In trigger mode, the attack phase functions as a pre-delay before the sound starts

In standard ADSR, the attack phase ramps amplitude from zero to peak, so a long attack produces a slow fade-in. In trigger mode (where the envelope runs to completion after note-on regardless of note-off), setting a longer attack effectively delays the onset of the sound: during the attack ramp the amplitude is still very low, producing perceived silence before the decay spike arrives. This makes attack time a pre-delay parameter — offset the start of each oscillator layer by setting different attack times. This technique is used in 808 clap synthesis to time-stagger multiple noise bursts and is also useful for delay-free layering effects in drum rack design.

Examples

Operator in trigger mode: osc 1 attack = 0 ms (fires immediately), osc 2 attack = 40 ms (fires 40 ms later), osc 3 attack = 80 ms. Each oscillator’s ‘pre-delay’ is its attack time.

Assessment

Given trigger mode with a very long attack and short decay, describe the shape of the audible output. Then compare this to standard mode with the same settings.