Programming the Oberheim OB-X8

After programming it for a month (and comparing it to other analog gear in my rig), I can confirm that the Oberheim OB-X8 is a truly fantastic beast with an incredibly specific sound, much like last year’s spot-on reissue of the original Prophets 5 and 10.

When I first fired it up, I was startled by how much it instantly evoked the sound of artists who relied on it for multiple hits. Sure, Van Halen’s “Jump” brass sound is a trademark of the OB series, but it’s also the sound of Prince and Jam & Lewis (aka The Minneapolis Sound), as well as a striking number of UK synthwave artists from the early 80s. The Thompson Twins, Depeche Mode, Simple Minds, along with art-wave pioneers Japan and Ultravox, all used Oberheims in crafting their early records—and it’s astonishing how much these instruments influenced the sound of vintage synthwave. Familiar sounds practically fall out of the unit with minimal effort.

And thanks to Tom Oberheim, Marcus Ryle, and Dave Smith, the sound is… huge.

More here: https://cdm.link/2022/05/hands-on-tour-of-the-oberheim-ob-x8-architecture-feature-by-feature-with-francis-preve/

Tech Glossary for Audio and Synths

Once upon a time (ok, it was actually 2009), Resident Advisor hired me to create an extensive glossary of synthesis and audio production terms.

I intentionally designed it to be universal, as I’d hoped it would stand the test of time.

Over ten years later, the glossary is still online and still 100% relevant to learning synths and DAWs.

Here’s the link. It’s worth bookmarking as a handy reference for both pros and beginners.

Link: https://ra.co/features/1219

Downloadable Guide To Synthesis

For most of 2020, I wrote my fourth book on electronic production. This time, the topic was a complete guide to learning the essentials of analog synthesis, using the free (and insanely popular) synth for iOS/Mac: AudioKit Synth One.

The book is also free on Apple Books—and Synth One now contains a set of presets that were created to demonstrate the techniques in the book. Again, both are free, so if you’re on an iPhone/iPad, you can use these to get started on designing your own presets. And I’m now using this book as part of my curriculum as a professor at Austin Community College.

For those on Windows/Android, the book is also available as a PDF (without the Apple interactivity) and the lessons apply synths of all kinds. Links for everything below.

AudioKit Synth One: The Ultimate Guide (Apple Books)

AudioKit Synth One: The Ultimate Guide (PDF)

AudioKit Synth One (Free iOS synth - App Store)

Ultimate Guide to Ultimate Guides

After 20 years of writing tutorials and masterclasses for Electronic Musician, Keyboard, and Music Radar, I’ve posted a lot of instructional content since I redid this site in 2017. To make the blog easier to navigate for new visitors, I’ve collected all of my Music Radar and Electronic Musician guides into a single directory post.

Below are direct links to each of the masterclasses on my blog, some of which include downloadable presets and examples. Have at it!

• Master Class: Ableton Operator

• Master Class: Roland TR-8S

• Master Class: Vocoders

• Master Class: The Minimoog Paradigm

• Master Class: Korg/ARP Odyssey

• Master Class: Analog Drum Design

• Master Class: Korg Gadget

• Master Class: DSI OB-6

• Master Class: Arturia MiniBrute 2

• Master Class: Korg Prologue

• Master Class: Novation Peak

Korg OpSix Tips + Tricks

I spent much of 2020 designing presets for the Korg OpSix, so in 2021, Korg asked me to do a short series of Patch Of The Week tutorials for creating your own original sounds on this synth.

This playlist on my YouTube channel contains all five tutorials, ranging from beginner tips to recreating famous sounds like the DX-100 “Solid Bass”.

Inside KORG’s Modwave

Here’s my take on what it’s like to design for Korg’s new Modwave digital synth. Incredibly deep instrument. Worth your attention.

Link: https://cdm.link/2021/01/inside-korgs-modwave-sound-design-tips-for-this-upcoming-wavetable-synth/

Six Serum Secret Handshakes

Here’s a quick tutorial on Pro Tips for making the most of Serum’s direct entry and key command functions.

Link: https://cdm.link/2021/01/serum-sound-tricks-to-explore-just-by-double-clicking-with-francis-preve/

Master Class: Analog Drum Design

In this Music Radar tutorial, I’ll examine the structure and components of classic analog drum sounds. Nowadays, these percussion instruments can be created with nearly any full-featured softsynth—including Ableton Operator, Xfer Serum, or Reason’s Thor and Subtractor—but the underlying principles are identical. That said, the tonal identity of any given synth—hardware or software—will define the sonic flavor of a bespoke drum kit.

LINK: https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-recreate-classic-analogue-drum-sounds-in-your-daw-and-with-hardware

Watch + Learn: Motion Wavetable (Phase Plant)

Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Platform: Kilohearts Phase Plant

Description: Dual synchronized LFO wavetable sweeps with reverb. Excellent starting point for complex layered pads.

Download Link to Preset: Watch+Learn_PhasePlant_MotionWavetable

Watch+Learn: Index 1 (2020.05.22)

Now that we’ve had over a month of Watch+Learn, it’s time to put together an index of these tutorials and presets.

Below is a direct link to the YouTube playlist for subscribing.

Here are all the tutorials and presets as of May 22, 2020.

• Watch + Learn: Motion Wavetable (Phase Plant)

• Watch + Learn: House Bass 1 (Multi)

• Watch + Learn: 808 Kick Bass (Universal)

• Watch + Learn: West Coast Lead (Serum)

• Watch + Learn: Big Fifth (Serum)

• Watch + Learn: 3 Over 4 Fifth (Phase Plant)

• Watch + Learn: Superpluck (Serum)

• Watch + Learn: DX Marimba (Operator)

• Watch + Learn: Supersaw (Universal)

• Watch + Learn: Tonewheel Organ (Multi)

• Watch + Learn: Piano Pad (Phase Plant)

• Watch + Learn: Analog Strings (Operator)

• Watch + Learn: Acid 303 (Serum)

• Watch + Learn: About The Series

Watch + Learn: House Bass 1 (Multiple)

House bass created using Operator and Phase Plant

Level: Intermediate

Platform: Ableton Operator, Kilohearts Phase Plant

Description: The “knocking” House bass sound that’s often used in Tech House, Future House, and Classic House.

Download Link to Preset:
Watch+Learn_AbletonPreset_HouseBass1

Download Link to Preset:
Watch+Learn_PhasePlant_HouseBass1

Watch + Learn: 808 Kick Bass (Universal)

808 Kick Bass starting points on three different softsynths: Serum, Phase Plant, and Operator.
[Note: Very low frequency content. Headphones or monitors required.]

Level: Beginner

Platforms: Ableton Operator, Xfer Serum, Kilohearts Phase Plant

Description: Recreation of the Roland TR-808 Kick Bass sound using multiple platforms. Additional customization with overdrive and distortion should be added by the user.

Download Ableton Operator 808 Kick Bass:
Watch+Learn_AbletonPreset_808KickBass

Download Xfer Serum 808 Kick Bass:
Watch+Learn_SerumPreset_808KickBass

Download Kilohearts Phase Plant 808 Kick Bass:
Watch+Learn_PhasePlant_808KickBass