How to Make a Hoover / Mentasm Synth Sound in Operator

contakt321 · Post by **contakt321** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 4:57 pm

Hi folks,

I was wondering if you could help me create a synth sound.

I am trying to make the Hoover / Mentasm sound in Operator and having a hard time. I have tried a few times, but can't seem to get it right. Can anyone give me some pointers and suggestions on some settings?

Here are two examples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4aMb_SCloU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dohzrXT09w

Thanks in advance!

j2j · Post by **j2j** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 5:09 pm

Does Operator have Pulse Width Modulation? Without that, it will be difficult.

Predator would be a better vst for hoover.

If Operator has it, 2 saws, fast envelopes to pitch and filter. I've also heard of all sorts of combos, saws and sqs, 2 saws and sine, for something really thumpy.

Maybe some portamento, depending on your taste...

( edit )

Those new Fxpansions, those will be great for these types of sounds, but they are not released yet.

kleine · Post by **kleine** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 5:26 pm

Indeed hard to do with Operator but easy with Analog.

Generally you need
- two pulse width modulated squarewaves (via LFO´s)
- one oscillator an octave above the other (plus a bit detune)
- an unison mode
- glide/portamento

Best,
Christian

steffensen · Post by **steffensen** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 11:23 pm

Analog is probably the best bet on this, but Operator is capable as well. You cant do pulse width modulation, but pulse is possible by using 2 identical Square waveforms, and changing the phase on one of them.

Made some really simple reeses for you here:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/otvbxk

contakt321 · Post by **contakt321** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:45 am

Wow, I didn't realize the Alpha Juno was actually analog, interesting.

@ J2J - thanks for the notes, I am quite a noob at sound design, hence the help. I will look into Predator, I have heard people recommend.

@ Kleine - Thank you. I must confess, I am so enamored with Operator, that I really haven't used Analog. I have tried what you suggested and I feel like I am in the ballpark, but not quite there. Can you elaborate more on using PWM? (Or anyone here?)

@ Steffensen - Thanks for the Reese Basses, which I love. I am trying to get closer to the Hoover "whirring" sound like in those videos though. Def appreciate the bass love though!!!

Thanks again folks, it's appreciated.

j2j · Post by **j2j** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 3:41 am

contakt321 wrote:I have tried what you suggested and I feel like I am in the ballpark, but not quite there.

kleine wrote: Generally you need
- two pulse width modulated squarewaves (via LFO´s)
- one oscillator an octave above the other (plus a bit detune)
- an unison mode
- glide/portamento

Hi Contakt321,

I think CK, forgot to mention envelope to pitch mod down. That ought to do the trick. Wish I had the suit, I'd make a preset for you, but I really prefer my other synths, so I never invested.

Predator is OK. I used to own it, it was a little too harsh for me, so I sold it. I really have high hopes for those Fxpansions, they should be showing up later this year.

Either way! On analog:

1. PWM 15% to 30%, to a pair of sq's or saws, or one osc saw and one osc sq.

2. 12 or 24 LP filter mid resonance

3. Fast envelope 0 sustain to filter.

4. Fast envelope 0 sustain to pitch.

5. Unison, Portamento.

If you combine those instructions, with CK's instructions, hopefully you will get a little closer. You can split the oscillators, across the octaves, and maybe mod the PWM with an LFO. ALthough, I have a feeling that will be kinda stringy. Best to use a very slow mod, and a shallow one. Try and keep the PWM away from 30 to 45, cause that is insta-strings.

On analog does the PWM go to 50 or 100? If goes to 50, keep away from 30 - 45. If goes to 100, keep away from 35 - 55.

Also, I'm really using my ears on this one. I don't have exact instructions lying around.

Least to say, I could be a little mistaken, on a part or two.

Cheers mate...

kleine · Post by **kleine** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:04 am

Here´s an analog "hoover" approach for you:
http://rapidshare.com/files/194611729/c ... r.adv.html

Cheers
C.

Grappadura · Post by **Grappadura** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:09 am

awesome thx kleine!

edit: switch to mono.

contakt321 · Post by **contakt321** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 3:27 pm

I have to say, I am truly overwhelmed and appreciate all of the help, actual examples and tips.

I am downloading now, and hopefully can spend some time w/ this tonight and reverse engineer to get a better understanding and finally put Analog to use.

I think it's safe to say it's going to be 1991 all over again in my apartment this weekend.

Thank you again everyone.

kabuki · Post by **kabuki** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:43 pm

Here is a good example of hoover built in Reason. I bet wit a bit of play, it would be possible to bi=uild one using Live and a few stacked Analogs...
http://alek.szahala.com/reason.html

Combinator = Racks

Subtractor = Synth. Use Analog or an Operator. Or 2 or 3 or 4, etc.

Inline Mixer = unnecessary with Racks

Spider = Midi router. (unnecessary with Racks)

Got git it.

emef · Post by **emef** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:49 pm

alpha juno has chord memory
so ideally you'd use operator with 3 voices and get the chord effect in there so one key press plays 3 notes at once

siliconarc · Post by **siliconarc** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:15 pm

i made one in Live 8's Operator while beta testing last month.
you can download it here

no idea if it's anywhere near accurate but i remember thinking i got sort of close.
haven't upgraded yet so can't open it here.

sammond · Post by **sammond** » Thu May 27, 2010 12:06 pm

garyboozy wrote:i made one in Live 8's Operator while beta testing last month.
you can download it here

no idea if it's anywhere near accurate but i remember thinking i got sort of close.
haven't upgraded yet so can't open it here.

Nice one mate. Pretty close to the mark i reckon

How to Make a Hoover / Mentasm Synth Sound in Operator

How to Make a Hoover / Mentasm Synth Sound in Operator

Re: How to Make a Hoover / Mentasm Synth Sound in Operator

Re: How to Make a Hoover / Mentasm Synth Sound in Operator

Re: How to Make a Hoover / Mentasm Synth Sound in Operator

Re: How to Make a Hoover / Mentasm Synth Sound in Operator