Article Preview - Logic: Understanding Ultrabeat

In the first part of this workshop, published last month, we had a look at the basic functions of the Assignment and Step Sequencer sections of Ultrabeat. This month we'll investigate its Synthesizer section and look at some additional features that can expand your sonic and musical horizons. (The Instrument and Effects reference manual has an excellent section for Ultrabeat, as well as an introduction to basic synthesis and a splendid tutorial on how to program drum sounds, so try to study that, as well as some of Ultrabeat's presets.)

Ultrabeat follows the basic principles of analogue subtractive synthesis, but with many additional advanced features.

There are three basic sound generators: Oscillators 1 and 2 plus a noise generator. A fourth possibility is the ring modulator, which uses Osc 1 and 2 as its inputs. Also available are a filter/distortion section, in the centre of the main window, and, on the right-hand side, an Output section. Modulation sources include two LFOs, four Envelope Generators and four user-definable MIDI Continuous Controllers. The basic Ultrabeat signal flow is shown below. There are several 'gotchas' to watch out for, including the Power switches for the Oscillators and LFOs, and the signal routing buttons, which are red when activated (see the screenshot, right). It's important to remember that Ultrabeat has 25 voices available, and that each one has its own complete synth section like this. Ultrabeat is big, and powerful!

Oscillator 1 has three basic modes of operation — but it won't be operating at all unless you remember to switch it on with its Power switch! In Phase synth mode it can produce all the necessary basic synthesis waveforms by means of adjustment of its Slope, Saturation and Asymmetry controls (the screen on the right shows the settings for a square wave). The pitch is adjusted by a slider next to the output volume knob, and to tune in cents of a semitone you can hold down the Shift key while adjusting the pitch control.

In FM mode (great for digital-sounding bells and clangs), Osc 1 generates a sine wave that can be frequency...