BASSLINE MODELS ... !

The most important new feature of firmware upgrade OS013: bassline synthesizer models! You could say the Modor DR-2 is no longer purely a drum machine, it's also very suited to create basslines now!

With the introduction of Parameter Locks in OS007 it became possible to program little melodies in the DR-2, by using these parameter locks on the pitch parameter, especially on the bass drum models. Therefore, the DR-2 has been extended with 4 new synthesis models now, especially aimed at the creation of basslines:

• SAW SYNTH: This offer a sawtooth/square wave oscillator with a resonant lowpass filter on it (controlled by the X and Y parameters), the pitch envelope also works on the cutoff frequency (Z for amount). There is also a sustain time for the amp envelope, before it starts to decay (T).
• SQU SYNTH: This model is identical to the previous one, but with a square wave oscillator.
• SIN SYNTH: This model has a sine wave oscillator with a sine Sub oscillator (one octave lower, controlled with X), a sine 'super' oscillator (one octave higher, controlled with Y), a soft overdrive (controlled with Z), and again an Amp Sustain Time (T).
• FM SYNTH: This model finally, has a 2-operator carrier-modulator FM structure, with a modulator frequency ratio (X), FM amount (Y) and FM envelope amount (Z), and the Amp Sustain Time (T).

Notes and bassline melodies can be sequenced using parameter locks, the bassline synth models are tonal and can be tuned from F#-1 to F4. To program a certain note on a certain step, simply hold down that step button, and turn the PITCH knob to select the right note. This way parameter locks are entered in the sequencer.

The pitch parameter locks on these models are furthermore registered relative to the root note, such that you can transpose the bassline melody. When you turn the PITCH knob the root note of the bassline model changes, the parameter locked pitches in the sequence keep the same distance relative to the new root note.

The bassline models also have a Portamento parameter, that allows to glide from one note to another. Portamento is controlled by SHIFT+CURVE and can of course also be parameter locked and/or modulated.

And finally, the bassline models have a Sustain Time at the T parameter, it is possible to hold the amp level at maximum for a certain time in the beginning of a note. That resembles a bit the effect of a compressor, and helps creating some more dynamic freedom than just with the amp decay alone.

Very nice, but what does it sound like? A few examples:

SAW SYNTH

SQU SYNTH

SIN SYNTH

FM SYNTH

ENABLE AND DISABLE INSTRUMENT TRACKS ...

You may have felt the need already, while working with the DR-2, to control sequencer tracks switching on/off in your DAW or external sequencer when building tracks. Well, that's exactly what we included now. You can use Midi Control Change CC#95 for it, or use the midi notes in the octave C-0 to B-0.

USING MIDI NOTES

The first method of enable/disabling sequencer tracks uses midi notes. If you enable the new setting, MidiNtEn/Dis: ON in the System Settings menu, you can use the notes in octave C0-B0 for it. C0 turns instrument A's track off, C#0 turns it on. D0 turns instrument B's track off, D#1 turns it on. And so on...

USING CONTROL CHANGE CC#95

A second, but a bit more complex method to switch sequencer tracks on and off uses control change CC#95. If you enable the new system setting MidiCCEn/Dis : ON in the System Settings menu, you can use this control change for it. But you need to know binary counting. Every bit in the value of this controller switches a track on/off.

As an example, binary 110001, which is a decimal value 49 switches on instruments F, E and A and switches D, C and B off, according to the ones and zero. This way, every value from 0 (all off) to 63 (all on) corresponds to a specific combination of instruments.

CC#95 = Decimal 49, or binary 110001: