Ultrabeat Synthesizer section overview in MainStage

The Ultrabeat sound engine is optimized for creating electronic and acoustic drum and percussion sounds. It combines several synthesis approaches—phase distortion, sample playback, FM (frequency modulation), and physical modeling—to create tones. You can also use an audio side chain input as a sound source. The sound engine provides comprehensive modulation functions, enabling nearly every Ultrabeat element to be modulated.

The Synthesizer section is the heart of Ultrabeat. Each drum sound in a drum kit is an independent synthesizer and has its own set of synthesizer parameters—its own synthesizer section.

The interface and signal flow of the Ultrabeat synthesis engine is based on classic synthesizer designs. If you’re new to synthesizers, it might be best to start with Synthesizer basics overview, which will introduce you to the fundamentals and terminology of different synthesis systems.

The Synthesizer section runs from left to right, following the layout and signal flow of a subtractive synthesizer. The basic tonal material is created by the oscillators, noise generator, and ring modulator. A filter then takes away certain frequencies from the raw sound, followed by volume shaping–envelope.

Note: Although the structure and layout mirrors classic subtractive synthesizer designs, Ultrabeat incorporates a number of different tone generation (synthesis) methods, including frequency modulation, component modeling, sample playback, and phase distortion. These provide unique qualities that greatly expand the range of sounds you can create.

Figure. Synthesizer section showing main interface elements.

The details of Ultrabeat functions and their importance become more apparent when you look at the three-dimensional nature of the interface and recognize the different levels from front to back. The following descriptions refer to the third dimension, so keep this in mind while reading about and exploring the Ultrabeat interface.

The large, round, elevated Filter (and Distortion) section is in the center. Its placement and design are both symbolic and practical, as the filter plays a central role in Ultrabeat. The Filter is discussed in Ultrabeat filter section.

The Filter receives its signal from the following sound sources: oscillator 1, oscillator 2, the noise generator, and the ring modulator. The outputs of these sources are represented by the three round objects, and the rectangular ring modulator section to the right, that surround the Filter.

One level down—from front to back—each sound source output object provides modulation controls. These determine how modulation sources, such as the LFO and envelopes, affect each sound source. See Ultrabeat modulation overview.

Each sound source also features a small Signal Flow button (red, when active). This is used to determine (and indicate) whether the signal of the associated sound source should proceed through the Filter or bypass it—before being routed to the Output section.

The Output section is shown to the right. Signals sent from the Filter can pass through two equalizers and a stage for stereo expansion or panoramic modulation. You can also set the initial output level and trigger behavior in this section. See Ultrabeat output section overview.

The output of the drum sound is then sent to the Assignment section mixer. See Ultrabeat Assignment section overview.

Download the guides:

MainStage User Guide: Apple Books | PDF

MainStage Instruments: Apple Books | PDF

MainStage Effects: Apple Books | PDF

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