| Sonik Synth™ 2 tutorial #1 Using Sonik Synth™ 2 as a virtual analog synthesizer |
| Sonik Synth 2 features a large set of element presets. These elements are basic waveforms that are used to create new sounds with the powerful
synth engine of Sonik Synth 2. The idea is to take the legendary waveforms of classic synths and create your own new synths using the built-in
synth parameters, analog modeled filters, and virtual modeled effects, thus turning Sonik Synth 2 into one of the most elaborate and unique virtual
analog software synths ever. Sonik Synth 2 is not a copy of one vintage analog synth, but rather a massive collection of sampled analog, digital,
and acoustic waveforms packed into a totally innovative and original synthesis system. So, create your own Moog® style 3 oscillator mono-synth,
or go nuts and create a 16 oscillator mono-monster or a massive 8 part ever-changing, ever-moving pad! It is that flexible and easy to use. In
this tutorial we will create a Bass Synth sound using 2 Moog Saw waves. First load 2 instances of the Mg Saw preset onto PART 1 and PART 2 [pict. 01]. We will begin by editing part one. Just a reminder, when you are following this tutorial, it is a good idea to play the sound as you make the changes. After all, it is a tutorial. This will help you get accustomed to the synth parameters and when you want to make your own sounds you’ll be familiar with the way the parameters effect the sound. On Part 1, change the preset to monophonic by clicking the MONO button to the lower left hand side of the synth parameters panel [pict. 02]. This allows the sound to be triggered like a traditional analog bass synth. Now, click on The FILTER synth edit button. Change the parameters to the following: SLOPE: 24 FREQ: 1.6 kHz RES: 0.6 Once you’ve made the changes to the FILTER, click the ENV1 button [pict. 03]. Change the parameters as follows: ATTACK: 0 ms HOLD: 566 ms DECAY: 2.7 sec SUSTAIN: -100 dB RELEASE: 70 ms This envelope affects the volume. So the bass sound will be a short punchy attack and moderately fast decay. Select the ENV2 button and set this envelope to sweep the filter frequency [pict. 04]. I have set this envelope to invert which simply means that instead of the opening up the cutoff frequency of the filter from low to high, the envelope will make the cut off frequency move from high to low. Set the envelope to the following: ATTACK: 352 ms HOLD: 0 DECAY: 2.7 sec SUSTAIN: -100 RELEASE :2 sec FILTER: -10 Open the LFO1 parameters and create a little vibrato with the use of the mod wheel [pict. 05]. Change the settings to: WAVE: Triangle SPEED: 5.6 Hz DEPTH: 11 PITCH: 9.4 By itself this is a nice bass sound, but that’s not the end [pict. 06]. On PART 2 we need to make the same changes: LFO1 WAVE – Triangle SPEED – 5.6 Hz DEPTH – 11 PITCH – 9.4 ENV1 ATTACK - 0 ms HOLD - 566 ms DECAY - 2.7 sec SUSTAIN - -100 dB RELEASE - 70 ms ENV2 ATTACK – 352 ms HOLD – 0 DECAY – 2.7 sec SUSTAIN – -100 RELEASE – 2 sec FILTER – -10 FILTER SLOPE – 24 FREQ - 1.6 kHz RES - 0.6 Now the 2 sounds should sound the same. In order to play them together, change the (Ch.) midi channel on PART 2 to 1 by click dragging the Ch. number down. The 2 sounds trigger together. One last thing… Change the OCT button on PART 2 to +1. This will create an Octave sound and really add some dimension. Once this sound is created, it can be stored in Sonik Synth 2 Free as a COMBI Preset. Simply click the SAVE button at the bottom of the MIXER view. Name the new preset and recall this sound from the Combi menu (the black triangle) at the top center of the interface. In the full version of Sonik Synth 2, each of these part presets can also be saved, allowing us to use these individual sounds in other layered or multi-timbral setups. Experiment with this virtual analog synthesis technique for sound creation. As you can see this is a very simple bass Combi Preset. There are much more elaborate presets that can be created. Don’t be afraid to check out the DSP effects as well. The modeled filters, EQ’s and distortion effects can really turn a mellow preset into a whole new snarling, growling animal! |
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