3. Parameter Reference

3.1. Main Section

main section

  1. MIDI
  2. Voices
  3. UNISON
  4. LEGATO
  5. Portamento
  6. Tune
  7. Volume

The main section sets parameters for the global setting of the sound program.

3.1.1. MIDI

Specifies a MIDI input channel.

The channel number is set to OMNI mode (displayed as "00") as default and accepts massages with the all MIDI channels. You can also specify a MIDI channel from 1 to 16 to receive only the specific channel.

As Exciton is a VST plugin application, usually MIDI messages that Exciton receives are never used by other plugins or external MIDI devices (like MIDI thru). It depends on host applications, but no major VST host application support MIDI thru for plugins as default. You can always use Exciton with OMNI mode (recommended).

Exciton is not a multi-timbre instrument. But most VST host applications can run multilple instruments simultaneously. You can run multiple Exciton's on your host application. The maximum number of instruments depends on the host applications. Please refer the manual of your host application for detail.

3.1.2. Voices

Sets the number of voices.

You can set the number of voices from 1 to 64. For polyphonic mode, it specifies the maximum voices. For unison mode, it specifies the number of voices triggered with key-press.

CPU load is almost proportional to the number of voices in use. CPU consumption of sleeping voices is almost negligible.

But it is recommended to refrain from setting too many voices than needed for safety. If you use a new computer (PowerMac G4(or above) or Windows with Pentium 4(or above)), you do not have to care so much. But if you use an old computer, you ought to care with CPU load. Around 8 voices is enough for most cases (unless you use a sustain pedal). It is a good manner to keep the number of voices just enough.

3.1.3. UNISON

Switches the unison mode on/off.

On unison mode, all the voices are triggered with one key. It is suitable for making fat sounds for solo/lead.

The key logic is different between the polyphonic mode and the unison mode.

If the total number of pressed keys exceeds the number of voices, the new key replaces the oldest key. For the polyphonic mode (left figure), once the oldest key is replaced by the new key, the key is is not retriggered even if other keys are released and the total number of pressed keys gets below the number of voices.

On the other hand for the unison mode (right figure), a replaced key is "sleeping". If other keys are released and the sleeping key is still pressed, the key is retriggered.

poly key logic description unison key logic description

Detune is a common technique for making sounds. For the unison mode, it is important for making fat sounds. To detune oscillators among voices, use the following methods.

3.1.4. LEGATO

Switches the legato mode. This function is enabled when Portamento is on.

When the legato is on, the sound always glides from the most prior key before note-on.

When the legato is off, the sounds glides only if another key is pressed.

3.1.5. Portamento

Switches the portamento on/of and sets the portamento time.

Setting the knob to the minimum, the portamento is set to off. Turning the knob from the minimum, the portamento is enabled and the sound glides from the most prior key before note-on. Increasing the portamento time, the glide gets slowly.

3.1.6. Tune

Sets the master tuning.

You can set the master tune from -100 cent (-1 semitone) to +100 cent (+1 semitone) with A4=440Hz at the center (0cent).

3.1.7. Volume

Sets an audio output level.