Audio Geek Zine

REAPER Track Template for Steven Slate Drums

Setting up the multichannel output for Kontakt in Reaper is not the easiest thing in the world. I set it up a few times and it’s not fun. The last time I got it set up perfectly I saved it as a track template and now I can instantly open Kontakt and all the extra tracks with everything routed and named properly. This saves a ton of time!

Because it’s such a pain I’ve decided to share my template with you.

Installation instructions:

Download file: Steven Slate Drums Track Template

Open Reaper, go to the options menu and select “Show REAPER resource path in explorer/finder…”

Navigate to the “Track Templates folder”

Move the file into this folder. Close explorer/finder

Back in Reaper, go to the “Track” menu, select “Insert Track From Template”>Steven Slate Drums Multi-Out

Note- Whenever you load a new kit, you need to push the “Reset Out Map” in the Kontakt mixer section.

I also have a Pro Tools template for this.

Posted in Plugins, Reaper, Virtual Instrument | 1 Comment »

Synthesizer Basics – Lesson 3

Synthesizer Basics 3

Lesson 1 went over the common components of a synthesizer, explained the functions of the Oscillators, and the mixer sections. Lesson 2 looked at the Envelope and filter sections of the synth. This time we’ll get into using the LFO and arpeggiator sections and polyphony options.

LFO

LFO stands for Low Frequency Oscillator. This oscillator typically functions in the 0 to 20Hz range, but this oscillator isn’t a tone generator but actually a control voltage to modulate the other parts of the synth.
There are just three basic controls for the LFO section
⁃    Rate (or speed)
⁃    Waveshape
⁃    Depth
Rate sets how many cycles per second the LFO operates at.
The Waveshape sets how it behaves. The waveshape options will be the same as in the tone generating Oscillators
Depth sets how much effect the LFO will have on the functions it’s assigned to
Often you’ll find the depth controls are on each of the other functions, like the Oscillators, and filter. In this case its very likely that the knob will be labeled LFO and pointing straight up is off. Turning the knob to the left or right will cycle that function down and up, or up and down.
Other synths will just have a single depth knob and some way to assign the LFO to just one parameter.
Enough talking about what it does, let’s here what it can do.
In this example there will be a tone with no LFO, then -50% modulation for oscillator 1, then 50% for the filter with a triangle waveshape.

LFO EXAMPLE

That’s a bit extreme but used more lightly you can add a nice movement to your patches.

Arpeggiator

An arpeggiator is a built-in sequencer for the synth. When you play note or chord it will play each note sequentially. Not all synths will have an arpeggiator.
An arpeggiator has three main controls
⁃    Pattern
⁃    Rate
⁃    Gate
The pattern control chooses how the sequence will be played. Upward, downward, and random are common but you’ll usually have several variations.
Rate is the speed the sequence is played back at. In a virtual synth you can lock it to the project tempo and choose something like 16th notes.
The gate control can shorten the length of each note independent of the release in the amplifier section.
Here is a simple C-Major chord going through the arpeggiator. First set to 1/4 notes, then 8th notes, then I’ll change the pattern from Upward to downward, then I’ll shorten the notes with the gate.

ARPEGGIATOR EXAMPLE

Polyphony

Many synths will have options to control the polyphony or how many notes can be played at once. Some synths are monophonic and can only play one note at a time. Other synths allow you to choose from one to hundreds of voices. The MiniMoog was monophonic and remains one of the greatest and most imitated synthesizers. It’s amazing what you can do with one note at a time.

Portamento

With monophonic synthesizers you can use the portamento function to quickly (or slowly) bend up or down in pitch to the next note without re-triggering the envelope.

Here is an example of that in action:

PORTAMENTO EXAMPLE

That’s it for part 3. We covered the LFO, Arpeggiator, Polyphony and Portamento. Start digging into these functions and try them out.
Have fun!

Posted in Synthesizer Basics Series, Virtual Instrument, tutorial | No Comments »

Synthesizer Basics – Lesson 2

Synthesizer Basics – Lesson 2

Lesson 1 went over the common components of a synthesizer, explained the functions of the Oscillators, and the mixer sections.
Now let’s have a look at the Envelope and Filter sections.

Envelopes
The envelope section allows you to modify the shape of the waveform when a note is played. Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release are the controls you’ll find.
Sometimes there are more than one set of envelope controls. There is usually a dedicated envelope for the amplifier, and then the other can be assigned to filter or something else.

• Attack adjusts the start of the waveform, this will allow you to fade the sound in over time. Think of this as a way to control the volume of the tone from zero to full over a short period of time. From instantly on, to a very slow ramp up in level depending on how this control is set.
• Decay is a time control to set how long before the sustain level is reached.
• Sustain is the level the sound will be while the note is held.
• Release is the opposite of attack. When a key is released the sound fades out over a period of time set by this control.

Here is an example of a tone using a fast attack, fast decay, medium sustain and fast release.
ENVELOPE EXAMPLE 1
Now lets slow the attack way down, set medium decay, low sustain and slow release.
ENVELOPE EXAMPLE 2
Hopefully you can hear each of the controls at work in those examples.

Filter
The filter is a powerful part of the synth, with just two main controls, this can really shape the sound quickly. The filter section is where you will find the most variation. The design and functions and resulting sound will be different from one synth to another in both hardware and software.
The two main controls for a filter to pay attention to are Frequency or cutoff and Resonance. Some synths will let you choose what type of filter, Hipass, low-pass or bandpass.

• A Hi-Pass filter removes all frequencies below the cutoff frequency. (removes Low frequencies)
• A Low-Pass filter removes all frequencies above the cutoff frequency. (removes High frequencies)
• A Bandpass filter removes everything above and below a range around the cutoff frequency.
• The frequency or cutoff control you see in the filter section determines the range which the filter operates in.
• The resonance control will take that cutoff frequency and amplify it making the sound more aggressive.
• Often there is a control to set the steepness or curve of the filter, usually this is 12dB or 24dB.

Here’s an example of the filter in use. First the unfiltered sound, then the filter will sweep down to 10%, then the resonance will be brought up to 70% and swept back up. Then the curve will be changed from 12dB to 24dB.
FILTER EXAMPLE 1

Next I’ll use the second envelope in this synth and use it to control the filter automatically.
FILTER EXAMPLE 2

There’s another way to control the filter, using the LFO, but I’ll leave that for another lesson.

At this point you should be able to make some interesting sounds. If you know how to assign controls to knobs on your MIDI controller keyboard, start assigning some of the parameters you’ll need most often. Attack, Release, filter cutoff and Resonance. These are some of the controls you’ll usually reach for first when tweaking a synth, better to reach for a knob than the mouse.

Part 3 will be about the LFO section and some of the other fun things.

Posted in Synthesizer Basics Series, Virtual Instrument, tutorial | 2 Comments »

Synthesizer Basics – Lesson 1

I’m starting a new series for AGZ and Podcast. Something that hasn’t been covered in detail here.

Synthesizer Basics – Lesson 1

When you first look at a synthesizer it can be a little intimidating with all the knobs and switches and buttons.

Believe it or not, most synthesizers have the same blocks of components and once you figure out what they do you can pretty much use any synthesizer. Over the next several newsletters I’ll be going over each of the common components that make up a synthesizer.

Synthesizer Components

The main components you’ll find in a synthesizer are:

• Oscillators (Red)
• A Mixer (Pink)
• An Envelope Generator (Orange)
• An LFO (Yellow)
• A Filter (Green)

Additionally you’ll usually find options for:

• Polyphony
• Arpeggiator
• Effects
• Ring Modulation
• Noise Generator
• and more

I’m not going to attempt to cover all that at once, this lesson will cover just a few of these.

(more…)

Posted in Synthesizer Basics Series, Virtual Instrument, tutorial | 3 Comments »

Top 10 Free Pro Tools RTAS Plugins

I see this topic come up a lot, “what are the best free rtas plugins?” I’ve answered the question so many times but I’ve never addressed it on the site.
Below is my list of 10 (in no particular order) free 3rd party RTAS plugins I think everyone should have on their system. There are many more out there but these are the ones I use on a regular basis, they are useful and are stable.

1. Flux Bittersweet 2 – http://www.fluxhome.com/products/Freewares/bittersweet2
2. Flux Stereo Tool – http://www.fluxhome.com/products/Freewares/stereotool
3. Brainworx BX_Solo – http://www.brainworx-music.de/en/plugins/bx_solo
4. Brainworx BX_Cleansweep V2 – http://www.brainworx-music.de/en/plugins/bx_cleansweep_v2
5. TT Dynamic Range Meter – http://www.brainworx-music.de/en/downloadrequest
6. Massey Plugins demos – http://www.masseyplugins.com/ (download the demos) CT4, L2007, Tapehead & TD5 are excellent
7. Massey Tools (Mac only) – http://www.smassey.com/plugin.html
8. Studio Devil BVC guitar amp – http://www.studiodevil.com/download/downloadBVC.htm
9. Kontakt 4 player – http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/producer/kontakt-player/
10. KORE 2 player – http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/producer/kore-player

All plugins are RTAS compatible with Mac or PC except Massey Tools which is Mac only.
I hope you find the list useful.
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Posted in Free Plugin Of The Week, Plugins, Pro Tools, Virtual Effect, Virtual Instrument | 3 Comments »