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GAIA Exploring Sound (PDF) - Roland Corporation Australia

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Exercise<br />

Try selecting the Pulse wave again, and experiment with the two<br />

sliders labelled PWM and PW.<br />

Figure 2.10 Pulse Width Controls<br />

Summary<br />

The wave shapes provided by the Oscillator all have very<br />

different, and characteristic, sounds.<br />

Back to the Low Frequency range<br />

Earlier we discussed Low Frequency and Audibility. We found that<br />

below a certain Frequency we begin to hear a Sawtooth<br />

Waveform as a series of clicks. Why do we hear clicks?<br />

Look at the Sawtooth Wave again. If we sent this wave to a<br />

speaker can you imagine the surface of the speaker gradually<br />

being pushed forward, and then snapping back?<br />

Figure 2.11 Sawtooth Waveform<br />

You will notice from the wave viewer that these two controls<br />

change the width of the pulse, but in different ways.<br />

Most importantly, the PW control, which stands for Pulse Width,<br />

will make the pulse get more narrow, or thinner.<br />

Interestingly, the “pulse” part of the wave is always down, or<br />

negative. What would it sound like if it were positive? Well, it<br />

would sound the same. Our ears don’t care which direction.<br />

Does changing the pulse width suggest other acoustic<br />

instruments?<br />

Audio 2.4 Low Sawtooth<br />

26

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