Synth Filters or External Filters

[motox2121]

When you guys are synthesizing your wobbles, what workflow method do you use? Do you use the built-in filters in your synth modulated by the built-in LFO? Or do you generate your waveforms etc only in your synth and use an external filter to wob after your synth in the chain? You obviously gain some flexibility and options when using an external filter plugin.

Also, do you leave the raw waveform there and just automate the LFO rate over time? Or do you sample a bunch of seperate sounds with different LFO rates - chopping them up / arranging each one as a seperate sound to create that varied bassline.

I just hate how in ableton massive's sync rate always shows up as a percentage of the original setting in the automation lane instead of displaying the actual sync value. It's not that big of a deal but it would be much more precise to not have to guess and check. I may move to an external filter if that's the preferred method.

[bigdaveo11]

If you havent checked it out already WOW filter is awesome as well as tone2 bifilter. I use those often

[Static D0gma]

I don't always automate my basslines, but when I do, I use the built-in LFO.


Because I'm a lazy tnuc.

[Eat Bass]

depends on the sound im going for. i usually do subtle movement within the synth and do wobs in wow filter.

[Huts]

If I'm just doing a simple wobble I'll do it inside the VST and duplicate different speeds. Any other filter automation I use external filters (unless i'm using massive's performer)

[narcissus]

automate automate automate. sometimes LFO for a very basic background sound. hint: i automate volume WAY more often than filter frequency. well maybe not THAT much more, but more


motox, it seems like you know what to do and what you're options are to some extent. so just use whatever method seems most practical/easiest/best sounding for EACH sound, there's no reason you should have to stick to one if you are more versatile when using many. you may, as the months and years go by, find yourself gravitating towards certain techniques, and that is when you will know what the preferred method is.
cuz it really doesn't matter what our 'preferred method' is, just like how Party Rock Anthem was the most popular song in the world for a while... jeez.
i know you wanted ideas and opinions and that's fine but you gotta follow your heart maaang

[motox2121]

automate automate automate. sometimes LFO for a very basic background sound. hint: i automate volume WAY more often than filter frequency. well maybe not THAT much more, but more


motox, it seems like you know what to do and what you're options are to some extent. so just use whatever method seems most practical/easiest/best sounding for EACH sound, there's no reason you should have to stick to one if you are more versatile when using many. you may, as the months and years go by, find yourself gravitating towards certain techniques, and that is when you will know what the preferred method is.
cuz it really doesn't matter what our 'preferred method' is, just like how Party Rock Anthem was the most popular song in the world for a while... jeez.
i know you wanted ideas and opinions and that's fine but you gotta follow your heart maaang

thanks buddy, yeah i'm already comfortable using these methods but I just havent experimented that much with different types of external filters I've only messed with the built-in synth filters and ableton's auto filter. I've used fabfilter and WOW filter before in the past and I remember wow filter fattening things up nicely with the env follower etc. It's also nice that you can add multiple filters for notch filter sweeps etc. to get a lot of movement.

[motox2121]

Also, another thing related to this discussion:

If using the built in filters when layering sub-bass /mid-bass/ high-end on your wobbles you will have to duplicate filter mod envelopes for each layer so that everything syncs up. If using an external filter you can just bus all of the layers together and filter that bus one time, which seems a lot simpler unless you need to have seperate control for each sound.