Same sound, two different softsynths
Level: Beginner
Platform: Ableton Operator, Kilohearts Phase Plant
Description: The basic format for emulating tonewheel organs like the Hammond B3. Adjustments can be made by changing the volume of the first eight harmonics.
Download Operator Preset: Watch+Learn_AbletonPreset_B3
Download Phase Plant Preset: Watch+Learn_PhasePlant_B3
Level: Beginner
Platform: Phase Plant
Description: Classic pad consisting of Piano layered with filtered sawtooth. Long releases with reverb added for fullness. Experiment with the sawtooth filter and envelope times.
Download Preset: Watch+Learn_PP_PianoPad
Level: Beginner
Platform: Ableton Operator
Description: Iconic analog string sound used in many R&B, new wave, synthwave, funk, soul, and disco tracks.
Download Preset: Watch+Learn_AbletonPreset_AnalogStrings
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Platform: Xfer Serum
Description: A simulation of the architecture and processing for the Roland TB-303, created using Serum.
Download Preset: Watch+Learn_SerumPreset_Acid303
The adventure begins…
Since last year’s free Serum pack was so well-received, I asked the students in my Synthesis 2 course (at Austin Community College) if they’d be interested in contributing a few sounds for the 2018 pack. There are some truly gifted designers at the school and I really wanted to highlight their talents.
Fortunately, many of them agreed - providing presets for each of the following categories: Bass, Pad, Lead, and Pluck.
With their full permission, I'm sharing the results as a free download for Serum fans. The pack consists of 25 presets covering a wide variety of genres and design approaches. I also included a bonus holiday preset of my own design, “Super Snowman”.
As with the last pack, the student’s name is included in each preset — but I’d also like to post an alphabetical list of the designers, to highlight their contributions. For this, several students also opted-in to include links to their social media.
Jay Alba
Siegen Bretzke
Daniel Buckingham
Jacob Cho
Ali Darwiche [Instagram]
Mike Stellman [Soundcloud]
Troy Umran [Instagram]
The pack is a free download that you can grab at the below link.
Download: Xfer Serum Preset Pack (Winter 2018)
Happy Holidays!
Back in the early ’70s, the Moog vs. ARP “war” was just as passionate as the Mac vs. PC debate is today. At the time, the Minimoog and ARP Odyssey were the two dominant mainstream monosynths. On the Moog side, the Mini offered three oscillators, Bob’s massive filter, and ease of use. On the ARP side, the duophonic Odyssey included lowpass and highpass filters, hard sync, ring mod, and incredibly sophisticated modulation resources.
Korg’s ARP Odyssey re-issues are available in a tabletop version, a module version, and the Odyssei app.
Even now, the classic Odyssey’s features are capable of textures that we normally associate with modular gear, which makes sense as the Odyssey was basically a slimmed-down version of the 2600—arguably the synth that first brought modular to the masses. So with Korg’s reissue of the Odyssey available in three formats (keyboard, module, and the Odyssei iOS app), my Music Radar masterclass takes a closer look at its vast capabilities, using the tabletop version as our frame of reference.
LINK: https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-the-korg-arp-odyssey
With the introduction of the TR-8S, Roland not only advanced the popular TR-8’s sequencing tools and iconic sound, but added sample import (via SD card) and expanded its editing features to a point where it truly is an instrument in its own right. Between performance-oriented patterns and sophisticated sound design amenities, you’ll get the most from this beast once you understand how to mold its sonic resources to match your artistic identity.
I'm also testing the waters for expanding this blog to include downloadable presets and examples for selected educational material. If you already own a TR-8S, below is a link to two original kits (with patterns) based on custom analog drum samples I created last month.
Master Class Link: https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-master-the-roland-tr-8s
Download the TR-8S kit/patterns [Instructions included]
Earlier this month, ADSR invited me to join them for a tour of Austin's Switched On Music, one of the nation's top vintage synth boutiques—and the original stomping grounds of Michael Stein (Stranger Things, S U R V I V E).
Here's the video, including some very rare and iconic synthesizers, as well as a visit to their humongous warehouse of classic instruments in the process of being lovingly restored.
When launching the Scapes project in August, I invited readers to offer insights into previous examples of synthesized environments and environmental recordings.
One of the responses startled me, as I certainly recall seeing the Environments album series at the library when I was a kid.
I say “startled” because in researching the enhanced field recordings of Irv Teibel, I discovered that he was also from Buffalo, NY, then later relocated to Austin, TX.
Synchronicity is curious stuff.
Here’s a link to the story of Teibel and his recordings:
http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-man-who-recorded-tamed-and-then-sold-nature-sounds-to-america
One of my biggest talks at the 2017 Ableton Loop conference was an in-depth studio session on the details of FM synthesis. Having designed presets for Operator since before it was released in 2004, I can honestly say that I have an intimate relationship with its capabilities.
This masterclass for Music Radar revisits some of the topics from my Loop session - and goes deep into the possibilities of this powerful FM and additive synth. Enjoy!
Link: https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/the-definitive-guide-on-how-to-use-operator-in-ableton-live
With Ableton’s annual Loop conference coming this weekend, it seems like a good time to revisit Thump’s impressive feature on the history of this iconic software company. [Full disclosure: I have three speaking engagements on sound design this year at Loop.]
The interview is long and fairly detailed, but Ableton’s story is truly fascinating. Whether you’re a Live user or just curious about how software is developed and evolves, it’s a great read.