Ableton Forum

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!

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.

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

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

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.

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...

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

Cheers
C.

awesome thx kleine!

edit: switch to mono.

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.

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.

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

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.

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