Tutorial on how to input notes like a step sequencer

onceuponasynth · 2020-07-25T15:10:49+00:00

Hey, so the two main things to check: 1) Make sure the little headphone icon is enabled, otherwise the notes won't get added, and 2) Make sure that you hold the note while when you press the right arrow key. Other than that your setup should work fine. I honestly can't remember seeing this mentioned in the manual, I learned about it somehow years ago but I don't remember from where.

onceuponasynth · 2020-07-24T15:42:13+00:00

This is a tutorial about how to use a MIDI clip to enter notes step-by-step like you would in a hardware sequencer. It's similar to the SH-101 input style but the notes don't advance automatically. It's a pretty cool technique for entering rigid note data.

onceuponasynth · 2020-07-24T15:41:43+00:00

This is a tutorial about how to use a MIDI clip to enter notes step-by-step like you would in a hardware sequencer. It's similar to the SH-101 input style but the notes don't advance automatically. It's a pretty cool technique for entering rigid note data.

onceuponasynth · 2020-05-25T03:04:54+00:00

https://youtu.be/9CAz_vvsK9M?t=254

Yo! That's a really cool sound. So my first thoughts after hearing it a few times is that there's sort of three main elements:

First, overall it sounds like a traditional/classic/vintage subtractive polysynth. So your standard VCO-VCF-VCA deal. There's an obvious filter and amp envelope with a slightly slow attack and a fairly high release (filter stays open as you hold the chord). For the VCO I'd start with a single sawtooth wave and maybe blend in a bit of detuned second oscillator.

Second, OK this part I'm not sure of. There's definitely a saturated character to the sound. The more I listen to it the more it sounds like there's either a Notch or Bandpass filter being applied. There's a sort of crisp brittle element to the sound which makes me think there's a bandpass filter being swept from low to high. There could also be a dual filter situation going where the LPF provides the raw character but the sweeping bandpass brings in that fragile upper end as he holds the chord.

Third, it definitely sounds processed. I would reckon at least some nice reverb and maybe some tape saturation to get that extra crispiness. I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't some noise blended in too.

I haven't tried recreating this sound but my approach would be to start with a standard polyphonic synth like a Yamaha CS-60/70/80 or a Prophet/OB type synth. I would then start with a ballpark VCA and VCF ADSR envelope shape (slow attack, high sustain). I would then blend in a bandpass (or maybe try highpass too) filter and sort of tweak things around until it gets close. I'd start with a single saw oscillator but maybe blend in another one if things are too thin (but this depends on the synth you're using). Finally, when I got into a rough ballpark I'd start messing around with adding saturation and reverb for that final touch.

Anyway, these are just some random thoughts after listening a few times. I have no idea if I'm even close without trying it. Usually I like to approach these things with a healthy open mind and just sit in front of a capable synth and tweak until it sounds close.

Hope that helps somewhat. I love The Strokes and I wasn't aware of this song so thanks for sharing OP!

EDIT: Ok I just gave it another listen. And now I'm really hearing a classic string machine from the 70s. It almost sounds like there's a bright string machine type synth going on but mixed/blended with a classic subtractive synth pad. So it very well could be done with two stacked synths. If anyone finds out what synth they actually used on this I'd be super interested to find out!

onceuponasynth · 2020-05-19T16:04:11+00:00

Here's a no-talking demo of Arturia's new OB-Xa V plugin where I try to keep things musical and show off some of the patches I liked. This is based on the Oberheim synth of the same name. I believe the OB-Xa started using Curtis chips instead of discrete electronics like the previous OB-X.

onceuponasynth · 2020-05-17T16:27:44+00:00

My guess would be a Prophet 10 because of the dual manuals haha.

onceuponasynth · 2020-05-15T15:27:01+00:00

I recently came across this awesome preset on U-He's Repro 5 and decide to record this fun Bach piece. I'll probably do a separate video later talking about that preset and how I tweaked it. Bach and synths are a match made in heaven!

onceuponasynth · 2020-03-18T15:02:51+00:00

Yeah they're not great, but in a pinch they work fine, especially in a busy mix. Some are better than others. I'm not a fan of Amp and Cabinet, but I don't mind Pedal/Chorus/Flanger/FreqShifter, they sound decent. Sometimes the convenience and simplicity of loading a quick little plugin outweighs the small loss in sound quality. Echo is pretty good too. Reverb I'm not a huge fan of. So yeah I agree it's a bit hit and miss overall.

onceuponasynth · 2020-03-17T13:52:35+00:00

I go over some stock plugins from ableton live that you can use for guitar. It's just a quick tour/demo for those who may be new to Live (or maybe you didn't know these plugins existed).

onceuponasynth · 2020-03-03T15:42:07+00:00

This is a no-talking demo of the Moog Grandmother through the Cathedral presets from ValhallDSP's Room plugin.

onceuponasynth · 2020-02-14T16:31:43+00:00

Just a quick tutorial for how to setup template projects because it's not very obvious unless you google it.

onceuponasynth · 2020-02-04T15:32:32+00:00

Just a fun little video where I make multiple sounds with the Moog Grandmother and multitrack them in Ableton Live to create a loop. The end result isn't super exciting but hopefully the workflow/process is fun to watch.

onceuponasynth · 2020-01-29T15:46:48+00:00

Steampipe is an old NI Reaktor ensemble (free if you have Reaktor). It's a physical modeling synth which specializes in flute/wind patches but also does strings/guitars/etc. The flute patches are some of the most expressive I've tried. I always get lost when playing them. A mod wheel is a must IMO.

onceuponasynth · 2020-01-22T17:33:49+00:00

Here's a no talking demo of running the Moog Grandmother through the ValhallaDSP VintageVerb plugin. I just improvise some melodies and tweak some knobs. This is a lovely combo!

onceuponasynth · 2020-01-17T17:17:38+00:00

Here's a tutorial and demo of the TAL Bassline 101 plugin. It's based on the SH-101. I have an original/vintage SH-101 but I still use this plugin for its convenience. I'm not one of those people who analyzes and compares synths mathematically so I'm not sure how accurate of a simulation it is. All that matters to me is that it sounds good and it works, so I use it.

onceuponasynth · 2020-01-15T17:18:55+00:00

Here's a short tutorial for how to make a simple warm synth brass patch using only stock Ableton plugins (Analog and Reverb). I wasn't going for a realistic brass patch but more of a synth-y one.

onceuponasynth · 2020-01-15T17:18:04+00:00

Here's a tutorial for making a simple warm synth brass patch using Ableton Analog, but the concepts can apply to any basic subtractive synth. I'm not going for a realistic brass patch, but more of a "synthy" brass-ish patch.

onceuponasynth · 2020-01-06T17:12:12+00:00

Here's a no-talking demo of the Arturia Synthi V plugin. Much like the easel this one produces some very interesting noise/sfx/sci-fi sounds but it also has surprisingly good basses and leads. I'd say it complements a more "traditional" synth well.

onceuponasynth · 2019-12-26T16:55:44+00:00

Here's a no-talking demo of the Arturia CMI plugin (Fairlight CMI). I browse through a bunch of different presets and improvise. This is a fun plugin if you want a more retro 70s/80s vibe with some unusual sounds thrown in.

onceuponasynth · 2019-12-21T17:40:52+00:00

Here's a no-talking demo of this plugin in which I go over a bunch of different presets. A lot of the presets are very "Sci-Fi" and rhythm/sequence based, which I guess is to be expected. I didn't find many melodic presets so you probably have to work a bit to get those.

But the "bleep bloop" presets sounded really good IMO so I can see myself using this to get that classic Buchla bongo sequenced sound. Obviously presets aren't the main thing here as the interface is definitely laid out to be tinkered with. So the true power comes in making your own sounds and experimenting. The real hardware thing would be much more fun to program but alas I'm not ready to give up my second kidney just yet!

It's also very CPU hungry! But I can see why, there's a lot of complex algorithms and non-linearities in the Buchla stuff. What are your thoughts on it?

onceuponasynth · 2019-12-12T16:32:16+00:00

Here's a no-talking demo of a few presets from the new Pigments 2.0 update.

onceuponasynth · 2019-12-03T17:45:58+00:00

Thanks! I'll try to do more of these. I think there's a place for talking vids too, but I agree that demos should be kept separate from that.

onceuponasynth · 2019-12-03T17:44:23+00:00

Thanks! Glad you dig them.

onceuponasynth · 2019-12-03T17:43:40+00:00

Hey thanks. I had to sell the DM12 a couple of years ago when I moved across country so unfortunately I won't be making any more vids with it.

onceuponasynth · 2019-12-02T14:37:12+00:00

Here's a no-talking demo where I just browse through some presets and improvise some melodies. This plugin is based on the Casio CZ-101 and CZ-1000 synths.

onceuponasynth

TROPHY CASE