Francis Preve

Sound designer. Producer. Professor. Journalist. Author.

Filtering by Category: Tutorials

Watch + Learn: 808 Kick Bass (Universal)

May 18, 2020  /  Francis Preve

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

categories / Ableton Live, Free Download, Preset Packs, Sound Design, Tutorials, YouTube, Watch+Learn

Watch + Learn: Supersaw (Universal)

April 27, 2020  /  Francis Preve

Supersaw starting points on four different softsynths: Serum, Phase Plant, Operator, and Wavetable.

Level: Beginner

Platform: Xfer Serum, Ableton Operator, Kilohearts Phase Plant, Ableton Wavetable

Description: The starting point for creating Supersaw chord stabs. Filter and effects are areas for customization.

Download Serum Supersaw: Watch+Learn_SerumPreset_Supersaw

Download Operator and Wavetable Supersaw: Watch+Learn_AbletonPresets_Supersaw

Download Phase Plant Supersaw: Watch+Learn_PP_Supersaw

categories / YouTube, Tutorials, Sound Design, Education, Ableton Live
tags / Watch+Learn, Xfer Serum, Kilohearts Phase Plant

Watch + Learn: Tonewheel Organ (Operator, Phase Plant)

April 23, 2020  /  Francis Preve

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

categories / YouTube, Tutorials, Sound Design, Education
tags / Watch & Learn, Watch+Learn

Master Class: Arturia MiniBrute 2

March 18, 2020  /  Francis Preve

In this Music Radar masterclass, we’ll look at some interesting sounds you can create using the MiniBrute 2’s patchbay. But first, we’ll look at ways to overcome a few of the instrument’s idiosyncrasies.

For example, the MiniBrute 2 lacks a dedicated mult/splitter, making it impossible to route certain modulation sources to multiple destinations—a requirement that is a staple of many common sounds—without additional gear. A simple fix is to use a stackable 3.5mm cable, such as the Tiptop Audio Stackcable or the Modular Addict Stacking Eurorack Patch Cable.

Despite lacking a few features from the first Mini-Brute (such as the sub-oscillator), the MiniBrute 2 has a  more advanced set of synthesis tools. Recreating familiar patches from the original model, however, requires an altered approach. This tutorial covers the essentials for configuring both the sounds of the original and a few iconic analog standards.

Link: https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-master-the-arturia-minibrute-2

categories / Sound Design, Tutorials, Production, Hardware Tips, Analog
tags / Master Class