Choral

Multiple moving versions of a sound

CHORAL creates its effect with up to three pairs of short, modulated delays. Their changing timing also changes pitch, giving a single source the impression of several performers. Modulation differs between voices, helping dense settings avoid an obvious repeated sweep.

Four useful starting characters

Synth favors a darker vintage-polyphonic character; Ensemble emphasizes animated string-machine-style layering; Dimension is brighter and more consistent; Universal offers a cleaner general-purpose chorus. Width can spread the voices without requiring the incoming stereo image to collapse first. Delay and Feedback determine depth and sustain, while Scatter changes the feedback routing into a more diffuse, reverb-like response. Choose the mode for the basic texture, adjust Voices and Amount for density and motion, and use Mix to fit the result around the original part.

Source: Manual, “CHORAL / Overview of CHORAL,” pp. 7–9.

Character and density

Mode selects Synth, Ensemble, Dimension or Universal. Compare these before compensating with other controls: they change both tone and modulation behavior. Voices fades from one to three chorus voices; adding voices thickens the ensemble rather than simply making the same modulation louder.

Motion and space

• Rate: Sets modulation speed. Slow rates give gradual pitch movement; faster rates approach vibrato.
• Amount: Sets how strongly the delay times move. Raise it to make the pitch modulation more apparent, or reduce it when the source needs stable tuning.
• Delay: Changes the basic delay times and perceived depth. It interacts strongly with Feedback, so revisit it after increasing regeneration.
• Width: Pans voices in opposite directions. At zero, CHORAL preserves the source's stereo image rather than imposing extra widening.

Sustain and feedback

Feedback returns the voices' outputs to their inputs, extending and emphasizing the processed sound. Scatter changes that routing to produce more reverb-like diffusion. Try Scatter when ordinary feedback becomes metallic but a longer, spacious tail is still wanted. Low modulation with restrained feedback is appropriate for unobtrusive thickening; additional voices, stronger feedback and Scatter make the effect more prominent.

Output and checking

Mix crossfades between dry and processed signals using an equal-power law. Invert reverses the effect signal's polarity, changing its interaction with the dry sound; compare the alternatives rather than treating it as a width switch. The Display shows voice count, delay spacing and modulation, helping explain why two settings with the same Mix can sound very different.

Source: Manual, “Overview of CHORAL,” pp. 7–9.