Parsec Part 2: Sound Generators

Last week I gave a brief overview of Propellerhead’s rack extension instrument Parsec and discussed the concept of additive synthesis – the addition of multiple sine waves together to create complex harmonic content.  This week I am going to dive into Parsec’s two signal generators.  Each generator can produce up to 512 sine waves, which are then sent through a low pass/high shelf filter with adjustable slope and variable cut off frequency.  Both generators have a waveform/signal selector with a modulation knob, variable octave and tuning knobs, as well as a keyboard follow parameter.

The signal is then passed through the dual modifier section (in series) before reaching a two-channel crossfade.  After this, the combined signals pass through an amplitude envelope, Parsec’s effects sections and then a final gain stage.

Waveform/Signal Selector

Saw -> Square

The modulator sweeps between a sawtooth wave (0%) and a square wave (100%).

Pulse

The pulse selection consists of two alternating pulses that contain all harmonic overtones.  The modulation knob alters the phase between the two pulses, causing phase cancellation for certain overtone frequencies, which results in a more complex timbre.

Frequency Modulation (FM)

This generator works on the principal of frequency modulation.  When the modulator is set to 0, the generator produces a sine wave (operator).  As the modulation knob is increased, the frequency of modulating sine wave increases, altering the operator wave and increasing the harmonic content above the fundamental.

Dual Saw

This selection generates two sawtooth waves at the same frequency.  When the modulator is increased, the second sawtooth wave's pitch is detuned upwards.  At 100%, the second wave is a full octave above the first.

String

This generator simulates the harmonic content of a vibrating string.  As the modulator knob increases, the harmonics are shifted upwards and the spaces between them are "stretched".  Above 50%, the sound becomes more and more inharmonic.

Sparse

This generator operates on the principal of wavetable synthesis, consisting of eight different harmonic overtone series.  The modulation knob alters the position within the wavetable and allows for a smooth transition between the individual overtone series.  There are harmonic and inharmonic versions of this generator.

Ratio

This generator creates hundreds of sine waves at ratio intervals to simulate partial harmonic overtones.  The modulation knob changes the ratio between a pure sine wave (1:1) and sine waves at octave intervals (2:1).  

Noise

This generator produces a range of noise, the color of which is altered by the modulation (bandwidth) knob.  When initialized, this generator produces a pulse wave with noise-modulated particles. As the modulation knob is increased, the bandwidths of each pulse harmonic increases until you get white noise (100%).

FM Noise

The FM Noise generator uses frequency modulation of partials with noise, resulting in a similar, but "sharper"noise than the simple noise generator.

Perc 1 & 2

These two generators create variable frequency content that are useful for creating electronic and metallic percussion sounds.

Thanks for reading.  Stay tuned for the next post where I will discuss Parsec's modifier section.