Using the Ultrabeat Ring Modulator

Ring modulation is a powerful tool for the creation of inharmonic, metallic, bell-like sounds. Ultrabeat’s ring modulator functions as an independent sound source—its signal can bypass or be sent into the filter, independent of the Oscillator 1 and 2 signals. Its volume can also be regulated.

Important: Although the ring modulator signal is independent of the signals generated by Oscillators 1 and 2, both oscillators need to be enabled if you want to use the ring modulator signal. As the ring modulator is reliant on the signals of both oscillators to produce an output signal, it is automatically muted when one of the oscillators is switched off.

The actual sound produced by the ring modulator is largely dependent on the parameter settings of both oscillators. In particular, the tuning relationships of each oscillator have a direct effect on the sound of the ring modulator signal. The individual levels of the oscillators, however, have no effect on the process (or output) of ring modulation.

• Ring Modulator On/Off button: Enables or disables the ring modulator. When switched on, the label is highlighted.

  Note: If you want to hear the ring modulator’s signal in isolation (in order to better judge your settings), temporarily set the volume of both oscillators to a value of 0.

• Level slider: Adjusts the output volume of the ring modulator.
• “mod” and “via” menus: Found above and below the Level slider, these determine the modulation source (and via source) for the Level parameter. When either source is active, small sliders (handles) appear on either side of the Level slider. See Working with Modulation in Ultrabeat.
• Signal Flow button: Determines the routing of the ring modulator signal. It is sent either to the filter (the signal flow button turns red), or directly to the EQ section (the signal flow button remains gray). The direction of the arrow on the signal flow button illustrates the routing.

  Note: The Signal Flow button determines how the ring modulator output signal is routed. It doesn’t turn the ring modulator on or off.