Timing Quantization

Controls: Gen Dlg >> Stream >> Smooth TC >> Quant
Macros: TmQuant, TmQuantMod

Noise-type Waves produce outputs distributed over the entire DAC output range (typically 16 bits), utilizing the full resolution. For example, with White Noise the output is uniformly distributed over 65536 values (with 16-bit DACs).

The Quant control specifies the number of steps between negative and positive full-scale outputs. When it is set to 0 (default) it gives the maximum number of steps, regardless of the DAC bits. It also gives the maximum if you set any value larger than the maximum.

When Quant is set to 1, the output is binary: It goes from one extreme to the other in a single step.

Note that if you want some number L levels in the output, set Quant to L-1.

Quant has a qualitatively different effect depending upon whether you are using Step or Slow mode. This is best seen with White Noise and Quant = 1 for a binary output. With the Step Size = 100 you will see random binary transitions, but each interval will be some multiple of 100 samples. With Slow factor = 100 you also see random binary transitions, but there is no particular width multiple. That's because the Slow wave may sometimes, for example, just barely peek over the binary threshold for a few samples, then return. You'll have to decide which approach is most appropriate for your work.

Quant Modulation

Normally, you can ignore the Quant pushbutton and just use the edit portion of the control. The button opens a Timing Modulator dialog that allows the Quantization parameter to be modulated, either by a sine wave source with adjustable frequency and phase, or by some other stream source. You can set the base Quant parameter from that dialog, as well as the modulation depth.

When modulation is applied, the effective Quant value is equal to the sum of the base Quant value plus the modulator scaled by the modulator depth. For example, if the depth is 10% then the effective Quant ranges from 90% to 110% of its base value. If the base Quant is, say, 500 levels, the effective quant will then range from 450 to 550 levels.

Macro Notes:

L.1.TmQuant=10 sets Left Stream 1 Quant to 10 steps (11 levels, counting 0). L.1.TmQuant=>1 increments the current Quant value, and L.1.TmQuant=>-1 decrements it. Only +/-1 steps are allowed.

If the Timing Dialog is open, TmQuantMod=1 opens the Quant Timing Modulation dialog, TmQuantMod=0 closes it, and TmQuantMod=x toggles between open and closed. Note, however, that you do not need to open the dialog to set its controls directly.

See also Stream Modulation, Random / Step Timing Dialog, Waveform Stream Controls.