Ring modulation takes an input signal and a carrier wave, multiplying them using a ring of four diodes. The process suppresses the original carrier and input frequencies entirely, leaving behind complex sidebands that create harsh, metallic, or bell-like tones. It is a classic technique in radio transmission and analog synthesizers, famously used to create the robotic voices of the Daleks.
Patch the sine wave into the carrier input for the ring modulation to get that metallic clanging sound.
Related terms
Modulate
To vary a property of a carrier signal in order to transmit information.
Synthesizer
An instrument that generates precise, adjustable electronic signals for testing.
Mixer
A non-linear circuit that combines two different input frequencies to generate new output frequencies.
Envelope
The envelope is the smooth curve outlining the extremes of a modulated high-frequency signal.