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Q109 Envelope Generator

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Q109 Envelope Generator Module

The Q109 Envelope Generator is one of the basic modules every synthesizer must have. It generates a voltage envelope in response triggered by a gate signal from a keyboard, oscillator or other source. The envelope voltage is used to control amplifiers, filters, oscillators and other modules.

The operator has complete manual control over Attack time, Decay time, Sustain level, and Release time. A manual gate button can be used to trigger the Envelope Generator at any time, and an LED gives a visual indication of the output level.

$92.00 USD

Input vs Output

Envelope Generator Graphic
  • Attack Time Range: 1ms - 7+ sec. (jumperable to 30+ sec)
  • Decay Time Range: 1ms - 12+ sec. (jumperable to 30+ sec)
  • Release Time Range: 1ms - 12+ sec. (jumperable to 30+ sec)
  • Sustain Level Range: 0-5 volts (jumperable to -5/+5 volts)
  • Output Level: 0-5 volts (jumperable to -5/+5 volts)
  • Power: +15V@30ma, -15V@30ma, +5@5ma.

The envelope generator is usually triggered from the keyboard gate signal and creates a voltage that changes over time (envelope). Envelope signals are used to change sound parameters over time - usually filters, amplifiers, and oscillators but really any voltage controllable parameter can be controlled. Study the waveform pictures to understand what each control does to influence the envelope's shape. When a gate signal goes high (key is pressed), the Attack phase begins. The time it takes for this attack phase to complete is determined by the Attack control. The voltage will rise slowly until it reaches +5 volts. At that time the Decay phase begins and its time it determined by the Decay control. The voltage will decay to the voltage set by the Sustain level control and will stay there as long as the gate signal is high (key pressed). When the gate signal goes low the release phase begins and its time is set by the Release control. If you turn the sustain level full clockwise, there will be no decay phase.

Since you often need a separate envelope generator for filters and amplifiers, use a Q124 Multiple to route a single gate signal from the keyboard to several envelope generators.

Inverted, Amplified, Attenuated Envelopes
Some module's inputs have inverters and attenuators that allow you to modify the envelope's influence on the parameter, but some do not due to space constraints. Use a Q125 Signal Processor to invert, amplify, attenuate, or offset an envelope signal.

Voltage Levels
The output of the envelope generator is 0 to 5 volts. The Q108 Amplifier responds well to this voltage range (0 volts = off, +5 volts = full on) so you can patch the envelope directly into the control input of the amplifier. If you need the envelope to span a larger range such as -5 to +5 volts, simply use a Q125 Signal Processor to amplify the signal by 200% then offset it by -5 volts. This expanded envelope voltage range can be useful when you want to sweep the Q107 Filter its entire range.

Gates and Triggers
A gate signal stays on as long as a key is pressed, but a trigger signal is a very short pulse that only occurs at the beginning of a keypress. The envelope generator can be started by a gate or a trigger with different results. When using a gate signal to start the envelope generator, all controls act upon the waveform as you would expect, but when using a trigger signal to start it you'll lose the attack and decay control (Set them to 0). The Sustain and Release controls will work as expected. The result will be the same regardless of how long you hold down a key.

Starting Envelopes from other Sources
Envelopes are usually started from keyboard gate signals, but you can use an oscillator or a sequencer to start them too. When using an oscillator to continuously start an envelope generator, you essentially are creating an oscillator with a customized waveform. Any of the gate signal outputs or the Done output on the Q119 Sequential Controller can be used to start an envelope generator too. You can start an envelope at a certain stage of a sequence by using a bank's (in 3x8 mode) output signal. Set all of the controls for the sequencer bank to 0 except the stage that you wish to fire which should be set to +5.

Delaying Envelope Triggering
You can delay the triggering of the Q109 using the Q105 slew limiter. Simply run your gate signal through the Q105. Setting the direction to Up will let the Amount control adjust the delay of the beginning of the output gate. Setting the direction to Down will let the Amount control adjust the extension of the output gate. Setting the direction to Both will let the Amount control adjust both the beginning delay and the extension resulting in a shifting of the entire gate signal.

Combining Delayed Envelopes to Create Complex Patterns
Using 2 Q109's, trigger one from an unmodified gate signal (possibly from a keyboard or sequencer), and also patch the gate into a Q105 to create a delay for the second Q109. Combine the outputs of the 2 Q109's using a Q112 or Q113 mixer. The output will be a complex envelope.

Punchy Envelopes
Some synths (Mini-Moog) have 'punchy' envelopes that create a unique sound that's especially useful for percussive patches. This comes from a slight, perhaps unintentional, built-in delay between the Attack phase and the Decay phase of the envelope. The result is a high-level peak that flattens out and lasts longer than an envelope with the typical pointy Attack peak you've seen in the movies. You can create this punchy envelope by running the Q109 Envelope Generator through the Q130 Clipper, and this page shows you how.

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