EDUCATION
ADSR envelope, live
Every synth sound has a shape in time, not just a pitch and a timbre. Attack, decay, sustain and release decide whether a sound feels struck or held, sharp or soft. This tool lets you hear each stage change in isolation.
Try it
- Select the Pluck preset and play it a few times.
- Raise attack slowly until the sound stops having a defined start.
- Raise release until the tail overlaps the next note.
- Compare against the Pad preset. You should be close.
What to listen for
The moment the sound stops feeling struck and starts feeling held. That transition is attack time, not timbre, and it happens around 200 to 400 ms.
This tool is one part of the picture. Electronic Music Production for Beginners covers the rest.