The idea to listen for

Decay usually describes the transition from the attack peak toward the sustain level. Sustain is the level held during the sustained phase, not a duration. Their relationship changes the impression of a pluck. With sustain near zero, decay largely determines how the note fades while held. With a higher sustain, the same decay setting can produce a brief accent followed by a continuing body.

Set up a fair comparison

TRY THIS STARTING POINTHeld note · zero release initially · two sustain levels

Try the exercise

  1. Set a quick attack and sustain near zero. Hold a note while changing decay from short to longer.
  2. Raise sustain while keeping decay fixed. Listen for the new continuing body beneath the initial accent.
  3. Play the real phrase and compare which combination preserves articulation without leaving an unwanted sustained layer.

If the result is not working

If the note keeps ringing after release, the release stage or an effect tail is responsible. Do not keep changing decay to solve a problem that occurs after note-off.

A closer listening check

Listen for the point at which the initial emphasis becomes a stable body. Can you identify that transition? Understanding it makes envelope choices more precise than simply labeling a patch plucky or soft.

Technical background

These references explain the underlying tools and concepts. The scene brief, settings and listening exercise on this page are 51ROUSI suggestions, not instructions endorsed by these publishers. How we use sources.

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