Inquiry of Instrument and Effect Parameters

Using Zynthian
1

I have not been able to locate any reference to controlling the parameters and inner most properties of a selected effect or Instrument. While I understand the basic set of specifics is innate to the Instrument where is the greater control of for example. The standard pianos sustain or decay. I understand the innate properties of the stock effect say for example Big Verb. But where is the control for say room size or wet. Is it deeper into the relationship with your software host or is it in the interface and can be controlled internally.

To put it plain. Wheres the envelope control. Lfo. Oscillator control. Or is the Instrument just…the instrument. Or the effects just the effect. Will those Parameters have to be controlled by a third party.

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Hi @Bellirrus - When you select an instrument some of its parameters are mapped to the four rotary controllers. You can change which parameters are mapped, and also map additional controllers via ‘midi learn’ if you wish.

The users guide/wiki ‘should’ help:
https://wiki.zynthian.org/index.php/Zynthian_Users_Guide

And if that’s too general or you can’t find what you’re looking for (hey, great song title) ask away, and please indicate which engine-instrument you’re using and what kind of Zynthian (Home brew, V4, V5 etc.) you have.

3

Hi @Bellirrus! Welcome to the wonderful world of Zynthian.

Zynthian calls its processors and sound synthesis modules, “engines”. Each engine has a set of parameters that may be adjusted by the user. These parameters are shown in pages of up to 4 parameters per page. For example, Fluidsynth has pages:

  • main
  • pedals
  • portamento
  • envelope/filter

On the first page (main) it has the controls:

  • volume
  • pan
  • modulation wheel
  • expression

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You can adjust the sound by using the 4 rotary encoders to change these parameters and switch between pages using the up/down buttons or pressing the SELECT encoder switch on older models.

You access the control view from the mixer view by highlighting the required chain then bold pressing the SELECT button/encoder. If the chain has several engines then each is shown, one after the other, for example in the screenshot above there are the 4 pages for Fluidsynth followed by a page of controls for Roomy reverb effect.

Each engine has a different set of parameters. Some very simple processors may have none whilst more complex synthesisers may have many.

There are user guides on the wiki. It is worth reading these and then asking questions if you are confused about any aspects.

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