What Will I Learn?

You will about the uses of ADSR.
You will learn how to use Attack.
You will learn how to use Decay.
You will learn how to use Sustain.
You will learn how to use Release.

Requirements

To complete this tutorial learners will need to have the following:

The software application VCV Rack installed
Access to the Internet
An account created on www.vcvrack.com
Fundamental and Autodafe plugins installed

Difficulty

This tutorial is at an Beginner level.

Description

Learn about ADSR in Modular Synthesis

When synthezing sound we use four variables: Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release. The Fundamental module ADSR lets us manipulate these variables easily. To help with the explaniation I will be using some graphs from the Open Source software sythesizer Helm. Helm has great graphs to visualize the ADSR setting.

How to use Attack.

Attack in ADSR is the amount of time it takes from when you first press a key until you hear the full volume of a note's sound. Here is an example of a sound with a very short (instant) attack.

Next is an image of a sound with a slow Attack.

How to use Decay.

Decay and Sustain are closely connected. Think of Decay as time and Sustain as volume level. Decay is the amount of TIME it takes for a sound to go from its maximum volume to its minimum volum while still holding a key down.

How to use Sustain.

Sustain is the difference in volume from the beginning of sound to the minimum level of sound while still pressing a key down. It is useful to consider Sustain and Decay at the same time as they are closely connected.

How to use Release.

Release is the amount of time it takes for the sound to go to silence after a note has been released. The image here has a very long slow Release.

Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release are all connected and work as one to create unique sounds.

VCV Rack is an open source application, which means that it is free for everyone to use. Please consider going to the developers' website and show your support for the project - http://www.vcvrack.com

I hope you enjoy this tutorial. If you have any specific questions for me feel free to leave it in the comments of this post and I will do my best to get back to you with an answer.

Cheers,
@buckydurddle

Video Tutorial

Curriculum

Learn VCV Rack Modular Synthesis Series

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VCV Rack - Modular Synthesis, Plugin Manager, Customize UI

VCV Rack - VC Mixer, Patching, & VCO-1 to VC Mixer

VCV Rack - 1st Setup, Multi-Outputs and Audio Interface

VCV Rack - Scope, MIDI, Organizational Tools

VCV Rack - Delay Module - Time, Mix, Feedback

VCV Rack - VCO-1 & VCO-2 and Their Functions

VCV Rack - LFO-1 and LFO-2

VCV Rack - 8vert and Waveform Inversion

VCV Rack - Autodafe Modules - Keyboard, BPM Clock, LFO

VCV Rack - Autodafe Modules - Reverb & Phaser

Learn Hydrogen Drum Machine Series

Hydrogen - UI Layout & Basics

Hydrogen - How to Make Beats

Hydrogen - Beat Shaping Tools

Hydrogen - Rhythmic Resolution

Hydrogen - Pitch Shifting

Hydrogen - Effective Beat Making

Hydrogen - Song Editor, ADSR, Importing DrumKits from Respositories

Hydrogen - Humanize (Velocity, Timing & Swing)

Hydrogen - New Instruments, Loading Samples & Multiple Sample Sounds

Hydrogen - Beat Counter, BPM & Other Tempo Tools

Learn Helm Series

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Helm Introduction Video

Helm 1st Oscillator Video Tutorial

Helm 2nd Oscillator Video Tutorial

Helm - Cross Modulation

Helm - Amplitude Envelope

Helm - Keyboard Response A

Learn Audacity Series

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If you would like to learn how to use the open source sound recording and editing software Audacity then have a look at these tutorials: