How to Make a Synthesizer Patch

A synthesizer (software or hardware) is an instrument that can create a huge variety of sounds if you know how to correctly use it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A software or hardware synthesizer

1. Choose an oscillator waveform. A sawtooth wave is exactly that, in the shape of a saw's teeth. It produces a buzzier and more aggressive sound. A square wave has square 90 degree angles and produces a smoother, cleaner sound with some buzzy overtones; it is good for 'plucked' sounds. A sine wave is the basic wave and it produces a resonant sound without any 'buzz'. It is good for for bass tones.

2. Modify your 'amplitude envelope' settings (amp env). The Attack controls how quickly the sound comes to its peak when you hit a note. The Decay controls how quickly the sound declines to the level of the Sustain setting. The Release parameter controls how quickly the sound ends when you release the note.

3. Adjust the cutoff of any filter on the synth, the cutoff controls what range of frequencies are let through the filter. You can also adjust the cutoff envelopes and the attack, decay, sustain and release for the cutoff function roughly the same way as they do for the amplitude.

4. Add any effects. If your synth is a multi oscillator (more than on oscillator) you can add Frequency Modulation (FM). Effects such as distortion, chorus, unison, flanger and phaser will all lend your synth different qualities of sound. Play around.

Tips & Warnings

• Different software and hardware produce drastically different oscillator sounds, so try out varied synths