Signature song synths?

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vibracionfundamental
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Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2010 4:51 pm

Signature song synths?

Post by vibracionfundamental » Fri Aug 20, 2010 12:44 am

guys ive been trying to pull off some synth sounds i found in songs, but i dont even know where to start

what would you advice me to do, to be able to pick a certain timbre by ear?

(ex birdy nam nams parachute ending intro synth or daft punks aerodynamic solo)

yur2die4
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Location: Menasha, Wisconsin
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Re: Signature song synths?

Post by yur2die4 » Fri Aug 20, 2010 1:00 am

The percussion synth on the birdy nam nam intro or the 'horns' style synth?


I'd start by learning to recognize the difference between the basic waveforms and figuring out which stands out most in the synth. Then there are envelopes for amp/filtering. Lastly, if you wanna get a little funky, there is pitch modulation. This is like, the super short, basic, explanation haha. Waveforms first for sure! You should know how to immediately recognize a sine tone, and the difference between a sqare and saw at various octaves. Plus their filtery counterparts.

After that comes recognizing what isn't Just the synth. The solo in aero for instance uses either a guitar amp, or an amp simulator, or equivalent (tubes/saturation/overdrive). plus maybe a little reverb or delay (all part of that guitar vibe).

vibracionfundamental
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2010 4:51 pm

Re: Signature song synths?

Post by vibracionfundamental » Sat Aug 28, 2010 1:45 pm

thanks! i meant the "horns" part as you call it. i have heard similar in some pink floyd songs, but it escapes me as how to get the sound.

any tutorials i can watch on the synth subject?

IanG
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Location: NYC
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Re: Signature song synths?

Post by IanG » Tue Aug 31, 2010 8:43 pm

Hey man,
I'm no pro at this, but I've learned a lot over the past two years by watching Youtube videos on replicating famous or popular synth sounds. Even if they're doing it in another DAW you can still learn a lot. Also, the magazine Computer Music usually has tutorials on achieving certain sounds (synths or otherwise).

Keyboard
magazine also has a section called "Steal This Sound." Here's a pretty simple one for Herbie Hancock's "Chameleon": http://www.keyboardmag.com/article/stea ... 010/116047
You can get pretty close with Analog.
Ian Gallagher
[email protected]

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