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Save In the DX7, "Save" describes the process of simul-
taneously placing all 32 internal memory voices into the
correspondingly numbered RAM cartridge memories.
Sawtooth wave A waveform that contains the funda-
mental and both odd and even harmonics. In conven-
tional synthesizers, a sawtooth wave may be used to
create rich, "brassy" sounds. In the DX synthesizers,
such sounds are created by the frequency modulation of
sine waves. However, two sawtooth waves (saw up and
saw down) may be selected at sub-audible frequencies
for use in the LFO section.
Sine wave A pure waveform that contains only the
fundamental and no harmonics. The operators in the
DX synthesizers produce only sine waves. A sine wave
also may be selected at sub-audible frequencies for use
in the LFO section.
Square wave A waveform consisting of the fundamen-
tal plus its odd-order harmonics. In conventional synthe-
sizers, square waves may be used to create hollow,
reedy sounds. In the DX synthesizers, such sounds are
created by the frequency modulation of sine waves.
However, a square wave may be selected at sub-audible
frequencies for use in the LFO section.
Stack In the DX synthesizers, the term refers to a verti-
cally related column of operators. The operator at the
bottom is always a carrier, and those above it in the
stack are modulators. Some algorithms have no stacks
because all the operators are on the bottom row (DX7
algorithm
#
32, for example), whereas others have two or
three stacks (DX7 algorithms
#
1 and
#
5, for example).
Store In the DX7, "Store" describes one of two proc-
esses. In the edit mode, the [STORE] button is used to
copy an envelope from one operator to the next. In the
play mode, the same [STORE] button is used to place
the currently selected voice (the one which is being
played or edited) into any location (1-32) in the internal
or RAM cartridge memories.
Sus-Key Pitch Follow This is an abbreviation for
"Sustain-Key Pitch Follow." See "Key Pitch Follow."
Sus-Key Pitch Retain This is an abbreviaiton for
"Sustain-Key Pitch Retain." See "Key Pitch Retain."
Sustain In a synthesizer, the sustain describes the level
which a note "settles into" while a key is held down, or
while the sustain foot pedal is pressed down. Some
voices have no sustain (no sustain level) in that they
continue to fade out after the initial sound even when
the key is held down. In the DX synthesizers, L3 in the
envelope determines the sustain level.
Sync This is an abbreviation for "synchronize" or "syn-
chronization." In the DX7 there are two types of sync
that may be programmed. One is the LFO KEY SYNC;
when it is ON, the LFO waveform re-starts at the same
point each time you play a note; when it's OFF the LFO
wave continues with each note. The second type of sync
in the DX7 is OSCILLATOR KEY SYNC. When KEY
SYNC is ON, the phase of each note begins at zero,
whereas when the sync is OFF; a smoother transition
occurs to the next note played because the oscillator
does not re-start at zero phase. (We use the term "oscilla-
tor" loosely here; the DX actually has digital circuits
which simulate oscillators.) Sometimes a voice will
sound more natural with sync OFF because, when you
play a note successive times, it may sound slightly differ-
ent — just like an acoustic instrument.
Transient An abrupt increase in signal level. In music,
transients are produced by percussive or plucked instru-
ments, such as a drum head being struck or a guitar
string being plucked. A transient may also be an unde-
sirable signal, such as a "click" or "thud" caused by an
amplifier being switched on or off. In synthesis, the tran-
sient of a note often refers to its initial attack, as created
by the envelope generator.
Triangle wave This is similar to a sine wave, but with
some harmonic content. A triangle wave at a sub-audi-
ble frequency may be selected in the DX7 LFO section.
Voice This is a programmed sound for a synthesizer.
Another term might be "instrument." Some polyphonic
keyboards use the term "voice" to describe the number
of keys that may be played simultaneously but DX syn-
thesizers use the word "note" to express this concept.
Thus, the DX7 is a 16-note polyphonic synthesizer that
can store 32 voices in its internal memory.
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