This week continued with the basics of synthesis with Fundamentals of synthesis #2. The main activity of this week was constructing a sound bank using synthesisers for use in the assessment submission. We learnt how to create an instrument track in Pro Tools but due to the AAX file format for the Helm plugin being unavailable I chose to use Ableton for this activity and to create the sound effects for my assessment and I will export the audio for use in Pro Tools. As a part of the activity this week we were required to submit two sounds that were created using synthesis, I chose to create a Horror background for use in the Walking Dead video and a Storm/Rain sound for the Unravel video.
I made the Horror background using a Synth plugin called Massive from Native Instruments. I selected a pre made setting called ” In 2036″ and from there I modified it to my liking. I raised the pitch of OSC 2 by 2 while lowering the intensity of OSC 1. I changed the Filter from a low pass 2 filter to a filter called scream, I then saved this preset as my own. I also added the Filterjam plugin and selected the Resonant Air preset and lowered the Emphasis, the gain and the mix. I think the result of this will be useful.
For the Storm/Rain noise I used the Helm Plugin and selected the preset called SF wind. From here I modified the preset quite a bit. I lowered the noise on the mixer a tad, while also lowering the drive on the distortion module. I lowered the Feed and the mix on the reverb module, but increased the damp. I also increased the ADSR on both the Amplitude envelope and the Filter envelope as shown on the image below. I also added the Filterjam plugin and modified the settings. I increased the Frequency, Emphasis and Gain. I also set the Operations Switch all the way to the right. The Mix setting was also increased to the max. I think in the end it created a sound which is similar to that of a storm with heavy winds.
I also created in my sound bank a sound for wind, a video game jumping sound, A couple of walking sounds and a heartbeat. I created these sounds in both Massive and Helm. Over the coming weeks I will continue to use this sound bank as I see the value of collecting all of my sounds that I have created in one location and the use of keeping them separate from the actual production till it is required to be uploaded to it.
This week I also did also of work on my Sine Wave assessment. I started by modifying the bass I had from last week, I made another copy of the track and sent the output to the reverb track to create a little bit of a call and response effect. I then added four synths to be the melody so to speak. I made a full bar full of sine waves and consolidated it for use in all four synth parts. The first part I used for the intro and outro and added a SansAmp and a multi chorus (which I used for all four parts), the second synth I used directly after the first synth to create kind of a wind down effect, I used the same two plugins that were used for the first synth but I also added a Black Op Distortion and a Tape Echo. The third synth I used in line with the second synth and added a EQ 7-Band. For the four synth I added a BBD Delay and I also cut the full bar sine wave into to ¼ notes and 1/8 notes and then changed the pitch of a few to create a basic melody. I need to continue working on this as it doesn’t feel complete yet.
Music weekly blog 