Clicks from patches - return to zero on envelopes?

Software Instruments Modular V
#1

I have some patches that are based on existing factory patches that are causing clicks and have not found a way to get rid of the clicks (having to use a de-click tool to post-process). These are not DAW overload issues, but arise inside the instrument.

Issue: When using envelopes that have a fast attack and slow release which retrigger before the release has completed (in my case, envelopes controlling the VCF), retriggering them during the release causes clicks. I first tried increasing the attack from the original patch’s 0ms to 2ms, 5ms or even 20ms and this did help a bit, but the clicks still were happening.

Given this, I suspect that the envelopes are doing a full and immediate “return to zero” when retriggered, which itself can cause clicks.

I have not found a way to check the actual voltage output from the envelope to prove this but, having searched, it seems the Moog Modular synthesizers (and more generally, Moog analog synths) do not have the “Return to Zero” (RTZ) envelope behavior but, instead, they follow a traditional monophonic envelope behavior which starts the envelope from the point where the last note was played.

Has anyone else seen this issue? Is this something that can be fixed in Modular V3?

#2

Hi @TheAndyMac ,

It will help, if you posted a preset with the behavior.

There are presets with clicking behavior, but i can’t tell if we talk about the same without testing a preset.

If you can name a factory preset with the behavior that’s fine too.

Modular V is quite old. I personally would like a new version.

1 Like
#3

It’s a preset that I developed based on the “Good Night” preset.

I am having problems uploading the patch here - it comes up with an error “input/output error @ rb_sysopen”.

#4

Hi again @TheAndyMac ,

That’s strange.

I have had a look at the Good Night preset.

I think what you mean by click can be helped some by adjusting some parameters.

  1. In VCA 1 - Set the right Slope (level) Parameter fully clockwise. It’s fully counter clockwise in the Good Night preset. (The Slope parameters are the 2 smaller knobs under the ADRS knobs.)
  2. Adjust Envelope parameters like Decay and perhaps the VCA Attack as i don’t think Attach time is needed. Decay times may need to be longer. Perhaps Release times can be shorter. Sustain can perhaps also be adjusted.
  3. Perhaps adjust the LENGTH parameter in the Sequencer.

I wonder if you need the extra Envelopes to modulate the Filter Cutoff. That depend on your sound.

Unison mode perhaps also make louder clicks. Good Night preset is in Unisom mode.

Let’s hear if that helps.
A screenshot might also be helpful, if you need further assistance.

#5

I’ve tried the VCA envelope slope and the envelopes used on the VCF to adjust it a small amount (without losing too much of the sound) but it was not possible. I even reduced the gate time on the sequencer to a point where it was sounding similar and the clicks are still there - reducing it further gets rid of the clicks but changes the sound so completely that it does not work.

This is actually used in a track that is already released (just noticed it when testing a vinyl version), so I can’t change the sounds significantly. After lots of lots of testing with multiple approaches including changing the patch as above, the only option was to keep the patch as is and add RX De-Click on the specific track in Cubase. With some fine tuning around that, it has removed probably 90% of the clicks and (I’m pretty sure) all the ones that were causing problems on the vinyl release.

As I said, I was interested if anyone else had noticed this and also to flag up the fact that it may be that Modular V is using a Return to Zero approach on these envelopes when it shouldn’t be — if there is a way to actually check that out somehow, I’d be interested in the results.