Zephod CSynth Synthesizer for Buzz

Introduction
Zephod CSynth is a polyphonic analog modeling 16-track synthesizer made to be used as a buzz generator. It uses a lot of CPU, but has great features like two LFOs and two envelopes, so you can modulate things like an oscillator´s phase distortion or the cutoff frequency (from -100% to +100%)
Zephod CSynth has 53 global parameters and 2 track parameters. Because of the huge amount of the parameters, you will need a high resolution screen (like 1280x1024) to see all the machine´s parameters (buzz doesn´t has a vertical scroll for machines yet :)
You can also load the GUI, righ clicking the machine in Machine View and selecting Edit
How does it work
Zephod CSynth is based on substractive synthesis. This kind of synthesis "substracts" harmonics to a tone. A VCF (Voltage Controlled Filter) is used to do this. Zephod CSynth can produce 4 types of waveforms
Sine | This kind of waveform only has one harmonic. Its frequency is the same as the note played and is used to play smooth tones, such as flutes, bass sounds, etc.
Sawtooth | This waveform is very rich in harmonics and the VCF can affect it drastically. This waveform is the most common for synthetic sounds.
Pulse | On this kind of waveform, the Phase Distotion (PD) can get more dynamic sounds or more character if its modulated.
Random | Generates White Noise. It´s used with VCF and Envelopes to get percussive sounds or the classic "wind effect" with a low-pass filter
The Zephod CSynth Diagram
Here you can see how teh sound is distributed in the Zephod CSynth
|  | LFO1+LFO2+ENV1+ENV2 ---> OSC1 PW/PITCH |  |  |  |
|  | LFO1+LFO2+ENV1+ENV2 ---> OSC1 AMPL |  |  |  |
OSC1 |  | | |  |  |  |
|  |  |  | VCF |  | OUTPUT
OSC2 |  | | |  |  | LFO1+LFO2+ENV1+ENV2 ---> CUTOFF |
|  | LFO1+LFO2+ENV1+ENV2 ---> OSC2 PW/PITCH |  |  | LFO1+LFO2+ENV1+ENV2 ---> RESONANCE |
|  | LFO1+LFO2+ENV1+ENV2 ---> OSC2 AMPL |  |  |  |
Oscillators
There are 3 oscillators in Zephod CSynth
Main (OSC1) | Base oscillator
Secondary (OSC2) | It has the same tone as the first oscillator, but you can detune it thru the parameters (OSC2 tune and OSC2 finetune) to get a richer sound
SubOscillator | This oscillator is one octave detuned with the OSC1. Its used to get fatness to the sound
VCF (Voltage Controlled Filter)
The Voltage Controlled Filter is the part wich gives the analog feel to the sound. It subtracs harmonics to the output produced in the oscillators. There are three types of VCF
Low Pass | substract harmonics behind the cutoff frequency
Hi Pass | substract harmonics below the cutoff frequency
Off | Deactivates the VCF
Q Control (Resonance)
Q is the cutoff filter´s banwidth attenuation. This gives a fatter sound. Setting Q to the maximum value gives autooscillation.
Envelopes
Zephod CSynth has two ADSR (attack, decay, sustain and release) envelopes, wich can be assigned to almost every parameter.
Normally it is used with Volume or VCF
LFOs
The Low Frequency Oscillators are used to modulate parameters as the cuttoff frequency, oscillator´s tone (vibrato), pulse width, etc
All the LFO values (OSC's PW, PITCH, AMPL, VCF Q, VCF CUTOFF, etc) goes from -100% to 100% (where -100% = negative polarity)
Importing .nti presets
Zephod CSynth can import .nti files (Noisetrekker´ Csynth presets)
To import them, right click the machine in Machine View and selecting Import *.nti
The import *.nti is available on the GUI too
Contact |
Zephod | stijn@hot.a2000.nl | http://www.buzztrack.com | Code and GUI
DJLaser | djlaser@buzztrack | http://zap.to/djlaser | Help File
New Atom Mine | newatommine@telebot.net | http://www.zylex.net.nz/atom | Preset file (.nti to .prs convertion)