Page 1 of 2
Advanced sound creation
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 9:34 pm
by Niblit
I have owned an M3 and now have a mighty Kronos.
Although I love these synths for their beautiful sounds and the ability to compose decent tunes without touching a computer, I do still have one huge problem:
I DON'T HAVE A CLUE how to go about designing my own sounds.
Is there a really good guide for getting the most out of the Kronos engines?
Or even a guide to make a basic start with sound design...

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 9:56 pm
by RonF
Check out QR's YouTube videos for one thing. Then Steven Kay's videos on KarmaLab.com for another. Many of the M3 concepts are the same, as well. And search these forums! Everything is in here!
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 9:57 pm
by QuiRobinez
when programming sounds you need to have some basic understanding of some of the concepts of synthesis. The following document is not that hard to understand and explains the basics quite good in my opinion.
http://beausievers.com/synth/synthbasics/
basicly you program a sound in the following order:
1: OSC: select an oscillators type or sample
2: VCF: set the Filter for that sound
3: VCA: set the Envelopes (also often refered as ADSR by many people)
4: AMS / LFO: create the modulation matrix for that sound
5: IFX/MFX: select the effects
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 11:05 pm
by narf
Here's a great primer in understanding synthesis. Worth the watch:
<param name="movie" value="
http://www.youtube.com/v/atvtBE6t48M?ve ... ram><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="
http://www.youtube.com/v/atvtBE6t48M?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed>
<param name="movie" value="
http://www.youtube.com/v/gJkxGvhOS-M?ve ... ram><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="
http://www.youtube.com/v/gJkxGvhOS-M?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed>
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 3:04 am
by KorgisKing
Thanks guys this is great stuff

Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 1:25 pm
by narf
This one actually gives you examples on how to create specific sounds.
<param name="movie" value="
http://www.youtube.com/v/zK3m8sMkTE4?ve ... ram><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="
http://www.youtube.com/v/zK3m8sMkTE4?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed>
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 3:59 pm
by Niblit
THANKS PEOPLE!,,
I'll be releasing my first sound-set in a couple of days
There will be 32 patches in total, all of which, WILL sound the same as each other and based on the grand piano plus a little OVerb.
Thanks again, I'm sure I'll get the hang of it one day... Either that, or I'll have to nip across the pond to see the great QR.
Believe it or not, I used to write software and teach I.T but this beast has got me stumped.

Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 4:01 pm
by Niblit
qrobinez wrote:when programming sounds you need to have some basic understanding of some of the concepts of synthesis. The following document is not that hard to understand and explains the basics quite good in my opinion.
http://beausievers.com/synth/synthbasics/
basicly you program a sound in the following order:
1: OSC: select an oscillators type or sample
2: VCF: set the Filter for that sound
3: VCA: set the Envelopes (also often refered as ADSR by many people)
4: AMS / LFO: create the modulation matrix for that sound
5: IFX/MFX: select the effects
COME OFF IT Q... IM OLD

Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 5:09 pm
by Melodialworks Music
Thanks for the great links!
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 6:21 pm
by jeebustrain
I've been programming synthesizers since I got my Micromoog back in 1997 and those linked videos are absolutely fantastic. I so wish I could have seen these 15 years ago - especially back then, when I saw a fully working Roland Jupiter 6 in a Pawn Shop for $300.
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 6:38 pm
by 1jordyzzz
Nice links qui! And everyone!! Thank you

Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 6:41 pm
by apex
This is where I was was linked to to get my start...(3-4 years ago)
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/allsynthsecrets.htm/
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:31 pm
by RonF
Just goes to show how amazing the Internet and YouTube is for this generation. In the "old days" (yea...I know...shut up Grandpa!

) you had nothing but trial and error. I remember getting my first "real synth", which was an Ensoniq ESQ1 (prior to that I only had an SH101, which was a toy really at the time...and now its a coveted analog synth!:shock: ), and for a year I didn't know what the heck everything meant or did....even though I was still making great music with it by simply pressing buttons and sliding sliders and seeing what I could make happen. Then I stumbled across "The Transoniq Hacker", which was about an 8 page per month Xerox'ed newsletter (more like a Rag from some dudes garage) which actually had articles that explained what all this stuff meant. And it was like...WOW....who knew?....and these concepts started to make some sense. Back then... "Internet" wasn't even *word* yet! Its just amazing what the free sharing of information can do for you!
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:40 pm
by bsbsantos
WOW. Thanks for the vids.
The first one showed a Casio CZ-1!!! I had one when I was 15.
Now I am 40, so that was a long time ago... good memories...
Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 8:14 am
by Niblit
Niblit wrote:qrobinez wrote:when programming sounds you need to have some basic understanding of some of the concepts of synthesis. The following document is not that hard to understand and explains the basics quite good in my opinion.
http://beausievers.com/synth/synthbasics/
basicly you program a sound in the following order:
1: OSC: select an oscillators type or sample
2: VCF: set the Filter for that sound
3: VCA: set the Envelopes (also often refered as ADSR by many people)
4: AMS / LFO: create the modulation matrix for that sound
5: IFX/MFX: select the effects
COME OFF IT Q... IM OLD

Actually, I have just sat still for a few minutes and read the Synth Basics and it's really good.. Thanks !,