For Musicians The Beatnik MIDI Synthesizer |

All Beatnik playback software uses the same sound generator: a high-quality, multitimbral wavetable synthesizer implemented completely in software. It includes a built-in General MIDI soundset Bank, plus a `Beatnik Special' Bank of more interesting alternatives. You can also create your own Custom Instruments using either the built-in Samples or your own Samples. The synth can respond independently to all 16 MIDI channels, with a separate Instrument for each channel, and up to 64-voice polyphony.
You can think of the Beatnik Editor as patch editor/librarian for this synthesizer - you'll use the Beatnik Editor to create your own Custom Instruments and variations on the built-in ones. You'll collect Beatnik Instruments and Samples in your Beatnik Editor Session documents, and work on them using the Beatnik Editor.
The rest of this section explains all the details of working with the Beatnik MIDI Synthesizer, broken down by topic:
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Synthesizer Voice Architecture
The Keymap, Envelopes, Filter, and other elements that make up the synth voice
Playing the Beatnik MIDI Synthesizer
High-level view of how the synthesizer responds to MIDI - from RMF files or from live MIDI input in the Beatnik Editor
Instrument Bank Organization
Including a quick survey of the built-in Instruments
Controlling the Mix
How to control level, pan, and effects
MIDI Implementation
Low-level details of how the synthesizer responds to specific MIDI messages
Building Your Own Patches
High-level view of how Instruments and Samples are organized, and how to work with them in the Beatnik Editor
Editing Instruments
Specific techniques for improving your patches

For Musicians / The Beatnik MIDI Synthesizer top |