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Josephson_Junction Advanced Member
United States
512 posts Joined: Jan, 2012
Posted - 2012/11/02 : 23:46:40
I'm struggling with leads, and what exactly makes a good lead. I'm referring mainly to the construction part of it all, not the mastering part.
For example, every supersaw sound I've tried to create has been far too sharp and brassy for what I want, whether it's just detuning three saw oscillators or something quite a bit more complex. Yet the typical supersaw lead I hear in a lot of modern UK Hardcore has a well-defined (cuts through the mix) yet "soft" sound (e.g. Darwin - Fragile Visions, Gammer - Ambient Angels). Then there are other "soft" leads that I have no idea how to re-create (e.g. Nigel Neptune - Deadline).
It's really subjective so I hope I've explained myself well enough. Does anyone have some advice?
If it matters, these are the soft synths I have at my disposal:
Massive
FM8
Absynth 5
Reaktor 5
Josephson_Junction Advanced Member
United States
512 posts Joined: Jan, 2012
Posted - 2012/11/03 : 00:26:43
quote:Originally posted by Triquatra:
offtopic, but thought studio1 didn't have vst support?
The two main editions - Producer and Professional - do, along with AU, VST3, and ReWire. Only the free and Artist versions lack support for those and VST.
Alert moderatorEdited by - Josephson_Junction on 2012/11/03 00:28:03
Dante Advanced Member
Vatican City State (Holy See)
1,185 posts Joined: Dec, 2009
Posted - 2012/11/03 : 00:30:32
Gave it a quick shot. Something like this?
Hard2Get Advanced Member
United Kingdom
12,837 posts Joined: Jun, 2001
Posted - 2012/11/03 : 00:41:17
quote:Originally posted by Josephson_Junction:
I'm struggling with leads, and what exactly makes a good lead. I'm referring mainly to the construction part of it all, not the mastering part.
For example, every supersaw sound I've tried to create has been far too sharp and brassy for what I want, whether it's just detuning three saw oscillators or something quite a bit more complex. Yet the typical supersaw lead I hear in a lot of modern UK Hardcore has a well-defined (cuts through the mix) yet "soft" sound (e.g. Darwin - Fragile Visions, Gammer - Ambient Angels). Then there are other "soft" leads that I have no idea how to re-create (e.g. Nigel Neptune - Deadline).
It's really subjective so I hope I've explained myself well enough. Does anyone have some advice?
If it matters, these are the soft synths I have at my disposal:
Massive
FM8
Absynth 5
Reaktor 5
I think that is your problem. None of them are ideal for supersaw sounds i don't think (they are very powerful synths indeed but it is timbre alone i am talking about). They can all technically do the basic sound but the typical supersaw sound has always come from analogue modelling synthesisers. I know the FM8 can produce some extremely fat saw leads (well 7 could) but programming that is a skill in itself. In fact they probably all can, i don't really know. All i know is that it's a lot simpler to use an analogue modelling synth. Albino 3 is a good start. Or V-Station for good quality but thinner supersaws (both combined would be good). I must warn you though that it's possible that I'm actually talking shit, as I've not used them synths properly (apart from FM7), but either way what i said about analogue modelling synths being simple while authentic is true.
There is also a great deal to be said about the finer details of patch programming and general engineering. The synth cutting through the mix better could be a result of everything else in the mix fitting well with the synth rather than the synth itself being a lot different from what you are using or trying to use. By far the best thing you can do is post some examples of what you mean (of your own work).
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Posted - 2012/11/02 : 23:46:40
