Help me make ambient, evolving pads with an an analogue synthesizer
February 22, 2016 5:53 AM Subscribe
I am new to synthesis. I just purchased a Korg minilogue.
I understand the components by themselves but I don't know a lot about how they interact with each other. It seems I’m just twisting knobs hoping something will work. I’m getting a lot of edginess/harshness (more inside)
I’m trying to make softer sounds, ambient pads that feel like floating.
Are there any resources available to show me how to do this or more generally a sort of cookbook that shows the results of various components interacting with each other.
Right now I feel like I have too many variables at work.
Thanks from a newbie.
I’m trying to make softer sounds, ambient pads that feel like floating.
Are there any resources available to show me how to do this or more generally a sort of cookbook that shows the results of various components interacting with each other.
Right now I feel like I have too many variables at work.
Thanks from a newbie.
Best answer: I've not used or seen a minilogue but a few general tips below that you can try.
Turn the filter knob down to take out the harsh (upper) frequencies. Turn resonance down. Turn UP the Attack and Release controls on both envelopes (Amp EG and EG). This will let the volume and filter build up slowly as you hold keys down and fade out slowly when you release them. Turn down Noise if it's up (can be source of harshness). The shape controls for both VCOs can also help reduce harshness. You want to lean away from square and towards sine if that makes sense. Sine waves are round and smooth, much like the sound you are desiring.
Step through all the presets tapping keys. There may be a floaty, ambient pad preset already made that can give you a good starting point.
Finally, as a veteran of many hours of happy knob twisting I will also encourage you to exploit and enjoy your lack of knowledge. A new piece of gear that you don't really know how to control can be a very rewarding experience. Once you know how it all works there's much less of a process of innocent discovery.
Have fun! It looks like an awesome instrument.
posted by erebora at 6:54 AM on February 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
Turn the filter knob down to take out the harsh (upper) frequencies. Turn resonance down. Turn UP the Attack and Release controls on both envelopes (Amp EG and EG). This will let the volume and filter build up slowly as you hold keys down and fade out slowly when you release them. Turn down Noise if it's up (can be source of harshness). The shape controls for both VCOs can also help reduce harshness. You want to lean away from square and towards sine if that makes sense. Sine waves are round and smooth, much like the sound you are desiring.
Step through all the presets tapping keys. There may be a floaty, ambient pad preset already made that can give you a good starting point.
Finally, as a veteran of many hours of happy knob twisting I will also encourage you to exploit and enjoy your lack of knowledge. A new piece of gear that you don't really know how to control can be a very rewarding experience. Once you know how it all works there's much less of a process of innocent discovery.
Have fun! It looks like an awesome instrument.
posted by erebora at 6:54 AM on February 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by gyusan at 6:24 AM on February 22, 2016 [1 favorite]