The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

Can anyone tell me what string sounds are made of?
Waveform? ADSR filter & amp setting? kind of modulations needed?

Hi there Mango,

You asked:

  "How to make "String" type sounds..." (also known as "Pads")


Start with any Waveform...

Essentially a Pad sound will have a slow attack and a generally longer
release.
ie. When you press down the key, the volume of the note rises slowly and
sutains until you release the key, then the note slowly fades away.

To get the volume to act in this way, select the "VCA*" Knob Parameter
Group.
*Note: "VCA" stands for (V)oltage (C)ontolled (A)mplifier. In the true
analogue world, a voltage is applied to the amplifier - as the voltage is
increased, this in turn raises the amplification (or, Volume).

To have the volume rise slowly when you press the key, you'll need to turn
up the "Attack' (within the (A)mplifier (E)nvelope (G)enerator). The "Decay"
adjusts the time taken to come back down to the volume set by the "Sustain".
The "Sustain" should be raised to the point that you wish the volume to
remain at whilst the key is still held down. Finally raise the "Release"
value to set the time taken for the sound to fade away.

There you have it.... Instant Pad sound!

To give the sound a bit of character. That is, to have its tonal
characteristics change over the time the note sounds, you'll need to have
the filter 'move' with the sound.

Select "VCF*" Knob Parameter Group.
*Note: "VCF" stands for (V)oltage (C)ontolled (F)ilter and works under the
same principal as the "VCA".

With the understanding of the Amp Envelope (ADSR), you can apply changes
that affect the filter in the same way.

NOTE: When making changes to the ADSR settings of the Filter Envelope, you
may need to adjust the 'depth' that the filter works to using the "FEG
Depth" Knob, and also the "VCF Cutoff" so that the changes are occuring
within an audible range. Add some "Resonance" and sure sure to hear the
results.

Finally to get some motion in the sound over time, you can modulate the "VCF
Cutoff" via an "LFO*".
*Note: (L)ow (F)requency (O)scillators don't make an audible sound. Instead,
the rising and falling voltage is applied to the Filter to cause it to rise
up and down at the same rate.

Press "PEG/LFO" in the Knob Parameter Group, select an "LFO1 Wave" type.
Adjust it's speed (LFO1 Spd). Note: a low value = low speed (Ideal for slow,
evolving pad sounds).

Finally go back to the "MIX/VCF" Knob Parameter Group and adjust the
"FmodDepth". This knob determines what sort of range the Filter will move
through as the LFO cycles up and down. A value of "0" equals no movement.

The are literally an infinite amount of variations and configurations
possible. The AN1x is well featured making it an incredibly versatile (and
much respected) synth.

This should help give you a guide into what's happening behind the scenes.
With all the technical jargon involved: LFO, AEG, FEG, ADSR, 123, ABC (:D)
etc., things can get pretty confusing to comprehend at first. If you need
further clarification of what I've described, please don't hesitate to ask
me and I'll do my best to explain it further.

Once you've learned how the different parameters interact, you can apply
this knowledge to any (virtual) analogue synthesizer with predictable
results.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on! :)

Merry Music Making!

Phil

strings are usually sawtooth waves...I toss in some triangle waves for evil
, ADSR settings are pretty much whatever you want...fast attack for plucks
and slower ones for bowing. modulation for vibrato...maybe a little
chorusing for richness...

play around...find something that sounds cool..and tweak till it is genius
:)

shawn

----------

>From: mango <mango@...>
>To: an1x-list@egroups.com
>Subject: [AN1x-list] Request some sound programming knowledge
>Date: Sat, Jun 10, 2000, 7:09 PM
>

> Can anyone tell me what string sounds are made of?
> Waveform? ADSR filter & amp setting? kind of modulations needed?
>

Do you ever use the "Init?" function to select from the program
'templates'?  Select a Voice you want to overwrite; type 1-3-0 and hit
the YES/ENTER button; reply Y to the subsequent prompt; use the keypad
to select from the 8 choices - Strings is equated to number 4; hit ENTER
and you have a template for starting a String Patch.  Remember that
changes are not permanent until you Save the edited Voice.  The template
is really 'vanilla' but a good kick off point.

Phil's email is right on the money! A very good tutorial on programming
a String Sound from scratch.  You won't go wrong using his note in
combination with the Init functions.  Personally, I find the templates a
real time saver.  Try using the Brass template as a kick off point and
adjust the ADSRs and VCOs for a different kind of String Feel - or the
PWM template.  These are my favorites shot cuts.

Once you've got your sounds together don't forget to exploit the Control
Matrix features.  Try any or all of the following:

Route AT to VCO2 Level - this will allow you to use key pressure to
introduce a different set of harmonics
Route Vel to AEG Attack - this will allow you to control the VCA attack
time with key velocity
Route MW to LFO1 Speed - this will allow you to control the LFO1 rate
with the MOD Wheel.  Remember the Depth amount is programmable - it does
not have to be a 1:1 ratio (I love that!)

These are just some suggestions - the possibilities are endless. The
Control Matrix is a tremendous feature of the AN1x.  Very easy to use. 
Yamaha really did design a good, sensible subtractive synth engine.  All
the basics are covered.

Hope this helps - definitely try and use Phil's note a kick-off point!

Regards,
Jon

mango wrote:
> 
> Can anyone tell me what string sounds are made of?
> Waveform? ADSR filter & amp setting? kind of modulations needed?
> 
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http://www.jdlx-musique.com/

Featuring support for the Ensoniq ASR-X Pro Sampler and Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer

From: "Shawn"
Reply-To: AN1x-list@egroups.com
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2000 09:14:31 -0700
To: AN1x-list@egroups.com
Subject: Re: [AN1x-list] Request some sound programming knowledge

strings are usually sawtooth waves...I toss in some triangle waves for evil
, ADSR settings are pretty much whatever you want...fast attack for plucks
and slower ones for bowing. modulation for vibrato...maybe a little
chorusing for richness...

Sure.. 'whatever floats your boat' .... :)

> I would suggest that we try out this stuff and share the results as
> patches and further advices.If you agree I will collect the
> contributions and make a string programming tutorial.