Oscillator retrigger controls whether each note starts from the same phase, affecting attack consistency

When Retrigger is enabled on a Surge XT oscillator, every note onset resets the oscillator (and all its unison voices) to the same phase position. This makes each note attack sound identical — consistent and ‘snappy’. When disabled, the oscillator phase is wherever it happens to be in its cycle when a new note is triggered, producing slightly varied attack transients and a less digital, more organic onset. For unison pads, leaving retrigger off creates warmth and unpredictability since unison voices start at random phases. For lead lines and bass where attack clarity matters, retrigger on is conventional.

Examples

Enable retrigger on a bass oscillator for consistent punch on every note. Disable it on a unison pad for natural ensemble-like phase randomness on each chord attack.

Assessment

When would you intentionally disable oscillator retrigger? What does enabling retrigger do to unison oscillator voices at note onset?