A control that shapes how a sound changes in level over the course of a note.
An envelope shapes how a parameter of a sound — most often its volume — evolves over the duration of a note, and the classic form is the ADSR envelope, standing for Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release. Attack is how quickly the sound reaches full level when a note begins, decay is how it falls to the sustain level it holds while the note is pressed, and release is how it fades after the note is let go. These four controls determine whether a sound is a sharp, plucky stab or a slow, swelling pad. Envelopes are central to synthesis and are often also used to shape filters and other parameters, not just volume.
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