Overview

The ParamMod module allows you to modulate almost any parameter of any module in Numerology. As discussed in the Parameter Modulation chapter, there are several different ways to setup this function in Numerology. This module is the most manual way to set up parameter modulation, but is also the most flexible, and it really isn't that hard to use anyway.

To setup parameter modulation follow these basic steps:

• Get A Source: Choose or create a CV source to use as your modulator. This could be the output of a CV or Gate sequencer, the Dual LFO or the Fader Box module. Typically, the target param you wish to modulate will help you determine the best way to modulate it. For instance, if you want to modulate the start step of a sequencer, then a sequencer with a range of 1 to 16 will usually be the most useful modulation source. If you want smooth modulation of a filter or other synthesis parameter of an Audio Unit synth, then an LFO is the obvious modulation source.
  
  
• Add a ParamMod: Add a ParamMod module to a group, typically the same group as the module whose parameter you wish to modulate.
  
  
• Pick the Target: In the ParamMod module, pick the target module and parameter you want to modulate. You may also need to set a value for the Parameter Index. Many Numerology modules use indexed parameters when a group of parameters represents an array of values, such as the step values of a sequencer. Indexed parameters are also often used for Numerology modules that have multiple voices, such as the MIDI CC Out module. For instance, the scale parameter of the first voice of a CC Out module has index 1, the scale parameter of the second voice has index 2.
  
  
• Patch In the Source: On the Routing panel of the stack, connect your CV source to the appropriate CV input on the ParamMod.
  
  
• Tweak the Range: When you set a target parameter for modulation, the Min and Max values are set to correspond with the minimum and maximum values of the parameter you chose. You can further restrict the modulation range by adjusting these values.

These four steps cover most cases for setting up parameter modulation, but for some cases, you may need to perform an extra step:

For instance, suppose you do want to modulate the start step of a Matrix Sequencer using a Modulation Sequencer. You can certainly do this with AutoScaling on: Just set the range of the control sequencer to +1, -1, follow the steps above, and you're done. The problem with this, though, is that it is not obvious for any step of the control sequencer, how it will affect the start step parameter of the Matrix sequencer. This is because the range of the Modulation Sequencer (-1.0 to 1.0) is being scaled to a different range (1 to 32) to control the start step.

The solution to this problem is to turn off autoscaling in the ParamMod module, and set the range of the Modulation Sequencer to [1, 16]. Now you can tell exactly what is going to happen: when the Modulation Sequencer outputs a value of "2", the start step of the Matrix Sequencer will be set to "2".

When AutoScaling is off, the Min and Max values are used to limit (or clip) the input CV signal before ParamMod events are generated. With this behavior, you have more direct access to the target parameter: the value coming in can be the exact value that comes out.

Another option is to use a SignalProc module to do the scaling. This is a bit more time consuming to setup, but gives you the important option of being able to use a log scale to convert an incoming signal to a frequency range. It also provides a bit more control over how a value is scaled and limited to a target range.

Techniques

The first few times you setup parameter modulation go slowly and follow the setup steps carefully. You will quickly get the hang of it, and will develop a set of modulation options you use regularly, and can setup in just a few seconds. Here are some likely possibilities:

• Use a DualLFO and a ParamMod to modulate arbitrary parameters of an AU Synth, such as the tuning of the Apple DLS synth.
  
  
• Use a ModulationSeq w/ a range of 1 to 16 and a ParamMod to modulate the start step or length of another sequencer, such as a Pitch sequencer.
  
  
• Use a GateSeq and a ParamMod to trigger the Reset parameter of an LFO.

Parameters

Mutes the action of the ParamMod.

Chooses the target module whose parameter you wish to modulate. Each time you pick a module, the Parameter menu will change as appropriate.

Chooses the target parameter for modulation.

Chooses the index of the target parameter for modulation. See the discussion above on how to use this. This parameter will not be visible for non-indexed parameters.

This display shows the minimum and maximum values for the target parameter. When AutoScaling is on, you can modify these values to limit the range of modulation. When AutoScaling is off, the incoming CV signal is limited to this range.

Turns AutoScaling on and off. See the Overview for details on how this works. This value is on by default for new ParamMod modules.

This port menu is where you patch in a control source.

This animated display shows the current output value of the parameter modulation value.

Use this param to adjust the maximum rate at which a parameter change can be sent. The rates are: H: High, 1 ms rate; M: medium, 10 ms rate; L: Low, 100 ms rate. The High rate is only necessary for near-audio rate modulation, the low rate saves a wee bit of CPU time when using slow modulation.

For modulating AU parameters, the effective maximum update rate is limited by the buffer size used by the audio output. For example, at a typical value of 512 samples, the effective max control rate is around 15ms, so the High rate of 1ms is only useful if you are using a very small buffer size (64 samples).

Ports

These are the two CV inputs for each of the ParamMod "voices".