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This web page describes some fundamental sound editing features. A complete manual comprising all features can be downloaded here:
NLog Synthesizer Manual - Full Version
NLog implements a classical analouge style synthesizer with two oscillators, noise generator, frequency modulation, ring modulator, filter, 3 envelope generators, 2 LFOs and a stereo effect section containing distortion, chorus and delay.
Both osciallators are implemented based on a custom, studio quality alias-free algorithm. They are separately tunable ("Pitch") with fine grained detuning ("Detune") at the second one. Both provide 20 waveforms ("Wave") including classic analouge style sine, triangle, sawtooth and square as well as wavetable-like sounds. The first osc, when waveform is set to square ("sqr"), also provides pulse-width ("PW") control which can be modulated by LFO1. The blend between both oscillators can be controlled by the "Osc Mix" button and modulated with LFO2. You can turn off an osciallator without modifying the blend by simply selecting the "off" waveform.
Osc1 can modulate Osc2's frequency. For classical FM synthesis turn "Osc Mix" to 1.0 to isolate FM-controlled output of oscillator 2. Intensity of modulation is controlled by "FM" knob. Play around with different "Pitch" and "Detune" settings as well as different waveforms. Start with "sin" wave in the beginning, then move to more complex ones. By modulating the "FM" or Osc1's pitch parameter with LFOs or Envelope 3 you can create highly complex and fantastic sounds and patches. Blend Osc1's modulation signal into the mix by turning "Osc Mix" back from 1.0 to lower values. The blend can also be modulated by LFO 2.
Blend with the "Ring" knob into the ring modulated signal of both osciallators. Use this classic electronic music effect for example to add additional higher partials and make sounds more crisp and brilliant. You can modulate the "Ring" parameter with LFO 2 or Evelope 3.
NLog Synth contains a generator for white noise. The "Noise" knob blends between oscillator mix and noise. The blend can be modulated by LFO 2 or Evenlope 3.
The filter carefully implements a classical analogue filter. Version 2.0 contains 6 genuine filter types: A lowpass (LP) which damps higher frequencies, a highpass (HP) which removes low frequencies, and a bandpass (BP) which selects only a specific range of frequencies. All LP, HP and BP filter types come in two modes where the steepness of the frequency reduction is different like LP2 has less steepness than LP4. For compatibility of pre-2.0 version of NLog there is the "LPv1" compatibility mode for keeping older patches consistent. By selecting "OFF" as filter type you bypass the filter. The "Cutoff" parameter selects the respecting frequency range while "Resonance" adds additional frequencies by adding feedback, which is a classic analogue style effect.
The filter has its own Evenlope 2 below in the screen. It modulates the cutoff frequency by the amount controlled with "-> Cutoff" paramter. The modulation can be positive or negative for rising or lowering the cutoff frequency. Cutoff can be further modulated by the note you play. With the "Keytrack" parameter the cutoff rises for higher notes, with the "Velocity" knob louder notes rise cutoff. Finally, LFO 1 and LFO 2 can modulate the cutoff as well.
NLog Synth contains 3 envelopes based on classic analogue ADSR model: A means "Attack" and controlls the time to rise to full level when a key is pressed. D means "Decay" and controls the time for falling again after peak has been reached. S means "Sustain" and controls the level "Decay" is falling to. R means "Release" and controls the time the note sounds after a key has been released.
LFO stands for low frequency oscillator which are used to modulate various parameters of NLog Synth. They can be found on "Mod 1" and "Mod 2" pages. Both can be controlled in frequency and waveform. The "Delay" parameter lets the LFO's modulation fade in smoothly controlled by the delay time set. LFO 1 also has a "Sync" switch. When selected, the LFO phases like in a vibrato are synchronized when you play multiple notes at once. The LFO 2 has a "Keymod" switch. When activated, the amount of modulation is controlled by sliding on keys vertically when you play notes. This gives additional expression control. Both LFOs have slightly different modulation target options to give flexibility. Playaround with each of them to experience their behaviour.
There is an independent Envelope 3 for giving extra modulation options without affecting filter and amplifier envelopes. The specific "Velo->A" parameter lets modulate the "Attack" time by velocity of keys pressed. Experiment with modulation of oscillator pitch for implementing drum or sci-fi sounds. The "Noise", "FM" and "Ring" targets let the envelope modulate various aspects and character of the sound patch.
The amplifier on the "Amp 1" screen simply controls volume, pan and the basic envelope. The "Velo->A" parameter lets modulate the "Attack" time by velocity of keys pressed. Use the "Glide" parameter to control speed of the portamento effect when you play notes legato.
The "Amp 2" screen lets access you an effects section with 3 stereo effects: Delay, Chorus and Distortion.
The delay section contains a stereo delay with crossfeedback and damping. "Delay L" and "Delay R" control the delay time of the respective stereo channel. "Feed" controls the amount of feedback within each channel, while "X-Feed" controls the feedback send from one channel to the other. "HiCut" adds damping to the feedback by implementing a simple lowpass filter within the feedback loop. With "HiCut" the delayed signal gets smooth and prevents overdriven feedback. Be careful with adding feedback, it can become very noisy! The "Dry/Wet" knob in the right bottom blends between original and delayed signal.
The chorus section is simply controlled by "Speed" and "Depth" parameter. Use chorus to make sounds more rich and fat.
The amount of distortion is controlled by the "Drive" parameter. "Dry/Wet" blends between the distorted and and original signal. Please be careful with distortion as usual, since sound can be harsh and loud!