Best VST instrument for relaxation, Ambient, sounds
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- KVRAF
- 3338 posts since 6 Aug, 2009
zebra2. and def check out joseph hollo's padsheaven soundsets for it: http://sound.artenuovo.com/index.html
(i did an ambient project for a client, much of it with the above)...
(i did an ambient project for a client, much of it with the above)...
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- KVRAF
- 4797 posts since 25 Jan, 2014 from The End of The World as We Knowit
This! Ambient is a genre, and thus has more to do with style than synth, e.g. ambient is "often" instrumental, slow tempo, no prominent beat, motifs rarely repeat, note intervals are small, little contrast or surprises or build to climax, etc. So analyse your favourite ambient, and make a piece using the synths you already have.ghettosynth wrote:What usually helps people get better advice is to post some examples of the kinds of things that you're looking to create.
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 832 posts since 27 Nov, 2003 from UK, Polegate
Many thanks for the advice, lots of stuff I had never heard of before coming up, really useful. I'll try and find some examples of the type of thing I like and hope to find inspiration from .
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- KVRAF
- 5624 posts since 23 Mar, 2006 from pendeLondonmonium
OP, you may very well have all the synths that you need for this, but what you may want to start experimenting with is suitable chains of effects, which can really transform any source material into totally new, deep, soundscapes.
Here's an example which comes from a very old thread here on KVR (2011). In this example you can hear how a standard strings sample taken from a very old Roland TSS-1 General Midi sound module, together with a cowbel get transformed into very deep, atmospheric wash of sound. Then, you hear how the same effects smear the flute and a pluck just at the end of the audio file:
(dry strings+ cowbell first, then the same but with a chain of effects...)
dry strings transformed into a deep, atmospheric wash with effects only
Here's the original post for that thread, which also contains more info:
viewtopic.php?p=4686848#p4686848
Here's an example which comes from a very old thread here on KVR (2011). In this example you can hear how a standard strings sample taken from a very old Roland TSS-1 General Midi sound module, together with a cowbel get transformed into very deep, atmospheric wash of sound. Then, you hear how the same effects smear the flute and a pluck just at the end of the audio file:
(dry strings+ cowbell first, then the same but with a chain of effects...)
dry strings transformed into a deep, atmospheric wash with effects only
Here's the original post for that thread, which also contains more info:
viewtopic.php?p=4686848#p4686848
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- KVRAF
- 5624 posts since 23 Mar, 2006 from pendeLondonmonium
However, if I were to focus on synths only, I'd be looking for instruments which use sample+synthesis. In the past I'd always recommend Alchemy as the first choice, but since it is no longer available on the PC platform, and is locked to Logic on Mac, it is no longer a viable option for most people. However, there are many other instruments which can mix samples with synthesis (Halion, Halion Sonic, Falcon, etc) alternatively, you can always create such layered sounds in your DAW, by mixing/layering a synth+a sampler, for example.
What I would also look at are a variety of 'world' acoustic samples. These can really add to the texture and atmosphere in ambient sounds you are looking for. Careful mixing and layering can add the interest without having some obvious 'ethnic' sounds getting in the way, or pushing the production into a more New Age style. In this context some Physical Modelling synths are very useful, AAS String Studio in particular, as it can be moulded into many semi-acoustic sounds which with suitable effects can really add lovely textures. So, think outside the box, don't just focus on a synth that can give you great pads, look for other sources and creative use of effects. Speaking of which some more, definitely explore Impulse Response reverbs. There are some examples which can really transform a sound into a beautiful ambient tapestry of sound. Recently I really like the Fog Convolver reverb with its very useful set of Impulse Response presets, which provides a very easy way to get great sounds!
What I would also look at are a variety of 'world' acoustic samples. These can really add to the texture and atmosphere in ambient sounds you are looking for. Careful mixing and layering can add the interest without having some obvious 'ethnic' sounds getting in the way, or pushing the production into a more New Age style. In this context some Physical Modelling synths are very useful, AAS String Studio in particular, as it can be moulded into many semi-acoustic sounds which with suitable effects can really add lovely textures. So, think outside the box, don't just focus on a synth that can give you great pads, look for other sources and creative use of effects. Speaking of which some more, definitely explore Impulse Response reverbs. There are some examples which can really transform a sound into a beautiful ambient tapestry of sound. Recently I really like the Fog Convolver reverb with its very useful set of Impulse Response presets, which provides a very easy way to get great sounds!
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- KVRist
- 277 posts since 2 Apr, 2016
timfarman wrote:I'm hoping to make some relaxation music with ambient, pads, soundscape type musical noise, I wondered what the best VST instruments would be, what do people think ? Really looking for mellow sounds.
Hope that's not too vague/general, I'm just doing it for fun !
Suggesting Falcon with some libraries, or Kontakt with Lunaris. Both will give you what you desire. You may also want to check out Adaptiverb.
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- KVRAF
- 35271 posts since 14 Sep, 2002 from In teh net
Which is such a pity because I'd say Yuroun's Alchemy banks are some of the closest to this sort of aesthetic.himalaya wrote:However, if I were to focus on synths only, I'd be looking for instruments which use sample+synthesis. In the past I'd always recommend Alchemy as the first choice, but since it is no longer available on the PC platform, and is locked to Logic on Mac, it is no longer a viable option for most people.
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- KVRAF
- 5624 posts since 23 Mar, 2006 from pendeLondonmonium
There it is. How could I forget! Get this now. It's immense, and it's sublime!Dillinger wrote:Kontakt with Lunaris
(disclosure: I did work on some of the presets, but let that not be an obstacle to my recommendation, it's genuinely an amazing library. Luftrum's Magnus Opus!)
Last edited by himalaya on Mon Dec 18, 2017 1:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- KVRAF
- 5624 posts since 23 Mar, 2006 from pendeLondonmonium
It is isn't it....what can we do... I tend to jump into Logic just for Alchemy v2. I also use Alchemy when teaching sound design...but this 'uber' synth deserves to be available to all musos on all platforms...aMUSEd wrote:Which is such a pity because I'd say Yuroun's Alchemy banks are some of the closest to this sort of aesthetic.himalaya wrote:However, if I were to focus on synths only, I'd be looking for instruments which use sample+synthesis. In the past I'd always recommend Alchemy as the first choice, but since it is no longer available on the PC platform, and is locked to Logic on Mac, it is no longer a viable option for most people.
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- KVRAF
- 15515 posts since 13 Oct, 2009
Which is why style matters so much when it comes to ambient. This is absolutely the last thing that I would look for. Whether these kinds of sounds work for you depends a lot on what you're trying to create and what your skillset is. For me, it's way more likely that I would end up sounding like some cliche new age meditation bullshit.himalaya wrote: What I would also look at are a variety of 'world' acoustic samples. These can really add to the texture and atmosphere in ambient sounds you are looking for.
That said, pretty much any sample with the right processing can fit into ambient recordings. What matters is how you are going to process that sample or instrument.
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- KVRAF
- 2596 posts since 8 Sep, 2009
I'd like to add:ghettosynth wrote:That said, pretty much any sample with the right processing can fit into ambient recordings. What matters is how you are going to process that sample or instrument.
Anyone who's interested in relaxed ambient music should become relaxed first and foremost her-/himself. There's so much peace in silence - to start with.
From there on you can and will develop sounds that add to, but not disturb the inner mood.
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 832 posts since 27 Nov, 2003 from UK, Polegate
Such great advice here. I notice that the Tone-2 'Warmverb' ( the same as 'Multi-FX' ?) which was mentioned a few times, is available with Computer Music magazine issue 234 on Zinio. Looks like a fully featured version.
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- KVRAF
- 2772 posts since 22 May, 2017
Yep, the CM version is full-featured and exactly the same plugin, just with a new name slapped on it. https://www.kvraudio.com/product/warmve ... iosoftwaretimfarman wrote:Such great advice here. I notice that the Tone-2 'Warmverb' ( the same as 'Multi-FX' ?) which was mentioned a few times, is available with Computer Music magazine issue 234 on Zinio. Looks like a fully featured version.
