GLOSSARY

Envelope

The envelope is a special kind of shape that controls the value of a property (usually volume) over time. This gives a synthesizer more natural sounding, but it can also be used for creating special effects. The common type of envelope is called ADSR. ADSR stands for Attack-Decay-Sustain-Release. All envelopes now are less or more based on the ADSR envelope model. However, as you will see in FL Studio too, some envelopes are enhanced with additional elements, to suit some particular requirements for the specific generator.

ADSR Envelope elements:

• Attack - Attack determines the time it takes for the note to get to the maximum level.
• Decay - Decay determines the time it takes for the note to go from the maximum level to the sustain level (controlled by Sustain).
• Sustain - Sustain determines the level the sound is played at while the note is being held (after the other envelope states (Attack and Decay) have been cycled through).
• Release - Release determines the time it takes for the note to go from the sustain level to zero level when it is released.