A hardware sequencer is not a necessity when it comes to creating unique sequences. Today, many years after their discovery, analog hardware is still appreciated by many lovers of music. Filters and oscillators on the other hand are usually used to imitate sounds from ancient music instruments. Read the modular synthesizer’s beginner tutorial.
A lot of effort goes into creating or even recreating sounds apart from just choosing notes.
Below is a comprehensive tutorial on how to execute the procedure appropriately.
Required Tools
- A digital work station which can perform MIDI sequencing
- A legato with a voice mode
- A portamento
- A synthesizer which has a glide can be used instead of the portamento
In this case, one can choose to use a software imitation of the Nord lead classic 2 such as the Discovery DSPs synth. Users can also opt for other synthesizers of their choice. Consider selecting one that comes with an inbuilt delay and overdrive or distortion. Individuals whose synths lack these characteristics can achieve them by adding plug ins.
Sound
The sound should be founded on a square wave oscillator or an independent saw.
This tutorial seeks to recreate a classic acid machine sound by the name of Roland TB-303. While the original sound may not be achievable, it is likely to exemplify an acid edge if careful consideration is put in place during the sound creation.
The sound should be founded on a square wave oscillator or an independent saw. This will subsequently be run through a decay envelope and a low pass resonant filter. Using a single legato voicing mode will aid the generation of a classic acid glide. The portamento can also be used in collaboration with the legato to produce overlapped midi notes.
The final step involves inclusion of unison, distortion, decay, and phaser.
Oscillator And Fundamental Sequence
The ancient TB-303 enabled users to choose between a square wave oscillator and a saw. In order to maintain the originality, users can use a single saw wave.
The fact that the 303 only generated a single voice does not limit users from doubling up to generate a thick sound.
At this point the single oscillator design is playing which makes way for the subsequent step.
Incorporating Glide Effects
When creating a sequence, it is important to execute this step with utmost care. The glide effects offers acid machines a unique character. So important are these effects such that the glide effect remains active in almost all synth patches which come with a portamento feature.
However, in this case users can ignore that effect because the main objective is to get particular programmable gliding notes. This means that individuals have to opt for a synthesizer which has the legato mode available in the voicing category.
The glide effects offers acid machines a unique character.
Envelopes And Filters
Now that the sequence is playing effectively, it is time to utilize a low pass resonant filter to give it an extra edge. A dedicated envelope filter also comes in handy and goes hand in hand with decay set up at release and low sustain. This gives each note both patch movement and dynamics.
Incorporating Extra Effects
The final step involves incorporating extra effects as desired.