1 - How to make this sound - TranceAddict Forums

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Posted by David Adams on Oct-25-2006 02:00:

1 - How to make this sound

This is the first thread in a series whereby I present you a sound, and you (as the educated music/sound producer) give us newbies some advice on how to recreate it. I will be using Cakewalk's Rapture, but hopefully for those using some other analog synth will be able to follow along. I will give detailed information on my progress. This will be a learning experience for myself and for those of you (like myself) new to sound design.

Here is the first sample - the higher end arp sound (there is a higher pitch sound that I'm not concerned with at the moment....if you need further clarification on the sound I'm trying to recreate, please let me know):

example1.mp3

Is this an arp? Or, is it simply an instrument (with an arp pattern) played with one key?

Posted by Four_On_Four-er on Oct-25-2006 02:28:

Uh-oh... it's the classic trance arp sound.

The way I remember how to make it was to grab some saws, put the envelopes on the amp at a strong decay with a smaller amount of sustain. The filter should also have a steep decay. Don't forget to apply a tad of release to the envelopes otherwise it will sound too dry.

You might even be able to do the same thing with thinner pulse waves, or a combination of the two to achieve some more unique results.

Overdrive and distortion could play some minor roles in shaping the sound in some styles (especially if you want the EUro lead sound).

Some resonance or noise could be desireable as well.

Posted by David Adams on Oct-28-2006 14:46:

Well, I've played around quite a bit with this. I can't seem to get the sound right.

Thanks for the suggestions, Four on Four....

Posted by Reconceal on Oct-28-2006 17:11:

to me, this sounds like pretty much standard supersaw, but half filtered, and with very very tight amp and filter decay envelopes
to sound pluck-ish to the point of being almost precussive in nature.

tho the supersaw might not really be that, it could be just few(3-5) saws stacked without too much detune.

Rapture can definitely recreate this sound almost exactly.

Posted by mysticalninja on Oct-28-2006 20:41:

not an arp, not even really played like an arp. all about filter env. no sustain, very short decay. tons of delay.

Posted by David Adams on Oct-29-2006 20:54:

quote:
Originally posted by mysticalninja
not an arp, not even really played like an arp. all about filter env. no sustain, very short decay. tons of delay.

Yep, I agree. I made another sound during a creative process, and I stumbled on this type of effect. Like you said, its very short with tons of delay.

Thanks!