How best to use Amplitube with Sonik Synth 2

[Beardedone]

Thanks r_harms. I have been using this stuff for several years now and have recently noted that I understand very little more than when I first started. I can put together a resonable track using presets but if I had to make my own, I would be only able to twiddle my thumbs. I have read many articles such as the Tweakheadz stuff and about. But I know I learn best from practical hands on instruction - that's hard to come by in this field.

With regard to compressors - I undrstand the concept fairly well and do very much like the design of EAS's Neodynium, but the with ST2 and SS2 I have a diffult time getting what I want with the compressor or any of the effects inserts - let's say I need a slightler louder and tighter upright bass for example - I can never nail it - I often end up with an overdone the effect. So, if you have any tips on that aspect I would appreciate it.

I have pointed this out before that all of these instruments need practical educational material preferrably with examples included.

End of Rant!
Gordon

[Arglebargle]

I don't have Amplitube, , but if I did, I could load an instance of SS2 in Sonar. I'd load a nice electric guitar voice ,and put Amplitube in the audio FX bin. I could do screaming lead guitar parts playing a keyboard instead of a guitar.

Yes but would they sound real enough? As far as my experience goes it doesn't come close enough to a real axe. It's sounds good but any guitar player could tell it's fake in a nanosecond!

^^^

What he said.

Guitar is, by far, the most fake-sounding instrument when sampled. If you want guitar in your music, play it! Or get someone else to play it.

[Beardedone]

Thanks for your observation. Too true and a good thing too for a dumb old guitar noodler like me.

[r_harms]

It looks like we are looking for the same thing. I'm pretty new and I've been very overloaded with music tech in general. I'm not at the point where I can create a sound that I need, or hear in my head, hell, I can barely play yet!

I come from the workstation mindset and that is one of the reasons I am going with the SampleTank Line. I like the idea of having one main plugin to learn, and hopefully some day master.

I soak up all the info I can find. Most articles are to generic. I too would love to see some ST specific training media. Most video training is to short to give that 'Hands On' feel I'm looking for. I would love to see tweaks covered in detail, really taking the time to show where to start, and what comes next.

I listen to the music JEEZ and others create and I feel my life will be way to short to ever 'Get It'.


Richard

[Beardedone]

Richard,

I suggest that you concentrate on one instrument at a time. One major mistake I have made and continue to fall into is not spending enough effort on one area and jumping off and on to another new thing before I actually gathering any real understanding. I have only little time each evening to make music and often waste it (NB my time spent here trying to get some insights is during my job hours away from my studio). Just keep at it and ask questions - I say this because another mistake I make is I don't ask enough questions -maily because I have so many.

Educational material would surely solve many of the headaches I get. Let's hope that some will be made available.

[r_harms]

I suggest that you concentrate on one instrument at a time. One major mistake I have made and continue to fall into is not spending enough effort on one area and jumping off and on to another new thing before I actually gathering any real understanding.

This is excellent advice. It's so good in fact, it is probably the best advice for your situation as well!

I like to start with one sound and tweak it to death. I try to let it get into my head. If I stick with it I get some usable stuff. It's a big leap in skill & talent to have total control from thought to execution.

My main goal for now is becoming a keyboard player. I'm not sure what that mean for me yet...

It was my inner gear whore that got me into this adventure...

I have much more power than talent


Richard

[Beardedone]

Good luck with that Richard. These are commendable goals. Stick with them.

I was thinking how back in 2000 I was just looking for a way to practice playing my set of Jazz standards on guitar and went looking for a simple computer-based solution. Now I'm totally crazed and over my head with this whole computer music jive. I love it, but I am also suffering from way more power than talent to exploit it.

Best,
Gordon

[harmony gardens]

There's nothing like practice to get things going. I have to confess that there are times when I let distractions get the better of me. Take some time each day to learn and practice your scales, learn some music theory, go easy on the expectations so you don't beat yourself up. Everything is a day at a time. There's a lot to absorb, and it takes patience and persistence.

Keep the sound thing in perspective. Music is sound organized in some way. If it is done just right, it's artistry.

If we compair ourselves to artists, think of sounds as paint and color. It's essential for an artist to know how to blend color, but it's also important to learn how to get the right amount of paint on the brush, to get that color on the canvas.

Each sound you have is a little universe unto itself. It requires a slightly different touch to control each one. It's good to take some time when you find a sound that feels good to you, to stick with it a bit. Play some scales on it, and see what sort of touch it takes to play phrases on it. Play some repeat chords on it, soft and loud, to get a sence of what sort of touch it takes to get an evenly accented rhythm. Play in a groove. Try to make the duration of the sound fit rhythmically. Now shape it with the proper dynamics for the emotion you which to express, and start to paint your picture.

When you start to create something, do the track which will be the main focus of your peice. If you are doing a ballad, start with the piano or guitar, which every you which to feature. It's important to develope the sence of rhythm very early. If your project is very rhythmic, establish the rhythm first. The main thing the listener will here in a rythmic oriented project, will be how well the Kick Drum and Bass work together. Choose your next sounds to either compliment or contrast each other to taste.

These sounds are great tools, and it's great fun to have a lot of them, but don't lose sight of thier purpose. Just a few thoughts,,,,

[Kim Lajoie]

I have not used the FX in ST2 or SS2 very much other than what's in the presets. The eq reverb and delay I understand but I can't seem to get my head around the compressor and channel strip - because when I insert and activate then I find they are less than subtle - the off-the-wall FX I usually avoid altogether. Is there a tutorial on using these?

There are three dynamics processors in ST2.

The compressor in the channel strip (eq/comp) is basically a one-knob 1176. It has an aggressive type of sound. Lower settings are less obvious, but not gentler. I've found this compressor to be excellent for drums.

The separate compressor effect is based on the T-RackS compressor (can't remember what hardware it's modelled from). It's much smoother, but the default settings are pretty full on - the drive and ratio are quite high by default. To get smoother compression, reduce the drive and/or the ratio. That should get you in the ballpark.

The limiter is based on the T-RackS limiter. Even though there are only three controls, it's a discrete three-band adaptive limiter under the hood. Again, the default settings are pretty full-on. For a more gentle effect, turn drive and overload down, and increase release.

Maybe I should write an in-depth article on ST2's effects section...

Forever,




Kim.

[Kim Lajoie]

So can anyone tell me how I can learn how to use ST2 and SS2 Effects? Since random tweaking doesn't do it for me and there are too many variables to consider in these plugins, including Amplitube.

The manual is a good place to start. It's got a description of all the effects, and what the controls do. The chapter on effects in the ST2 manual starts on page 53.

I'm thinking of writing a detailed article on ST2 effects.

Forever,




Kim.

[Beardedone]

I'm thinking of writing a detailed article on ST2 effects.

Thanks Jeez. That would be very welcome. I want to learn when to use SS2 and ST2 effects effectively and hopefully avoid the trial and error method which I find a pita. The ST2 manual describes what each effect does but assumes a degree of familiarity of the musical context. This can be disconcerting. Up until two years ago I had never heard any techno music for example on p 53 of the ST2 Manual, filter mode is decribed in reference to that genre - I still don't understand the reference to a "techno 4 pole" is.

I have the TRacks plugins as well but I mostly stuck in preset mode with the clipper,compresser and tube saturator. The eq I understand. But I rely on the rest of tehm and need to grasp how to use them. But there are tutorials. I guess those who has used hardware have no need to be educated. But there i a growing cohort of new users who do.

Thanks for you instructive posts.

[Arglebargle]

Beardy - from what I understand about filters (aka not much), 1 pole is equivalent to 6 dB or something... so 4-pole means 24 dB. 4-pole seems to give a more extreme filter range than 2-pole or 1-pole.

I still don't understand it much, myself, I just stumble around until I come up with something that sounds decent.

[Beardedone]

Beardy - from what I understand about filters (aka not much), 1 pole is equivalent to 6 dB or something... some 4-pole means 24 dB. 4-pole seems to give a more extreme filter range than 2-pole or 1-pole.

I still don't understand it much, myself, I just stumble around until I come up with something that sounds decent.

Thanks Arglebargle. I am looking through SOS and trying to get better informed. I wonder if there is an articler on pole filters I can find.

Cheers,
Gordon