That Radias Osc2 Tune knob...

Timo · Post by **Timo** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 9:12 pm

Something I've never really understood. Anyone know why the Tune (aka detune) knob has the same range as the Semitone knob (±2 octaves)?

Usually Tune is used for fine tuning up to ±100 cents maximum (which is already more than anyone would need), but if you use the Tune knob and go from value 0 to 14 it's already detuned by one semitone, so the rest of the values 15>63 are largely defunct. The same with the negative values. Jumping up those amounts is usually what the Semitone knob is for

It's a logarithmic curve as opposed to linear, I feel it may have been more appropriate to stick with convention and spread the Tune values linearly from, say, -100cents > 0 > +100cents maximum.

I understand that the Sync- and Ring-mod attached to Osc2 benefit from a greater pitch range... Which makes me wonder why they limited the Semitone knob to just ±24 semitones (which uses 49 knob values including zero). A knob usually has 128 possible MIDI values, so they could have doubled the number of semitone values (±48 semitones = 97 knob values including zero, well within the 128 limit), and kept Tune for fine detune purposes.

As such, there are few detune values to choose from within the Tune knob, seeing as you're less likely to detune greater than ±60 cents or so (unless you're making hoovers for Hardstyle). It limits the usefulness of the Tune knob for fine tuning.

ultravvox · Post by **ultravvox** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 2:56 pm

Furthermore, on R3 (and maybe on Radias?) OSC1 detune also works very strange. You can't get JUST detune, you can get only detune + some weird modulation. Yes, there is Phase setting, but it only changes character of this modulation, but not disable it.

Well, these issues aren't fatal, but they really make dialing of "fat" sounds kinda difficult.

Timo · Post by **Timo** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 4:40 pm

Hi Ultra,

ultravvox wrote:Furthermore, on R3 (and maybe on Radias?) ... You can't get JUST detune, you can get only detune + some weird modulation. Yes, there is Phase setting, but it only changes character of this modulation, but not disable it.

Well, these issues aren't fatal, but they really make dialing of "fat" sounds kinda difficult.

As it happens I've looked into that issue before too, it's a separate issue. I found that aspect relates to the triggering of oscillators (their initial phase values) causing phase issues if two oscillators are used.

More info here:

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... hp?t=36629

ultravvox · Post by **ultravvox** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 6:16 pm

Very interesting. But I never used Poly mode, and all my "fat" sounds, even without Osc Unison, in mid and high range are still swamped by something like flanger? even there is no flanger at all.

I want to dial something like that on R3:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/y6eohe

Very simple patch, open ADSR and 4x2 saws without any special "hypersaw" mode.

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 6:38 pm

I have often been displeased with the 'coarsness' of the detune on the Radias. Compared to my old microKorg which always seemed to be smoother and finer. I thought the ranges are the same. Cents make sense from a 'scientific' point of view. Just in that they are a nice unit of resolution.

I always get the impression that the Radias is very scientific and precise. Of course you can get the random 'analog' voice detuning effect from the 'pitch' page. To be honest the only time I use that is with unison mode, full spread, no detune, but 'analog tune' turned up to 10 or 15.

Anyway, I've never looked into it, but it does seem that Korg just made a bad choice in the ranges of some parameters - notably the 'tune' and cutoff parameters.

And RE the 'fat' sounds, detuning itself is very similar to flanging. But I'm still not sure I quite understand what you're on about.
I have some pretty 'fat' sounds on my Radias...