ADSR(-ish) envelope generator

This is a simple but effective envelope generator designed by Moritz Klein in his video. It approximates an ADSR by mixing together a short +12V peak and an attenuated version of the input signal and then feeding them into a capacitor through 2 diodes and potentiomters. The opposite polarity diodes in series with the pots let you control the rate the capacitor charges and discharges at independently, so you can adjust “attack” and “decay + release” independently.

Pros:

• Simple and easy to build
• Sounds good
• Decay and release are controlled by the same knob

Cons:

• Decay and release are controlled by the same knob
• Turning up the attack “eats” the decay part of the envelope

Schematics

Moritz Klein’s circuit

The schematic can be seen in Moritz Klein’s youtube video: “Designing a simple ADSR(-ish) envelope generator from scratch”.

Moritz has also created a falstad simulation of the circuit.