Learning About Envelopes and VCAs With Klayton (Celldweller)

It's time for another educational video from none other than Klayton (Celldweller)! For the latest installment in our series, the synth master turns his focus to talking about Envelopes and VCAs, and demonstrates their importance to the makeup of a synthesizer by using a Roland System-500. A Voltage Controlled Amplifier, or VCA, is typically one of the last modules standing before your signal hits the synthesizer's output. This is fundamental to a synth rig producing amplified sound, as the most common use of a VCA is controlling the volume of input signals and the gain level of the output. An Envelope is used to generate a control voltage signal. Using the standard controls typical to most Envelopes (Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release), users can make significant changes to sounds being created and mimic everything from kick drums to short pads. To discover what can be done with VCA and Envelopes and get a better understanding of how they work, watch the new demo from Klayton (Celldweller) below. For more information about other types of synthesizer modules, check out more videos and blogs in our Modular Synth category.