[net.music.synth] Secrets of synthesis

ins_adjb@jhunix.UUCP (Daniel Jay Barrett) (11/27/85)

I would like to propose a topic for discussion on this network.  (Being
a relatively new user, I do not know if this topic has "made the rounds"
recently, but here goes!)

How about if everybody shares his/her "secrets" of creating the best
synth sounds?  I don't mean trading patches, but just general "tricks"
that we have no doubt developed over our many collective years of
synthing.

For instance (very basic example):  "To get the initial "spurt" of a
   brass instrument, give a quick, short pitch-bend by modulating 
   your VCO pitch with an envelope generator.  Good results are 
   achieved if you bend VCO1 up and VCO2 down, both landing on
   the same final pitch."

Or (more advanced):  "When imitating a guitar, give your pitch-bend
   wheel a range of an octave or more, and then quantize the pitch-bend
   into half-steps.  Now, when you play a note/chord and bend the pitch
   downward, you get the sound of the guitarist's fingers sliding down
   the guitar neck, hitting each fret individually."

Or:  "The best digital sampling is done under a full moon, with your
   hip pockets full of wombat doo."

Or whatever!  I think this exchange of general hints can be nothing
but beneficial.  Anyone game?

-- 
Daniel J. Barrett
Dept. of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD  21218