How Do You Trigger One Envelope from Another Envelope?

Creating Envelope Chains in Modular Synthesis

Some envelope generators provide an End Of Cycle output.

This output makes it possible to connect envelopes into chains.

The Principle

When the first envelope finishes its cycle, it triggers a second envelope.

The second envelope then performs its own cycle.

The result is a longer and more complex modulation structure.

Timing Considerations

The timing relationship between:

• Trigger source

• First envelope

• Second envelope

must be considered carefully.

If the initial trigger repeats too quickly, later envelopes may be interrupted before finishing.

Advantages

Envelope chains allow:

• Extended modulation shapes

• Multi-stage developments

• Sequential musical events

• More structured generative behaviour

Applications

Typical uses include:

• Long ambient developments

• Multi-stage filter movements

• Evolving effects processing

• Complex timbral changes

Conclusion

Envelope chaining transforms simple envelope generators into sequential modulation systems capable of producing much longer control structures.

Just click here to get more details about this topic, including graphs, presets, patches and videos.