10 synth secrets for your setup
Marco Scherer
Your Own Theremin?
Quite simple and possible for any synth: Connect an LFO to pitch at a relatively fast tempo and control the intensity via mod wheel or aftertouch. Then, set it to mono and turn up the portamento…your own Theremin is ready!
Marco Scherer
Control modular synths with any synth & sequencer?
Modular synths respond to CV signals whose voltage represents the pitch or other parameter settings. Even if you don‘t have a modular sequencer, you can still control your CV-compatible gear in most cases. We use an MPC – unlike its current colleagues, it does not yet have any CV outputs – and load a simple rimshot that’s supposed to work as a clock generator. Alternatively, you can use simple rectangle or pulse waveforms. Record a 16th sequence with constant velocity and send it via a sub-out to the clock, gate or trigger-in of your modular synth. To find the correct volume, slowly turn the volume up or down until the synth responds. And voilá, your pseudo-trigger is ready to go!
Stefan Hofmann
The studio as a modular system
A proven way to add more harmonics to synth sounds is to record them with a tone-coloring tube preamp. You can also take this idea further and use studio gear and effects pedals like a modular system. Connect them to your audio interface in such a way that they can chase synth sounds through the various devices at will for a more customized sound.
Stefan Hofmann
Playing synths differently
Another interesting way to create your own sound is to run the recorded synth sounds through the sampler meat grinder. In our example, we use the Serato Sample software sampler. Load the recorded audio file into the plug-in. Now you can easily set slices and change the individual sections in order, pitch and playing direction. If you play the individual elements on your MIDI keyboard, your beloved synth
