LO range, and a rising SAW waveform. Now slowly
increase the level of O3-PW knob and listen to what happens to the texture of the sound. Do you hear a difference?
Go further and turn up OSC 2 and set it to a SQUARE waveform, and tune it to very close to unison with OSC 1, but
not quite. Now rotate the O3-PW knob again and listen to the pulse width begin to modulate to the wave shape of
OSC 3. Pretty cool, right?
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MIXER
This is the section where the outputs of OSCILLATOR 1, 2, 3 and NOISE are established and mixed in relation to one
another. There is also a FEEDBACK knob which adjusts how much of the SE-02 output is returned to the input of the
FILTER section.
OSC-1, OSC-2, & OSC-3
Adjust the output level of each oscillator, and mix them together. For a pure noise output first turn up the noise level,
and then turn down the knobs for OSC 1, 2 and 3. Level mixing can help to shape and create interesting sounds as a
practice on its own. Blending a SQUARE wave into two SAWTOOTH waves can have an interesting result in and of
itself with and without additional modulation.
FEEDBACK
Adjusts the amount of the SE-02’s output (except for the DELAY) This can change the the nature of the sound
radically.
Experiment: For a close look at how FEEDBACK shapes sound, try turning off the volume of OSC 2 and OSC 3 and
listen only to OSC 1. Now increase the FEEDBACK level and listen to what happens to the sound.
NOISE
Adjust the volume of the noise oscillator. Noise is a wonderful addition to the texture of a sound. It’s also beautiful by
itself.
Experiment: Turn off OSC 1, 2 and 3. Listen to the NOISE. Shape the NOISE with the envelope and filter. Open the
release and listen to the slow decay. Rotate the ATTACK knobs and listen to the slow rise of the NOISE. Shape this
into ocean waves, or the distant sound of some sand storm. Get into it. Add this texture to an oscillator’s wave.
17

FILTER/ENVELOPES
FILTER
These settings determine the brightness and thickness of the sound. Here you can also specify the time- varying
change (filter envelope) for the filter and the time-varying change (amp envelope) for the volume. The filter is a 24dB/
octave ladder design and again has a very similar layout when compared to a classic analog mono synth filter
section, though there are some additional controls like a contour inverting switch, restart on note press and an option
to trigger the amp with a gate or the LFO. The envelopes are really snappy and just like on the classic analog synths,
you get an ADS envelope with switches to enable release control with the decay knob.
CUTOFF
Adjusts the filter cutoff frequency. Clockwise lowers the frequency down to nominal, and counter clockwise opens the
filter completely.
EMPHASIS
Boosts the region near the filter cutoff frequency. Higher values produce greater boost, creating a distinctively
“synthesizer-like” character. This is essentially the resonance function found on most filters, where the moving edge
of the cutoff frequency is exaggerated as EMPHASIS is increased until self oscillation is accomplished.
KEY TRACK [1/3] [2/3]
Specify how the filter cutoff frequency changes in response to the pitch that is played on the keyboard.
[1/3]: The filter cutoff frequency changes by 1/3 of the pitch change."
[2/3]: The filter cutoff frequency changes by 2/3 of the pitch change."
If both switches are on, the filter cutoff frequency changes by the same amount as the change in keyboard pitch.
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CONTOUR
Adjusts the depth of change produced by the specified envelope settings. This is an effect similar to adding a gate
pulse to the filter, and the CONTOUR attenuator controls the amount that the filter envelope will impact the frequency
of the filter.
Experiment: A great way to understand this knob is to set the filter frequency nearly to off, and play a series of notes,
or a sequence. Now rotate the CONTOUR knob clockwise slowly, and listen to the introduction of the envelope and
understand how an envelope effects filter frequency.
MTRIG
If this is on, the filter envelope restarts each time you press a key. That means that if you switch MTRIG on then with
each key played, the filter envelope will re trigger. With the MTRIG switched off, the filter envelope will not be re
triggered, but the envelope shape will be completed before the next key will trigger it again from the beginning.
NORM/INVERT
Specifies the polarity of the envelope that is controlled by the CONTOUR knob. If this is set to “INVERT,” the polarity
is inverted. This is a very handy way of immediately transforming a sound just by effectively “flipping” the envelope.
Experiment: Create a slow attack sound that you like. Now invert the envelope with the switch. Listen to what
happens to the sound. Pretty cool, right?
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ENVELOPES
An envelope is a central method of shaping the sound of a synthesizer. Attack, decay, sustain and release are the 4
main attributes of an envelope. Envelopes can control volume, filter, and other aspects of audio, and voltage.
Triggered by a gate pulse/key/note on the envelope is then fired and will move through its stages until it is either
done, or re triggered by another gate or key.
Attack is the time the envelope takes to rise from silence to full volume.
Decay is the time the envelope takes to fall from full volume to the sustain level.
Sustain is the time the envelope takes to drop from the sustain level to the release level.
Release is the time the envelope takes to fall from the release level to silence.
FILTER ENVELOPE
ATTACK
Specifies the time (attack time) from when the key is pressed until the cutoff frequency reaches the maximum level.
DECAY
Specifies the time (decay time) from when the cutoff frequency reaches the maximum level until it decreases to the
sustain level.
SUSTAIN
Specifies the level (sustain level) that is held after the attack time and decay time have elapsed until the key is
released.
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