Oberheim Matrix 12 Function Questions

[Infa]

Hi, I can't figure out for the life of me how to adjust, set, or even initiate/turn on the "Glide"/"Portamento"/"Legato" feature most all keyboards have on my Matrix 12. Does it even do it ? I sure would hope/expect so.

I may be referring to it wrong, but it is that setting where instead of each note just instantly jumping to the next note you press, it smoothly transition "glides" to the next note in conjunction to how fast you set it to "glide" to it. You can usually also choose if it will do that and "cut off" the previously played note, lower, or higher, or not at all,,,,, etc...

On my OBX-A its the knob control named "Portamento", on some other synths its the "Legato" setting and I've seen it called "Glide" many times too. On this Matrix 12, I can find anywhere in the menus for either "Glide" or "Portamento" or "Legato". Nothing. And every note just reacts like a piano pretty much.

So how do you do it on the Matrix 12 ?

Thanks in advance for your help --

[pulse_divider]

I think they call it "lag" on the Matrix 12 and I think it's in the VCO settings.

[Infa]

Originally Posted by pulse_divider

I think they call it "lag" on the Matrix 12 and I think it's in the VCO settings.

Ahh, ok.. I will look into that and try it. That does make some sense.."Lag" to the next note.

I have seen the "Lag" parameters before, and messed with them, but didn't notice anything happening. Maybe have to assign it properly, or something else.

Anyway, thanks for this info, I will report back my findings.

[pulse_divider]

Or you may have to assign it in the modulation section, I dunno... it's been a long time since I've had one and I can't seem to remember. But you can assign damn near anything to anything else in that machine. The manual should be available online.

[Dave Peck]

First, in the VCO page 2 settings, turn on LAG (LAG and KYBD can't be used at the same time). This will control the VCOs pitch with the output of the LAG module instead of controlling it with the kybd directly. Now in the FM/LAG section, patch the KYBD signal through the LAG and set the lag time. Viola!

[Infa]

Originally Posted by Dave Peck

First, in the VCO page 2 settings, turn on LAG (LAG and KYBD can't be used at the same time). This will control the VCOs pitch with the output of the LAG module instead of controlling it with the kybd directly. Now in the FM/LAG section, patch the KYBD signal through the LAG and set the lag time. Viola!

Wow ! Excellent info Dave. Thanks ! This was it. Too bad I didn't check this post back till I had already spent 3 hours trying to figure it out to no avail... !! LOL - Then I gave up, seen there was a new post here, checked it out, and bam, seen your great coaching. Went back to the board and did it in about 3 minutes !

So thanks !!

On a side note, unless I am doing it wrong, the "lag" on this is not quite the same as I expected. I can't get that super smooth Moog glide that isn't over the top ridiculous, but perfect for funk bass. As it just barely does it, but does it perfect. I don't know how to explain it, but this Matrix aint doing it. I probably just don't know how to dial it in ?

Either way, thanks bro !!

[Dave Peck]

The issue you are having may be due to the fact that it's a six voice polysynth instead of a monosynth, and portamento (lag) will behave very differently on a polysynth. Picture this - on a monosynth, each new note will slide from the previous note. And that's what you want for a mono bass line.

But portamento on a polysynth won't behave like that. Depending on the synth, each new note could be played by whichever voice card has been silent the longest (voices get assigned to new notes in a 'round robin fashion) or some other voice selection logic, but it won't be played by the same voice that played the previous note. And this means the 'slide' effect at the beginning of a new note won't be starting from the pitch of the previous note - it will be starting from whatever pitch the new voice was playing the last time THAT voice card played a note. So it ends up sounding like the pitch is sliding from some random point to the new note.

So for mono synth sounds that use portamento, it's best to put the synth in monophonic mode (shut off all voices except one) so the portamento behaves properly for monosynth duties.

[Infa]

Originally Posted by Dave Peck

The issue you are having may be due to the fact that it's a six voice polysynth instead of a monosynth, and portamento (lag) will behave very differently on a polysynth. Picture this - on a monosynth, each new note will slide from the previous note. And that's what you want for a mono bass line.

But portamento on a polysynth won't behave like that. Depending on the synth, each new note could be played by whichever voice card has been silent the longest (voices get assigned to new notes in a 'round robin fashion) or some other voice selection logic, but it won't be played by the same voice that played the previous note. And this means the 'slide' effect at the beginning of a new note won't be starting from the pitch of the previous note - it will be starting from whatever pitch the new voice was playing the last time THAT voice card played a note. So it ends up sounding like the pitch is sliding from some random point to the new note.

So for mono synth sounds that use portamento, it's best to put the synth in monophonic mode (shut off all voices except one) so the portamento behaves properly for monosynth duties.

Your a genius, as that is exactly how it sounds what is happening. I didn't even know I could shut off voices. Oh, and don't the Matrix 12 have 12 voices ? I believe the Expander had 6.

Either way, this is excellent info, - and thanks !

[Dave Peck]

Originally Posted by Infa

Your a genius, as that is exactly how it sounds what is happening. I didn't even know I could shut off voices. Oh, and don't the Matrix 12 have 12 voices ? I believe the Expander had 6.

Either way, this is excellent info, - and thanks !

Ah yes, of course the M12 has 12 voices & the Xpander has 6, so you'll have to shut off 11 of the M12 voices to get proper monosynth behavior.

[dougt]

Originally Posted by Dave Peck

Ah yes, of course the M12 has 12 voices & the Xpander has 6, so you'll have to shut off 11 of the M12 voices to get proper monosynth behavior.

You can also put it in unison for 24-osc ground shaking obesity.

[Dave Peck]

Originally Posted by dougt

You can also put it in unison for 24-osc ground shaking obesity.

yes, even better! now THAT's a friggen bass patch, and it will also give you the proper portamento behavior you want.