MS-20EX drone example

Steve Pavao · Post by **Steve Pavao** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:09 am

Here's a simple way to make a big-sounding, slowly-evolving drone using MS-20EX. If you like Fripp & Eno, you will probably like this. I provide the parameter edits rather than a PCG, to encourage programming sounds and learning. This is something OASYS owners can also try.

1. In Program mode, select an Init EXi Program
2. Set Common --> Basic/Vector --> Program Basic --> EXi1 Instrument Type to MS-20EX
3. Change the following parameters (leave all other parameters unchanged):

On the OSC & Filter page

VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR 1
Waveform: PWM
PW: 8.20

VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR 2
Scale: 8'

VCO MIXER
VCO1 Level: 5.90
VCO2 Level: 6.00

VOLTAGE CONTROLLED HIGHPASS FILTER
Cutoff Frequency (HPF Cutoff): 4.85
AMS: LF01
Intensity: +00.60
HPF Peak: 7.40

VOLTAGE CONTROLLED LOWPASS FILTER
Cutoff Frequency (LPF Cutoff): 5.00
AMS LF02
Intensity: -00.65
LPF Peak: 7.00

CUTOFF FREQUENCY MODULATION (the one directly below the lowpass filter)
EG2 /EXT (LPF FREQUENCY MODULATION - LPF EG 2/EXT): 0

On the MG, EG, & Mod page

ENVELOPE GENERATOR 2
Attack Time: 4.80
Decay Time: 4.50
Sustain Level: 7.80
Release Time: 10.00

On the LFO pages:

LFO1
Frequency: 05

LFO2
Frequency: 03

While holding down the sustain pedal, gently hit a typical C chord using two hands (C octaves on the left hand, C triad on the right hand), as if playing a regular piano sound. Play the chord again gently. Keep holding the sustain pedal down for a minute or more, not letting up on it.

At this point, you will hear a slowly-evolving drone that sounds something like Frippertronics. Here's an example of how it sounds (but remember it sounds less good on SoundCloud):

<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=htt ... "></iframe>

4. If you wish, while the drone is still playing, press Play-->Control Surface tab. Then Press the Tone Adj tab on the left. Use knobs 3, 4, 6, and 7 to control the LPF and HPF Cutoff and Peak parameters. Change them fairly slowly for best effect. (If Global-->Basic-->Knob/Slider Mode is set to "Catch", you can avoid sudden jumps in the parameter values when you first turn one of the aforementioned knobs.).

5: If you wish to brighten up the drone a bit, add a couple of dB boost to the High Gain value on the EQ page. If you do that, you may need to turn down the VCO1 & 2 levels slightly if that causes you to hear any undesirable clipping.

6: If you wish, Write Program to store it.

Francois · Post by **Francois** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 1:13 pm

Excellent post, thanks.

Ksynth · Post by **Ksynth** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 1:36 pm

Will try your program shortly.

Thanks for your inputs.

Its a good idea to make us learn something this way.

BillW · Post by **BillW** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 2:53 pm

Pretty cool...thanks for sharing it.

zzz · Post by **zzz** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:36 pm

Nice sound! I'll try and find time to fiddle with it this week. Great post, which encourages hands on, a good place to start, and then further exploration, all in one. Any more for any more?

KevinH · Post by **KevinH** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:26 pm

Thank you very much, Steve. I love posts like this, where I can follow along and build a sound step-by-step. It really helps me get a better understanding of the instrument. I'll be trying this out as soon as I get home tonight.

Ksynth · Post by **Ksynth** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 5:24 pm

Tried this and it was fine except I was slightly confused at Line 2 where I did not know that the Program Basic window contained the EXi1 instrument type options. Others like me may find it helpful to see what I mean below:

2. Set Common --> Program Basic --> EXi1 Instrument Type to MS-20EX

Steve Pavao · Post by **Steve Pavao** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:09 pm

Thanks Ksynth!

I changed that step of the directions so it's clearer now.

danatkorg · Post by **danatkorg** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:25 pm

Nice, Steve! I hadn't seen this before.

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:27 pm

That's a really nice sound in that demo recording.

I'll have to try this later.

johnnydr · Post by **johnnydr** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:48 pm

Cool!! Thanx Steve!!

RKfan · Post by **RKfan** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:11 pm

Cool patch - thanks for sharing

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 8:04 pm

Very nice sound ... you're not only a good software developer

jazlover · Post by **jazlover** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 10:06 pm

Awesome............. It is titled the Pava-Drone

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Wed May 02, 2012 5:41 pm

I increased the attack, and added a bit of ensemble (set shimmer to ~78 ) and tape delay.. Also assigned SW1 to put osc1 down two octaves.

Sounds really great - can't believe I only just got around to this!