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lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 1:59 pm
by TheHuman
Hey I thought it would be cool if we discussed sound design and synthesis and get everyone odd of useing presets and patches and start makeing our own sound and help everyone start to develop their own origional sound! Doesn't matter what synth you use all the techniques and terms apply because synthesis is synthesis. First I thought we could cover the basics? Like how to create a pad/reese/gated sounds/riser/soundscapes ect.. ok! Who's first lol

Re: lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 4:43 pm
by Eridu
dont get me wrong, but how old are you? (no pedo)

Re: lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 4:46 pm
by ctang
Better yet, what planet are you from.

Re: lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 4:48 pm
by lyons238
i like the thread idea. ill check back, hopefully some people post some useful stuff ^_^

Re: lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 4:52 pm
by Eridu
lyons238 wrote:i like the thread idea. ill check back, hopefully some people post some useful stuff ^_^
this whole forum is full of exactly the stuff he said he wants discussed. You just need to search, read and organize the info you find yourself.

Re: lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 4:59 pm
by Lethal_Dose
sine wave lfo cutoff :corndance: :cornlol:

Re: lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 5:05 pm
by wub
TheHuman wrote: Like how to create a pad/reese/gated sounds/riser/soundscapes ect.. ok! Who's first lol
White Noise Sweep in FL

- Load up a noise generating synth, like 3xOsc in FL
- Draw a long note in the piano roll, and then draw the pattern into the playlist
- Route the output through a mixer channel and put an instance of Fruity Filter on it
- Automate the filter (Right Click > Create Automation Clip) to gradually open itself up over the course of the playlist, imagine the automation line going diagonally from bottom left to top right
- Export and save somewhere for future use


Once you've got the hang of that, try some variations. Swap the white noise for a pad preset, or a bass note. Swap the filter for a reverb or a delay. Vary the automation so that some parameters are gradually opening or closing. Have multiple automations going on, longer notes, different note patterns etc etc. Experiment. Export everything to WAV file and save it somewhere. Listen back the next day. Laugh. Delete anything that sounds shit. Practice.

For further reading, have a look at these DSF threads;

Getting Your Head Around FM Synthesis. - http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=193998
Holy mother shit (make robotic basslines and shit) - http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=193561
How to Improve at Synthesis and Sound Design - http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=153739
Synthesis Tutorials - http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=155864
Great beginners introduction to synthesis - http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=169108
Sampling vs synthesis - http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=175313
drone synthesis/sources - http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=178240
wavetable synthesis - http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=183687
Thoughts on FM8 synthesis - http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=188060
What would be your perfect synthesis method? - http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=189103
for anyone wanting to learn basics of FM synthesis... - http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=190713
Percussion Synthesis - http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=192485
The secrets of synthesis - http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=193145


Some of this might seem a bit over your head if you're just getting started, fair play. But read everything, watch the videos follow the links read the articles etc etc and try out what you can. It's a lot of trial & error and you need to put the work in.

Re: lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 5:08 pm
by Eridu
or have someone else do it for you.

Re: lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:45 pm
by Wrigzilla
Eridu wrote:or have someone else do it for you.
Do a Goldie right?

Re: lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 7:42 pm
by AfterEmpire
I really like the idea of this thread, if that is folks who know some things could actually chat a bit about synthesis and their own methodology instead of just saying :u: use the search lmao.

Me personally, I just play around with stuff until i end up doing something that sounds good, I try not to think too hard about what other ppl have done cuz usually when i try and recreate a sound it winds up nothing like what its sposed to be lol.

As far as your Basic Reese Goes:

Load up your favorite synth and on turn on two oscillators

Choose Saw Wave for both.

Detune one by anywhere from +8 to +25 cents and to the other saw wave do that same amount of detuning but this time minus 8 to 25

now u got ur standard reese.

What i like to do to change this up is (and i use albino) bounce the audio out to a wave and re-insert it as an audio-in signal and use it to apply frequency or amplitude modulation to the same type of wave forms or even one thats completely different.

Compress, throw a flux interrupter on it at a VERY dry setting, maybe a flanger or chorus (both very dry) and re bounce.

Maybe even, i dunno LFO the filter cutoff? Just to be real original :cornlol:

honestly tho, while this type of stuff can sound like crap until fine tuned, it can and will lead to new sounds that the ppl of tomorrow will scratch their heads and wonder about instead of just saying, detune two saw waves . Automate the filter cutoff. Put a donk on it.

Re: lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 8:01 pm
by Dystinkt
Somebody recently posted a thread on the forum on how to make a datsik style robot bass from a distorted snare, was actually a pretty good tip tbh.

Re: lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 8:04 pm
by AfterEmpire
Link?

Re: lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 8:08 pm
by AfterEmpire
LOL NM just found it in the post above by wub.

Re: lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 8:10 pm
by Dystinkt
didnt see it in wubs post there, iv started experimenting with that tip and got some really good sounds from it.

Re: lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 8:13 pm
by tavravlavish
Wrigzilla wrote:
Eridu wrote:or have someone else do it for you.
Do a Goldie right?
hahah I cant bleive tha tshit

Re: lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 8:23 pm
by ChadDub
I was afraid to make this thread myself because I thought there were going to be nothing but losers going "use search", which this thread has gotten a couple, but not nearly the amount I was expecting.

I'm glad to see this thread pop up and I'll def use it a lot, to help, and to be helped. Right now, I mainly use FL's 3xOSC, it's my favorite synth right now and great for learning on, so I'll post some help regarding that, and basic synthesis. Later, that is :P

Also, it'd be nice to see some peeps talk about drums, you know, like how to get a certain noise, like a punchy snare (dubstep esque), or a thumpy kick. Whatever. Because I have no idea how to do drums yet.

Re: lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 9:17 pm
by Eridu
Wrigzilla wrote:
Eridu wrote:or have someone else do it for you.
Do a Goldie right?
wait.. you didnt mean this guy? Image

Re: lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 9:35 pm
by deadly_habit
i'd rather discuss the awesome sound design in movies and games that immerses the users in the experience


like playing this with headphones in the late hours of night/early hours of the morning
it's amazing from a sound design point all the lil nuances and details going on if you pay attention (which get lost as they should on the average person)

Re: lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 9:46 pm
by ChadDub
Yeah, I'd really like to know how movie sound designers make all of those amazing sounds, like just anything that happens hits you in the chest.

Re: lets talk sound design/synthesis

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 10:27 pm
by jaimelee
deadly habit wrote:i'd rather discuss the awesome sound design in movies and games that immerses the users in the experience


like playing this with headphones in the late hours of night/early hours of the morning
it's amazing from a sound design point all the lil nuances and details going on if you pay attention (which get lost as they should on the average person)
How far are you into this?
I'm still at the bit with the Cogs and pressure valves, completely enveloped by the feeling it gives off.