Quasi-Harmonic Sequencer
That may sound like some fancy terminology, but it's basically the same as the Morphing Through Harmonics example with one difference - the Width knob is set to zero. Instead of smoothly interpolating between adjacent harmonics, Harmonia instantly snaps from one harmonic to the next as the Center control is moved or modulated. This allows the creation of sequencer-like note patterns.
We like to say "sequencer-like," because it's not exactly like using a traditional analog step-sequencer in that the playback rate of harmonics (notes) changes depending the Center Mod depth setting. It makes sense if you think about it because an LFO at a given speed is going to modulate between two adjacent harmonics far more slowly than if it were modulating across all eight, for example.
More Faux-Sequencer Tips
At the risk of pointing out the obvious, the above sequencer-like tricks are what prompted us to include the harmonics tuning Semitone mode. The Harmonics Presets include a number of semitone scales, which are great head start, or you can create melodies from scratch by dialing the red tuning knobs as with any step sequencer.
If you missed this in the Oscillator 1 & 2 section, dialing a harmonics tuning knob fully counterclockwise disables sound altogether for that harmonic. This is useful for rests/silent steps in our faux sequences (notice in the image above how harmonic #8's display is blank).
If you don't want the sequence to transpose when playing different keyboard notes, disable the Keyb Track button at the top. The Octave and Detune controls can be used to tune the sequence to the desire key/range.
The Combo Platter
One of Harmonia's niftiest features (that we accidentally discovered) is that just about any of the sound programming techniques we've described can be combined. Following is an admittedly over-the-top example of how to make a single oscillator sound like... three-and-an-half oscillators?
Click the New button in the top left corner to create an initialized patch.
Click on the orange text in Oscillator 1's Waveform selector, and select the Vocal>Choral 3 wave.
Click the Harmonic Level Bar 1 at the bottom and drag it vertically to its max setting, then Harmonic Level Bar 2 about halfway up.
Make sure the Initial Level fader is turned up near max.
Set the Center slider between harmonics 6 and 7 (about 80%).
Now we'll modulate the Center slider. Click on the Src button in the Center Mod section and set it to LFOs>LFO 1 . Turn the gray Center Mod knob right to around 9%. Harmonic 6 and 7's skinny red VU meters should be going nuts.
Now we'll set up LFO parameters. Make sure the #1 tab is selected (it should be orange). We'll use the default triangle wave. Set the Rate to 2.25 Hz, and Bias to center.
Now we have the first two harmonics playing a static "base" note, and the higher harmonics flipping back and forth. But wait... we'll make an even bigger mess by using the Mod Matrix to modulate the levels of harmonics 4 and 5:
First, we'll set up an LFO. Click the LFO #3 tab, set the Rate to 2.00 Hz, the Wave to Square, and the Bias knob to center position (0%).
In the Mod Matrix, click the #3 button. Click in the blank Source window and select LFOs>LFO 3. Click in the blank Destination window and select Oscillator 1>4th Harmonic. Turn the Amount knob all the way up (+).
Now click Mod Matrix, button #4. Click in the blank Source window and select LFOs>LFO 3 here too. Click in the blank Destination window and select Oscillator 1>5th Harmonic. Turn the Amount knob all the way down (-).
How's that for a whole lotta sound from just one oscillator?!? We could even mod harmonic 3 with some other mod source for more chaos. Or mod the Width knob for splashes of all the harmonics - the possibilities are endless.
And finally, keep in mind that the red harmonic tuning knobs can be used to set the harmonic pitches however you'd like - that is, "higher" harmonics don't necessarily need to be higher.
