surface

surface models percussive resonances by feeding an impulse signal into a feedback delay network (fdn) which describes a flat surface.

the gui is grouped into 4 panels:




surface position (lower panel)

midi notes C2 thru G2 trigger eight playing positions. the ninth pad approximates the sound of dragging on the skin, the drag knob sets the amplitude of the signal.

expand moves the x-y pad closer to the center of the model, for finer tonal selection.

vary adds random values to the striking position, for organic performance effects.




surface characteristics (middle panel)

the fundamental pitch is set with the size slider or using the tune option. some settings, eg. low damping levels, can alter the pitch.

the damp trimmer adjusts lpfs within the fdn, simulating energy absorbtion from material responsivity, such as manual contact, for which the 'mod wheel' control may be adjusted to suit the playing style.

mass exponentially reduces the resonance of the model towards the center of the skin, having the effect of damping the longer decay of bass/center strikes.

tension increases inharmonic resonances within the surface model that tend to have the effect of shortening the decay and adding extra harmonics.

a velocity controlled pitch envelope models surface flex at low settings and creates synthetic percussion effects.




striker characteristics (top panel)

the striker impulse is modeled with an ahr (attack hold release) envelope to describe the increase and decrease of pressure upon the membrane, the various parameters controlling the contour and duration of the envelope, with force controlling its amplitude.

rough adds noise to the envelope impulse, which can create a brighter, more varying timbre.

the impulse passes through a resonant low pass filter (tone and emph controls) before entering the fdn.

velocity trimmers are provided where dynamic response may assist in emulating acoustic performance. to increase velocity of median notes, place the center low, and high to decrease.




control (top right panel)

the modulation wheel is routed to provide increased damping during performance, such as palm muting the playing surface.

soft uses a softer velocity input curve.




midi controllers

32 - hard -striker section
33 - mass
34 - flex
35 - rough
36 - force
37 - tone
38 - emph
39 - oct -surface section

40 - semi
41 - fine
42 - tune
43 - size
44 - damp
45 - mass
46 - tens
47 - eg

48 - decay
49 - amp -control section
50 - expand -pad section
51 - vary
52 - drag
53 - drag pad x
54 - drag pad y
55 - pad 1 x

56 - pad 1 y
57 - pad 2 x
58 - pad 2 y
59 - pad 3 x
60 - pad 3 y
61 - pad 4 x
62 - pad 4 y
63 - pad 5 x

64 - pad 5 y
65 - pad 6 x
66 - pad 6 y
67 - pad 7 x
68 - pad 7 y
69 - pad 8 x
70 - pad 8 y




synthedit

surface was created with jeff mcclintock's www.synthedit.com and uses fdn module technology created by chris kerry http://www.chriskerry.f9.co.uk

vst plugin technology by steinberg







thank you!