Synthesis tips and tutorials - How to create your own patches

kasprouch · 13th July 2009

Sound On Sound Synth Secrets et al.

SonicState.com Top Twenty Synths

SonicState.com Top 5 Greatest Samplers

SonicState.com Top 20 Weirdest Instruments

Rane Genius Brilliance

Bluesynths Brilliance Genius

Buchla Manuals

Serge Modular

Music Tech Tutorials

SynthesisWorkshops (based on Nord G2)

Advanced Programming Techniques for Modular Synthesizers

cSounds.com

Miller Puckette's Music Theory

Physical Modeling on the Nord Modular G2

Collection of threads on Nord G2

Nord G2 workshops

GENTLE GIANT

AudioTuts

OurDarkness · 21st July 2009

Here's another link for advanced synthesis techniques:

Advanced Programming Techniques for Modular Synthesizers

and here's possibly the Bible of synthesis:

cSounds.com

the_man361 · 30th July 2009

i find miller puckette's theory and technique of electronic music to be one of the most useful writings for synth and electronic music.. free one anyway. curtis road's computer music tutorial (book) is very good too.

heres puckette's paper: Miller Puckette

Oli · 2nd August 2009

Hi, thanks for posting these links, and sorry for posting late to this thread. I don't spend a lot of time on this forum, and often turn up late.

I have a G2, and frequent the electro-music forum. Rob Hordijk is very astute. I am an electronic engineer, and majored in communications theory, signal processing etc. From an engineering perspective, Rob Hordijk's synthesis observations and designs are very insightful, and also technologically very creative. He really gets it. His tutorials are fantastic, but he also posts some other great ideas in the threads at electro-music. It can be really easy to miss the crux of some of his ideas, which can use mathematical principles in rather creative ways.

I think the members there who have stood out to me are:

Rob Hordijk
Roland Kuit
Chet Singer
Wout Blommers (very friendly, knowledgable, community oriented guy)

There are a few other things I think worth looking at from there, pretty Nord Modular oriented, but contain many trasnferable principles.

I think someone may have mentioned the Wizoo book on the Nord modular? I thought it was hosted online somewhere, though I haven't turned it up just now.

Chet's physical modelling
Some collected interesting threads
Some workshops, maybe some replicated material here
Roland Kuit's tutorial DVD

I have to say that technologically, the Nord modulars are out dated these days. They are closed systems, with no further back end development. The current crop of VST modulars offer much greater flexibility for sound design. Analogue modulars also have much heartier sounding oscillators and filters. Kyma, and also synth oriented programming environments and languages, of course, are another step again. I think the Nord modular kit still has some good points though.

Cheers,

oli

edit - should note, I have only skimmed through this material, not really examined it in depth yet

O.F.F. · 6th August 2009

A top*twenty synth list without this:
GENTLE GIANT

Sure it is unobtainable to mere mortals and it was listed in the Yamaha catalogue as a home organ but DAMN!!!

**Reptil** · 22nd August 2009

this
Buchla Manuals
and
this
serge.html (scroll to resources)

**Reptil** · 4th December 2009

found another one: this has also info on production techniques and various DAW software (videos)

Music Tech Tutorials | Ableton Live, Reason, Logic, Cubase, Pro Tools, FL Studio, DJ Tutorials, Reviews, Previews, Interviews & much more

cheers!

MonoBrow · 23rd December 2009

Just seen this.Brilliant imo.
in Bb 2.0 - a collaborative music/spoken word project

e6400ultra · 25th December 2009

The original gear slutz. thumbsup

Edit: I posted this when this thread was still titled "Pure Genius".

antihero · 10th January 2010

Trifonic posted tutorials of some of their beat editing and bass techniques on Next Step Audio*|*Electronic music production tutorials by Trifonic

msl · 6th May 2010

This is a site for beginner to intermediate users. Covers a lot of ground, daws, synthesis, production, recording, tutorials, really a great all round resource. I always recommend it to people starting out as its all written in a very easy to understand way.

AudioTuts

.

Jim Stout · 9th July 2010

Here are my latest V-Synth GT videos.

bonzotracker · 15th July 2010

I am creating this thread for few reasons.
1. because we all started once upon a time and we all know its alot easier to follow guide lines than run around like headless chickens asking every time there's something we don't understand.
2.too bring up the standard of this message board not that i think its low but hey cant harm now can it.
3.because i am heavily dyslexic and i need practice writing as the majority of the time i read and hardly write

learning music
Right lets kick things off the most under rated and least talked about thing is learning to play an instrument. Time and time again the one thing that lacks on every myspace soundcloud etc... is the fact that i can hear that some one has just penciled in a few midi notes and then trys to over compensate by using extreme amounts of modulation. tutt now i am not trying to say that everyone here wants to be the next Beethoven but a catchy melody is key to making a club banger. weather you like it or not learning to play an instrument will make your music grow leaps and bounds. as a side note i would like to point out that learning keys guitar theory etc does not happen over night but if you stick with it it does become easier

here is a few links to get you started

this is guy runs through all the basic for learning keys
YouTube - How to play piano: The basics, Piano Lesson #1

and theory
YouTube - #1 LEARN FREE MUSIC THEORY

and more theory
Ricci Adams' Musictheory.net - Lessons

whats a melody?
YouTube - How Music Works 1 - Melody - Part 1

whats is harmony?
YouTube - How Music Works 3 - Harmony - Part 1

how does rhythm work?
YouTube - How Music Works 2 - Rhythm - Part 1

whats bass and how does it work?
YouTube - How Music Works 4 - Bass - Part 1

COUNTERPOINT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcqrG...os=UgU_JMq0gZE

jazz theory
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvqYZ...os=EI1yQOXQ3fo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIKNP...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVCBo...os=8-4jkwTgDlw

learning your daw
Ok so next thing is learning your daw you need to learn this to the point that it becomes second nature to you. pick one and stick to it like glue
all of them pretty much do the same thing.
here are a list of them

logic (mac only)

cubase (pc and mac)

ableton live (pc and mac)

pro tools (pc and mac)

fl studio (pc only)

reaper (pc and mac)

if people could please send me links to vids or fourms of each one of these
daw it would save me a lot of work thank you

Catabolic · 26th July 2010

Thought I'd share something the FM fans over here might find interesting. You might know the Machinedrum has an EFM machine which provides 2-op FM synthesis (maybe 3-op, the manual doesn't say the number). But, then one day it occurred to me that since it has 16 independently configurable oscillators and 16 modulators, it's actually capable of a very high number of simultaneous FM synthesis operators (32 total). Plus, it has a number of the modulator types that the TX81Z offers over the DX series.

I'm still hanging on to my DX for old time's sake but once this occurred to me, the MD has been adding a lot into my FM palette.

YouTube - Machinedrum 32 Op FM Synthesis

Hope you enjoy the tutorial vid.

Simonator · 21st August 2010

Kick drum technique threads:

The Bassdrum

Kick Drum Layering Techniques

Advanced Kick drum tip thread

How to produce that wide, round sub-bass kick?

Those clubby subs

ok, layering a sub tone on a punchy kick

Another "How to produce this kick drum ..." thread

How to achieve THAT phatness in the low end ?!

How do you get a sub-bassline to sit in a House mix?!

Add artificial sub low end plugin suggestion?

How Do You Make Your Kicks?

Jake · 31st August 2010

Several years ago Access put together a decent intro guide called "Programming Analog Synthesizers." Although it's geared towards the Virus a lot of the tips are applicable to any analog or VA synth.

Access Music | Support contact and resources

SSL-Baby · 15th September 2010

came across this gem

Synth Student

**Don Solaris** · 28th September 2010

Making Andromeda sound 'more vintage'
GETTING MORE ANALOGUE TONE OUT OF THE ANDROMEDA SYNTHESIZER

tags: alesis andromeda tuning a6 background analog

Disable Background Tuning

This will provide your Andromeda with more analog FAT sound, due to too perfect routine in Background tuning (which is enabled by default). Putting all oscillators on exactly the same frequency makes the unit a little bit sterile in sound. All the vintage analogs had imperfectly designed VCOs that would float slowly in pitch up and down on a miniature scale. With Background tuning enabled this free VCO float is killed and the Andromeda becomes more cold and DCO sounding. If you're analog purist, you should disable the Background tuning. Also, according to some sources, Background tuning eats some CPU power reducing the overall performance. This is the procedure on how to disable and perform the necessary auto-tune after that:

Turn on Andromeda. Leave it on for about 30min so that the board reaches the "average" temperature. Disable Background tuning in the Auto Tune section. Now engage the auto tune (press Auto Tune button twice).

From now on, your Andromeda should be stable in pitch after the board reaches the "average" temperature to which you calibrated voltages of each voice and filter. Once about a month you can do the Auto Tune routine.

Temperature tuning

If precise pitch is not critical in your track, for even more "analog" sound, you can disable Temperature tuning as well. However, disabling Temp tuning is not recommended if you do live gigs, as there's a big chance your Andy will be way off the rest of your setup or band, to the point you won't be able to compensate it with the Tune knob. So please keep in mind that playing this synth with disabled temperature tuning is risky (though it can be amusing if you're hard core 1970's analog fanatic).

Set proper levels (the most crucial part of Andromeda!)

While checking my Andromeda i found one interesting feature that was maybe intentionally implemented but which at the same time might confuse new owners. It has to do with pre filter signal levels. For some reason, if the combined level of two oscillators exceeds 30 or if one of them is set above 30, waveshape takes place, waveform becomes clipped (cut off) resulting in somehow plastic sound. A simple oscilloscope reveals this as well. Therefore, you should never set high VCO levels i.e. 100 unless you intentionally want this clipping (which is interesting at first, but somehow becomes annoying "plastic" sounding after a while). Some users found other stages of Andromeda to have similar behavior with excessive levels as well. We will summarize them all here:

The pre filter mixer will overdrive with combined values exceeding total of 30 (i.e VCO1=15 VCO2=15; or VCO1=30 VCO2=0; should work good).
The post filter mixer will do as well with values above 50.
The VCA will overdrive with default level of 100. You should therefore set levels of volume envelope at 80-90 instead. This will also improve the envelope response (see below).

----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, December 20, 2002 4:06 AM
Subject: Re: [A6] Andromeda tips[/I]

>/ The pre filter mixer will overdrive with values about 30,
/>/ the post filter mixer will do as as well with values above 50
/>/ the VCAs are also overdriven a the default level of 100 in ENV1.
/>/ Setting ENV1's level to 80 or below will give a clearer and brighter sound
/>/

Yes, this seems to be the case with what I found out on my side. I usually bring the sustain level on the VCA below 90, but ~80 seems to be where I get cleaner sounds. As I said in my previous message, I like staying away from what sounds like slurred attack rates by also dropping the attack level. It seems like the VCA with a setting of 100.5 in the attack stage, coupled with 100 in the sustain stage has no real 'punch'. I get good results with a 80-something sustain, and an attack level in the 90's... I think this might be the source of some of the confusion that people have had with sounds that aren't snappy on the A6. It sure was something that bothered me when I first started programming on this synth, but I have no problem with percussive/bass sounds now. I think it's more important to shape the envelopes carefully, then to default to using engine optimization automatically.

Recommended download: Andromeda Tips and Tricks stikestike

SCSI · 1st October 2010

Here's some links that will help people understand FM synthesis a bit more. The first one is written in very clear easy to understand language, the second is a bit more textbook like

DUBBHISM: tao of fm

http://www.sfu.ca/~truax/fmtut.html

Yoozer · 30th October 2010

Useful for the basics, saves me reposting them over and over again:

DarkPlasma · 4th November 2010

Willam Horne

**Don Solaris** · 9th December 2010

Roland JD 800 emulation on XV synthesizers
tags: roland jd800 jd990 jd-800 xv-5080 5050

Starting with model JV-1080, some waveforms from the JD-800 were transferred into JV-1080. This process continued with XV series, to the point that all of 108 JD waveforms are now available in the XV synths - seems like 7 are missing but are more likely renamed.

But that’s not all. What would be a JD without it’s special multi effect processor. That’s why Roland implemented JD’s "Effect processor A" into XV. In other words, you got a JD synth hidden inside your XV synth, and you can finally start converting favorite JD patches. There are some differences in the filter, but more on that later. I should just state that the 44.1k referenced samples points to models XV-5080 and XV-5050. I can not guarantee that model 3080 contains 44.1k playback engine at all, neither the samples in that format - it has been reported the machine is 32k. I can however guarantee than in 5080/5050 waveforms from the JD-800 are in original 44.1k format.

Table below shows us internal memory content (waveforms) of the JD-800. Starting with ‘’001 Syn Saw 1′’, ending with ‘’108 Wind Chime'’. Position of these same waves inside XV synthesizer are marked with orange color. For example if you want to load Syn Pulse 4 that on JD is waveform number 008, on XV you will find it on number 557.

JD-800 multi effect group A

With the XV synthesizer, Roland also brought us back the famous JD-800 multi effect from its section A block (note: the JD has two effect sections). On XV series it is available as MFX number "75: JD MULTI". Just like on the JD-800, it allows distortion, phaser, spectrum and enhancer effects to be connected in series in any desired order. It features exactly the same settings as available on JD-800. Here is a brief explanation for each one of them.

1. Distortion
The first effect in the chain is obvious - a standard distortion. This effect is useful in situations when you wish to add some drive to solos or do some nasty clipping effects depending on the sound design application. There are seven types of distortion available:
MELLOW DRIVE: A soft, mellow distortion; somewhat darksounding.
OVERDRIVE: The classic sound of an overdriven tube amp.
CRY DRIVE: Distortion with a high-frequency boost.
MELLOW DIST: Sounds like the distortion you’d get from a really big amp.
LIGHT DIST: A distortion with an intense, brilliant feel.
FAT DIST: Boosted lows and highs gives this one a thick, fat sound.
FUZZ DIST: Like FAT DIST, but with even more distortion.

2. Phaser
In typical phaser, modulation effect is created by mixing original sound with a phase shifted one. Result is a swirling effect and is best suited for backing sounds such as strings or electric pianos. Phaser will be most effective on sounds rich with harmonics, such as saw or pulse waves. Therefore it would be better to insert the phaser after the distortion or spectrum. For the best results, you should use center frequency at around 1 kHz.

3. Spectrum
Spectrum is an effect that modifies sound by boosting or cutting specified frequency areas, resulting in different tone colors. This effect might look similar to an equalizer. However, the frequency of each band has been set at the optimal location for adding a distinctive character to the sound. Rather than correcting the sound, spectrum allows you to aggressively modify the tonal character.

Spectrum will be best heard on spectral rich sounds such as white noise. There, the change will be most evident. For most expressive result use narrow bandwidth (set it to 5) and try setting all bands to max gain (positive or negative). When using wide bandwidth settings (set to 1) sound becomes less distinctive, and it starts to sound like an ordinary EQ.

4. Enhancer
Enhancer is a sort of aural exciter type of effect. Can be effective for sharpening up the vocal types of patches, flutes, guitars, etc. It will really help the instrument (patch) stand out in the mix. Its function is to generate new overtones out of the fundamental ones. With sensitivity you can set the depth of enhancer effect. While with the mix parameter you are specifying the mixture of original sound and the newly created sound overtones.

Effects setup on XV
Image below shows us the real JD-800 effect processor routing. As you can see, effects group A is connected in both series and parallel to group B. Same thing can be done in XV. The only difference is that on XV there is no effects group B, but instead there is separate chorus and reverb/delay. Since they can be configured in series or parallel, you can think of them as "group B" with only difference that you can have either delay or reverb, but not both like on the JD.

Image below shows us typical JD-800 effects setup emulated on XV. Chorus and reverb simulate JD’s "effect group B" while MFX: 75 JD Mlt provides "group A". In this example, group A is connected in series to group B. Inside group B we connected chorus and reverb in parallel (M+R), so that we get chorused signal out followed by reverb/delay (in this example i used Reverb 1, type: Delay).

It is possible to have delay and reverb at the same time, but you will lose chorus. If this setup is required, just set chorus to type 2: delay (200-1000ms). Now you will have both delay and reverb.

Filter conversion table
Before starting to build or convert you first JD patches, keep in mind that JD and XV have different filter numerating system. For example, max resonance on JD is 100 while on XV is 127. Same is with the cutoff. For better conversion of your JD patches you will need this JD/XV cutoff and resonance conversion table.

disco judas · 12th December 2010

Curtis Roads :

YouTube - Ep 1 - Motherboard - Granular Synthesis - Curtis Roads

YouTube - Curtis Roads Part 2: Getting Granular

YouTube - Curtis Roads Part 3: Build It Up

widdershins · 26th January 2011

I have some free synthesis tutorials on Youtube:

YouTube - soundsLogical's Channel

which cover making various sounds, some of which have got rather popular. I cover stuff such as fx sounds, nice dubby chords, nice bass sounds and, er, obnoxious bass sounds. Whatever takes my fancy really.

I also have a paid set of tutorials on Logic's ES2 here:

Sound Guru - Logic Pro & Sound Design Tutorials

Which are a bit more comprehensive, and serve as a good introduction to subtractive synthesis in general. The difference between these and (say) the MacProVideo tutes is that after explaining all of the synth's features, I go on to do 1 1/2 hours of synthesis workshop videos, which offer practical advice on making all kinds of sounds from scratch.

I felt other video tutorial series were missing this "practical application" element, so I decided to make my own.

(hope this is not considered spamming tutt )

Demokid · 26th January 2011

Found this youtube dude. Showing how to patch modular synth and test different modules:

More of 7th Dan Black Belt modular synths videos:
YouTube - 7thDanSound's Channel

Kind regards
Demokid

Jim Stout · 28th January 2011

Produce Layered Claps & Snares « Music Production Tips | Mixing Walkthrough Tricks | How To Videos | Free Samples

Here's a fun one.

KRE8A · 9th February 2011

Waveforms

foodeater · 25th March 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake

Several years ago Access put together a decent intro guide called "Programming Analog Synthesizers." Although it's geared towards the Virus a lot of the tips are applicable to any analog or VA synth.

Access Music | Support contact and resources

I just came across this guide and wanted to second this recommendation. It's actually written by Howard Scarr and it's really interesting for the non-techy asides.

Check out this excerpt from his site:

Quote:

Originally Posted by On the Origin of Music - Howard Scarr

As far as I know, the father of ambient sounds in western popular music was one Bernie Krause, who teamed up with organist Paul Beaver during the late 60s. In 1967 Beaver and Krause released “The Nonesuch Guide to Electronic Music”, still considered a standard reference in the annals of electronic music history. Bernie Krause is a highly interesting character who was not only instrumental in promoting the use of synthesizers in the broadcast media, but also put forward quite a plausible theory on how music-making began all those millennia ago. The following paragraph is a short excerpt from Bernie’s article “THE NICHE HYPOTHESIS: How Animals Taught Us To Dance and Sing”. I think it is worth quoting here, although the good Doctor Krause says this section is a bit out of date..

“Experienced musical composers know that in order to achieve an unimpeded resonance the sound of each instrument must have its own unique voice and place in the spectrum of events being orchestrated. All too little attention has been paid to the possibility that insects, birds and mammals in any given environment have been finding their aural niche since the beginning of time... A complex vital beauty emerges that the best of sonic artists in Western culture have yet to achieve. Like the recent acknowledgement that medicine owes much to rainforest flora, it is my hunch that the development our sound arts owes at least as much to the "noise" of our natural environments.” - Bernie Krause

Whether this really applies to Cro-Magnon bone-bashing or not, this article certainly got me thinking a bit further than usual. I came up with the following, very obvious answer to a big question that had been bugging me for many years: Because of the huge advantage of listening intently and recognising patterns in all the animal noises around us (otherwise we get eaten and/or fail to catch our prey), early humans evolved to take great pleasure in this activity - it was another survival factor like eating, sex and physical exercise. OK, that applies more or less to all animals with ears, but we humans were the only species brainy enough to develop highly structured music over a few generations (memes require intelligence). So the sonic pleasure of the whole tribe is maximised and they stick together through thick and thin. I suppose we now have “death by chocolate” type foods, porn and hooliganism for similar reasons - there are a few downsides to being an intelligent species of pleasure-seekers!

He has a v-synth guide too. I hope it's just as interesting.
Downloads

**Don Solaris** · 4th September 2011

------reserved-----

**Don Solaris** · 4th September 2011

------reserved------

23rd December 2009	#8
MonoBrow Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hamburg Posts: 2,108	Just seen this.Brilliant imo. in Bb 2.0 - a collaborative music/spoken word project __________________ Come! It is time to give the Machine-Man your Face!

10th January 2010	#10
antihero Gear interested Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3	nextstepaudio.com Trifonic posted tutorials of some of their beat editing and bass techniques on Next Step Audio\|Electronic music production tutorials by Trifonic

6th May 2010	#11
msl Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Dublin Posts: 3,505 1 Review written	This is a site for beginner to intermediate users. Covers a lot of ground, daws, synthesis, production, recording, tutorials, really a great all round resource. I always recommend it to people starting out as its all written in a very easy to understand way. AudioTuts . __________________ "It's like a throbbing jellyfish of low end" Joseph Micolo Latest releases here & here

9th July 2010	#12
Jim Stout Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Denver Colorado Posts: 580	Here are my latest V-Synth GT videos. __________________ http://www.soundstosample.com/ http://www.beatport.com

15th July 2010	#13
bonzotracker Gear nut Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: uk Posts: 130	So you have decided you want to be a superstar dj I am creating this thread for few reasons. 1. because we all started once upon a time and we all know its alot easier to follow guide lines than run around like headless chickens asking every time there's something we don't understand. 2.too bring up the standard of this message board not that i think its low but hey cant harm now can it. 3.because i am heavily dyslexic and i need practice writing as the majority of the time i read and hardly write learning music Right lets kick things off the most under rated and least talked about thing is learning to play an instrument. Time and time again the one thing that lacks on every myspace soundcloud etc... is the fact that i can hear that some one has just penciled in a few midi notes and then trys to over compensate by using extreme amounts of modulation. tutt now i am not trying to say that everyone here wants to be the next Beethoven but a catchy melody is key to making a club banger. weather you like it or not learning to play an instrument will make your music grow leaps and bounds. as a side note i would like to point out that learning keys guitar theory etc does not happen over night but if you stick with it it does become easier here is a few links to get you started this is guy runs through all the basic for learning keys YouTube - How to play piano: The basics, Piano Lesson #1 and theory YouTube - #1 LEARN FREE MUSIC THEORY and more theory Ricci Adams' Musictheory.net - Lessons whats a melody? YouTube - How Music Works 1 - Melody - Part 1 whats is harmony? YouTube - How Music Works 3 - Harmony - Part 1 how does rhythm work? YouTube - How Music Works 2 - Rhythm - Part 1 whats bass and how does it work? YouTube - How Music Works 4 - Bass - Part 1 COUNTERPOINT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcqrG...os=UgU_JMq0gZE jazz theory http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvqYZ...os=EI1yQOXQ3fo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIKNP...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVCBo...os=8-4jkwTgDlw learning your daw Ok so next thing is learning your daw you need to learn this to the point that it becomes second nature to you. pick one and stick to it like glue all of them pretty much do the same thing. here are a list of them logic (mac only) cubase (pc and mac) ableton live (pc and mac) pro tools (pc and mac) fl studio (pc only) reaper (pc and mac) if people could please send me links to vids or fourms of each one of these daw it would save me a lot of work thank you synthesis this is really good video to get the basics down once you grasp the concept of subtractive synthesis the sky's the limit it also means that if you watch a video of how to make xxxx sound you start to figure out why the patch sounds the way it does anyways here we go Basic Synthesis Tutorial - Part 1 http://www.mutantaudio.net/tutorials/basic_synthesis_tutorial_part1/index.html Basic Synthesis Tutorial - Part 2 http://www.mutantaudio.net/tutorials/basic_synthesis_tutorial_part_2/basic_synthesis_tutorial_part_2_ma.html Spectrasonics Omnisphere tutorial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNNQz...os=dsNfPrhCpY4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H387...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aokE5...eature=related production tips from the pros these vids are mainly from professional producers Thomas Gold Part 1 YouTube - Future Music In The Studio With Thomas Gold Part 1 Thomas Gold Part 2 YouTube - Future Music In the Studio With Thomas Gold Part 2 Thomas Gold Part 3 YouTube - Future Music In The Studio With Thomas Gold Part 3 Joris Voornpart part 1 YouTube - Joris Voorn - Future Music Magazine { In the Studio } PT.1 Joris Voornpart part 2 YouTube - Joris Voorn - Future Music Magazine { In the Studio } PT.2 Chris Lake Part 1 YouTube - Future Music In The Studio With Chris Lake Part 1 Chris Lake Part 2 YouTube - Future Music In The Studio With Chris Lake Part 2 The Young Punx http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BttX6MsZFqg&feature=related Chase and Status http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYMC57ldgE4&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crp6eGfdOtQ&feature=related Rusko http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4rDC1kuHtc&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eLFb6CecXA&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGJMhYv5fqA&feature=related Breakfastaz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSZty-E2Kiw&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxq49WcwgW0&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sePrUJJGQhM&feature=PlayList&p=4CCC42E24651FEB2&index=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8hh5aPZJtU&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccDyuNbsu6k&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQu3rzGu1ak&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGRV21cCx4o&feature=related D.Ramirez YouTube - Future Music : In the studio with D.Ramirez Part 1 YouTube - Future Music : In the studio with D.Ramirez Part 2 YouTube - D Future Music : In the studio with D.Ramirez Part 3 Funkagenda YouTube - FM213 Funkagenda 1a YouTube - FM213 Funkagenda 1 b YouTube - FM213 Funkagenda 2 a YouTube - FM213 Funkagenda 2 b YouTube - FM213 Funkagenda 3 a YouTube - FM213 Funkagenda 3 b YouTube - FM213 Funkagenda 4 a YouTube - FM213 Funkagenda 4 b YouTube - FM213 Funkagenda 5 a YouTube - FM213 Funkagenda 5 b AlanBraxe YouTube - In the studio with AlanBraxe FM219 Nathan Fake YouTube - Nathan Fake part 1 YouTube - Nathan Fake part 2 YouTube - Nathan Fake part 3 Benga YouTube - Benga Interview - Future Music May 2008 - Part1 YouTube - Benga Interview - Future Music May 2008 - Part2 YouTube - Benga Interview - Future Music May 2008 - Part3 The Body Snatchers YouTube - The Body Snatchers Producer Masterclass Part 1 YouTube - The Body Snatchers Producer Masterclass Part 2 booka shade Slices - Tech Talk: Booka Shade Martin Buttrich Slices - Tech Talk: Booka Shade Hybrid Slices - Tech Talk: Booka Shade Coburn Slices - Tech Talk: Booka Shade Bonobo YouTube - Bonobo Producer Masterclass Pt.1 YouTube - Bonobo Producer Masterclass Pt.2 YouTube - Bonobo Producer Masterclass Pt.3 mason http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuKho...os=qX4u76luoVw jazzanova http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_cp7Stlyhw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psnxA...eature=related POLE interview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXE-p...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUFrn...eature=related Sherman filter bank http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJB76...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BWcd...eature=related EL-B http://www.vimeo.com/2991928 Matt Schwartz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9k1i...eature=channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNVWW...eature=channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k64Ka...eature=channel documentary and interviews pop music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTpy9...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmbLe...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQslf...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDJsU...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z88Fs...eature=related red ball academy this website is pure gold if you want to watch interviews sometimes technical sometimes not but all ways interesting none the less http://www.redbullmusicacademy.com/v...ve/lectures/80 to be continued..........

13th July 2009	#1
kasprouch Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,348 Thread Starter	Synthesis tips and tutorials - How to create your own patches Sound On Sound Synth Secrets et al. SonicState.com Top Twenty Synths SonicState.com Top 5 Greatest Samplers SonicState.com Top 20 Weirdest Instruments Rane Genius Brilliance Bluesynths Brilliance Genius Buchla Manuals Serge Modular Music Tech Tutorials SynthesisWorkshops (based on Nord G2) Advanced Programming Techniques for Modular Synthesizers cSounds.com Miller Puckette's Music Theory Physical Modeling on the Nord Modular G2 Collection of threads on Nord G2 Nord G2 workshops GENTLE GIANT AudioTuts

21st July 2009	#2
OurDarkness Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Thessaloniki, Greece Posts: 2,656	Here's another link for advanced synthesis techniques: Advanced Programming Techniques for Modular Synthesizers and here's possibly the Bible of synthesis: cSounds.com

30th July 2009	#3
the_man361 Gear addict Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Leeds - UK Posts: 407	i find miller puckette's theory and technique of electronic music to be one of the most useful writings for synth and electronic music.. free one anyway. curtis road's computer music tutorial (book) is very good too. heres puckette's paper: Miller Puckette

2nd August 2009	#4
Oli Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Perth Posts: 1,609	Hi, thanks for posting these links, and sorry for posting late to this thread. I don't spend a lot of time on this forum, and often turn up late. I have a G2, and frequent the electro-music forum. Rob Hordijk is very astute. I am an electronic engineer, and majored in communications theory, signal processing etc. From an engineering perspective, Rob Hordijk's synthesis observations and designs are very insightful, and also technologically very creative. He really gets it. His tutorials are fantastic, but he also posts some other great ideas in the threads at electro-music. It can be really easy to miss the crux of some of his ideas, which can use mathematical principles in rather creative ways. I think the members there who have stood out to me are: Rob Hordijk Roland Kuit Chet Singer Wout Blommers (very friendly, knowledgable, community oriented guy) There are a few other things I think worth looking at from there, pretty Nord Modular oriented, but contain many trasnferable principles. I think someone may have mentioned the Wizoo book on the Nord modular? I thought it was hosted online somewhere, though I haven't turned it up just now. Chet's physical modelling Some collected interesting threads Some workshops, maybe some replicated material here Roland Kuit's tutorial DVD I have to say that technologically, the Nord modulars are out dated these days. They are closed systems, with no further back end development. The current crop of VST modulars offer much greater flexibility for sound design. Analogue modulars also have much heartier sounding oscillators and filters. Kyma, and also synth oriented programming environments and languages, of course, are another step again. I think the Nord modular kit still has some good points though. Cheers, oli edit - should note, I have only skimmed through this material, not really examined it in depth yet

6th August 2009	#5
O.F.F. Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,216	A top*twenty synth list without this: GENTLE GIANT Sure it is unobtainable to mere mortals and it was listed in the Yamaha catalogue as a home organ but DAMN!!!

22nd August 2009	#6
Reptil Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: in a low orbit Posts: 18,445 1 Review written	this Buchla Manuals and this serge.html (scroll to resources)

25th December 2009	#9
e6400ultra Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nor*Cal Posts: 1,433	The original gear slutz. thumbsup Edit: I posted this when this thread was still titled "Pure Genius".

26th July 2010	#14
Catabolic Gear maniac Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 163	Machinedrum 32 Operator FM Synthesis Thought I'd share something the FM fans over here might find interesting. You might know the Machinedrum has an EFM machine which provides 2-op FM synthesis (maybe 3-op, the manual doesn't say the number). But, then one day it occurred to me that since it has 16 independently configurable oscillators and 16 modulators, it's actually capable of a very high number of simultaneous FM synthesis operators (32 total). Plus, it has a number of the modulator types that the TX81Z offers over the DX series. I'm still hanging on to my DX for old time's sake but once this occurred to me, the MD has been adding a lot into my FM palette. YouTube - Machinedrum 32 Op FM Synthesis Hope you enjoy the tutorial vid.

31st August 2010	#16
Jake Gear maniac Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 261	Several years ago Access put together a decent intro guide called "Programming Analog Synthesizers." Although it's geared towards the Virus a lot of the tips are applicable to any analog or VA synth. Access Music \| Support contact and resources

15th September 2010	#17
SSL-Baby Gear interested Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 22	came across this gem Synth Student

28th September 2010	#18
Don Solaris Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Church of Roland Posts: 4,115 4 Reviews written	Making Andromeda sound 'more vintage' GETTING MORE ANALOGUE TONE OUT OF THE ANDROMEDA SYNTHESIZER tags: alesis andromeda tuning a6 background analog Disable Background Tuning This will provide your Andromeda with more analog FAT sound, due to too perfect routine in Background tuning (which is enabled by default). Putting all oscillators on exactly the same frequency makes the unit a little bit sterile in sound. All the vintage analogs had imperfectly designed VCOs that would float slowly in pitch up and down on a miniature scale. With Background tuning enabled this free VCO float is killed and the Andromeda becomes more cold and DCO sounding. If you're analog purist, you should disable the Background tuning. Also, according to some sources, Background tuning eats some CPU power reducing the overall performance. This is the procedure on how to disable and perform the necessary auto-tune after that: Turn on Andromeda. Leave it on for about 30min so that the board reaches the "average" temperature. Disable Background tuning in the Auto Tune section. Now engage the auto tune (press Auto Tune button twice). From now on, your Andromeda should be stable in pitch after the board reaches the "average" temperature to which you calibrated voltages of each voice and filter. Once about a month you can do the Auto Tune routine. Temperature tuning If precise pitch is not critical in your track, for even more "analog" sound, you can disable Temperature tuning as well. However, disabling Temp tuning is not recommended if you do live gigs, as there's a big chance your Andy will be way off the rest of your setup or band, to the point you won't be able to compensate it with the Tune knob. So please keep in mind that playing this synth with disabled temperature tuning is risky (though it can be amusing if you're hard core 1970's analog fanatic). Set proper levels (the most crucial part of Andromeda!) While checking my Andromeda i found one interesting feature that was maybe intentionally implemented but which at the same time might confuse new owners. It has to do with pre filter signal levels. For some reason, if the combined level of two oscillators exceeds 30 or if one of them is set above 30, waveshape takes place, waveform becomes clipped (cut off) resulting in somehow plastic sound. A simple oscilloscope reveals this as well. Therefore, you should never set high VCO levels i.e. 100 unless you intentionally want this clipping (which is interesting at first, but somehow becomes annoying "plastic" sounding after a while). Some users found other stages of Andromeda to have similar behavior with excessive levels as well. We will summarize them all here: The pre filter mixer will overdrive with combined values exceeding total of 30 (i.e VCO1=15 VCO2=15; or VCO1=30 VCO2=0; should work good). The post filter mixer will do as well with values above 50. The VCA will overdrive with default level of 100. You should therefore set levels of volume envelope at 80-90 instead. This will also improve the envelope response (see below). ----- Original Message ----- Sent: Friday, December 20, 2002 4:06 AM Subject: Re: [A6] Andromeda tips[/I] >/ The pre filter mixer will overdrive with values about 30, />/ the post filter mixer will do as as well with values above 50 />/ the VCAs are also overdriven a the default level of 100 in ENV1. />/ Setting ENV1's level to 80 or below will give a clearer and brighter sound />/ Yes, this seems to be the case with what I found out on my side. I usually bring the sustain level on the VCA below 90, but ~80 seems to be where I get cleaner sounds. As I said in my previous message, I like staying away from what sounds like slurred attack rates by also dropping the attack level. It seems like the VCA with a setting of 100.5 in the attack stage, coupled with 100 in the sustain stage has no real 'punch'. I get good results with a 80-something sustain, and an attack level in the 90's... I think this might be the source of some of the confusion that people have had with sounds that aren't snappy on the A6. It sure was something that bothered me when I first started programming on this synth, but I have no problem with percussive/bass sounds now. I think it's more important to shape the envelopes carefully, then to default to using engine optimization automatically. Recommended download: Andromeda Tips and Tricks stikestike

1st October 2010	#19
SCSI Gear Head Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 31	FM synthesis Here's some links that will help people understand FM synthesis a bit more. The first one is written in very clear easy to understand language, the second is a bit more textbook like DUBBHISM: tao of fm http://www.sfu.ca/~truax/fmtut.html

30th October 2010	#20
Yoozer Lives for gear Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 6,534 1 Review written	Useful for the basics, saves me reposting them over and over again:

4th November 2010	#21
DarkPlasma Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,026	Willam Horne

9th December 2010	#22
Don Solaris Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Church of Roland Posts: 4,115 4 Reviews written	Roland JD 800 emulation on XV synthesizers tags: roland jd800 jd990 jd-800 xv-5080 5050 Starting with model JV-1080, some waveforms from the JD-800 were transferred into JV-1080. This process continued with XV series, to the point that all of 108 JD waveforms are now available in the XV synths - seems like 7 are missing but are more likely renamed. But that’s not all. What would be a JD without it’s special multi effect processor. That’s why Roland implemented JD’s "Effect processor A" into XV. In other words, you got a JD synth hidden inside your XV synth, and you can finally start converting favorite JD patches. There are some differences in the filter, but more on that later. I should just state that the 44.1k referenced samples points to models XV-5080 and XV-5050. I can not guarantee that model 3080 contains 44.1k playback engine at all, neither the samples in that format - it has been reported the machine is 32k. I can however guarantee than in 5080/5050 waveforms from the JD-800 are in original 44.1k format. Table below shows us internal memory content (waveforms) of the JD-800. Starting with ‘’001 Syn Saw 1′’, ending with ‘’108 Wind Chime'’. Position of these same waves inside XV synthesizer are marked with orange color. For example if you want to load Syn Pulse 4 that on JD is waveform number 008, on XV you will find it on number 557. JD-800 multi effect group A With the XV synthesizer, Roland also brought us back the famous JD-800 multi effect from its section A block (note: the JD has two effect sections). On XV series it is available as MFX number "75: JD MULTI". Just like on the JD-800, it allows distortion, phaser, spectrum and enhancer effects to be connected in series in any desired order. It features exactly the same settings as available on JD-800. Here is a brief explanation for each one of them. 1. Distortion The first effect in the chain is obvious - a standard distortion. This effect is useful in situations when you wish to add some drive to solos or do some nasty clipping effects depending on the sound design application. There are seven types of distortion available: MELLOW DRIVE: A soft, mellow distortion; somewhat darksounding. OVERDRIVE: The classic sound of an overdriven tube amp. CRY DRIVE: Distortion with a high-frequency boost. MELLOW DIST: Sounds like the distortion you’d get from a really big amp. LIGHT DIST: A distortion with an intense, brilliant feel. FAT DIST: Boosted lows and highs gives this one a thick, fat sound. FUZZ DIST: Like FAT DIST, but with even more distortion. 2. Phaser In typical phaser, modulation effect is created by mixing original sound with a phase shifted one. Result is a swirling effect and is best suited for backing sounds such as strings or electric pianos. Phaser will be most effective on sounds rich with harmonics, such as saw or pulse waves. Therefore it would be better to insert the phaser after the distortion or spectrum. For the best results, you should use center frequency at around 1 kHz. 3. Spectrum Spectrum is an effect that modifies sound by boosting or cutting specified frequency areas, resulting in different tone colors. This effect might look similar to an equalizer. However, the frequency of each band has been set at the optimal location for adding a distinctive character to the sound. Rather than correcting the sound, spectrum allows you to aggressively modify the tonal character. Spectrum will be best heard on spectral rich sounds such as white noise. There, the change will be most evident. For most expressive result use narrow bandwidth (set it to 5) and try setting all bands to max gain (positive or negative). When using wide bandwidth settings (set to 1) sound becomes less distinctive, and it starts to sound like an ordinary EQ. 4. Enhancer Enhancer is a sort of aural exciter type of effect. Can be effective for sharpening up the vocal types of patches, flutes, guitars, etc. It will really help the instrument (patch) stand out in the mix. Its function is to generate new overtones out of the fundamental ones. With sensitivity you can set the depth of enhancer effect. While with the mix parameter you are specifying the mixture of original sound and the newly created sound overtones. Effects setup on XV Image below shows us the real JD-800 effect processor routing. As you can see, effects group A is connected in both series and parallel to group B. Same thing can be done in XV. The only difference is that on XV there is no effects group B, but instead there is separate chorus and reverb/delay. Since they can be configured in series or parallel, you can think of them as "group B" with only difference that you can have either delay or reverb, but not both like on the JD. Image below shows us typical JD-800 effects setup emulated on XV. Chorus and reverb simulate JD’s "effect group B" while MFX: 75 JD Mlt provides "group A". In this example, group A is connected in series to group B. Inside group B we connected chorus and reverb in parallel (M+R), so that we get chorused signal out followed by reverb/delay (in this example i used Reverb 1, type: Delay). It is possible to have delay and reverb at the same time, but you will lose chorus. If this setup is required, just set chorus to type 2: delay (200-1000ms). Now you will have both delay and reverb. Filter conversion table Before starting to build or convert you first JD patches, keep in mind that JD and XV have different filter numerating system. For example, max resonance on JD is 100 while on XV is 127. Same is with the cutoff. For better conversion of your JD patches you will need this JD/XV cutoff and resonance conversion table.

12th December 2010	#23
disco judas Gear maniac Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 272	Curtis Roads : YouTube - Ep 1 - Motherboard - Granular Synthesis - Curtis Roads YouTube - Curtis Roads Part 2: Getting Granular YouTube - Curtis Roads Part 3: Build It Up

26th January 2011	#24
widdershins Gear Head Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 39	I have some free synthesis tutorials on Youtube: YouTube - soundsLogical's Channel which cover making various sounds, some of which have got rather popular. I cover stuff such as fx sounds, nice dubby chords, nice bass sounds and, er, obnoxious bass sounds. Whatever takes my fancy really. I also have a paid set of tutorials on Logic's ES2 here: Sound Guru - Logic Pro & Sound Design Tutorials Which are a bit more comprehensive, and serve as a good introduction to subtractive synthesis in general. The difference between these and (say) the MacProVideo tutes is that after explaining all of the synth's features, I go on to do 1 1/2 hours of synthesis workshop videos, which offer practical advice on making all kinds of sounds from scratch. I felt other video tutorial series were missing this "practical application" element, so I decided to make my own. (hope this is not considered spamming tutt )

26th January 2011	#25
Demokid Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Stockholm/Sweden Posts: 574	Found this youtube dude. Showing how to patch modular synth and test different modules: More of 7th Dan Black Belt modular synths videos: YouTube - 7thDanSound's Channel Kind regards Demokid __________________ Sizers: AndromedaA6,Casio CZ1,Elka Synthex(midi),Korg MS20,Minimoog ModelD(midi),Voyager AE,Prophet5 v3.31,ProOne,Prophet08 AE,Jupiter-8(midi),TeeBee MK3,Synthesizers.com Studio66, Yamaha CS30 Drums: Roland DDR30,R8m,DrumStationII Efx: Eventide H3000D/SE,Lexicon 200,Dynacord DPR20X,Symetrix 606,DeltaLab ADM1024,Korg SDD2000,Roland RE301,TKAudio DP1,Mu-Tron-II,MXR Phrase100,Biyang AD7,Sony MU-R201 DAW: SSL AlphaLink MADI AX,MX4,SoundscapeV6 Steinberg Cubase5.5

28th January 2011	#26
Jim Stout Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Denver Colorado Posts: 580	Produce Layered Claps & Snares « Music Production Tips \| Mixing Walkthrough Tricks \| How To Videos \| Free Samples Here's a fun one.

9th February 2011	#27
KRE8A Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Music Room Posts: 452	Waveforms

4th September 2011	#29
Don Solaris Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Church of Roland Posts: 4,115 4 Reviews written	------reserved-----

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