This thread is for us to share our sound design tutorials with other DSF producers.
Hopefully this thread will be different from the 'how do I make this sound thread'. This will happen if people only offer step by step tutorials for cool sounds and sound design processes. If you have a request for a specific sound that you would like to achieve, post them in this dedicated thread instead ---> http://www.dubstepforum.com/topic91539.html So, sound design tutorials only please!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll kick off by offering a very easy tutorial on synthesising the sound of electricity.
Building the Basic Tone
0> You'll need a synth that has at least three LFO's. You need to be able to modulate the speed of one LFO with another LFO, so many simpler synths won't suffice. I'm using Vember Audio Surge for this example, but the same effect can easily be achieved using other synths/programs such as NI Massive, Z3ta + or Reason.
1> Loop a long note playing C2 on your sequencers piano roll. Leave the note looping so you can hear a constant tone.
2> Set the oscillator to square wave.
3> Route the signal through a filter and set the filter to notch (band reject).
---------------------------
Setting the LFO's
4> Tie LFO 1 to the filter cut-off.
5> Set the LFO modulation shape to a square wave.
6> Set the modulation rate (LFO speed) for LFO 1 to its fastest setting (or near it's fastest setting). The sound should now be distorting slightly.
7> Assign LFO 2 to modulate the rate of LFO 1.
8> Set the modulation waveshape for LFO 2 to noise. (Your synth may call it random/sample & hold or something else). If you do use a sample & hold waveshape, you may wish to add smoothing to it if your synth has such a control.
9> Set the modulation rate for LFO 2 to a medium to slow speed.
10> Assign LFO 3 to modulate the modulation rate of LFO 2.
11> Use a sample & hold waveshape for LFO 3. This should output random CV signals in steps. (A noise waveshape outputs random yet smooth CV signals. Think of a noise waveshape as being like a sine wave, while a sample & hold waveshape as a sqaure wave).
12> Set the modulation rate on LFO 3 to a medium slow setting.
---------------------------
Applying the Finishing Touches
13> Route the audio through a second filter.
14> Set filter 2 to high pass.
15> Tune the cut-off point on the second filter to remove most low freqency content from the signal.
16> Route the audio through a reverb.
17> Set the reverb size to a very very small setting.
By now you should have a convincing electricity sound going.
---------------------------
Some Possible Variations
A> Add any type of waveshaping or distortion before filter 2.
B> Add a second oscillator playing a saw wave one or two octaves above oscillator 1. Set the second oscillators volume to about two thirds of the volume of osc 1.
C> Turn up the feedback or decay time on the reverb.
D> Change the filter cut-off point on either filter.
Enjoy!
------------------------------------------------------
Here are a few examples of the sound. Each sample was created using an alternative synth to demonstrate that the technique is possible with any decent synth.
A> Made with Surge ---> http://www.mediafire.com/?jnzizqyzyez
B> Made with Subtractor ---> http://www.mediafire.com/?tjmyi3nmjmc
C> Made with Subtractor ---> http://www.mediafire.com/?kdnx0nzghzr
D> Made with Oatmeal ---> http://www.mediafire.com/?z2ezyn0nfoy
------------------------------------------------------
Feel free to also share your sound design tutorials for our shared learning!
Pat
