Preset Building

[xolax]

Ok, here's the thing - lately Ive been trying to get into making my own presets, but I can never seem to get totally new sounds. even when I use a modular synth ike Zebra, I seem to be stuck and all the sounds I come up with sound relatively similar. I believe that my problem lies in the fact that I dont use envelopes and LFOs to their full potential. I think "inside the box" and I think that's my biggest problem. Anyone have any tips on building my own patches??

[SARcazm]

Reverse engineer. Find an existing patch that is both unusual and interesting, then find out why and then try to emulate using different synths or sound sources.

[symplectiq]

Try experementing some more. Silly stuff that you wouldn't do. Then save those presets even if they sound bad. So you can go back to them later and get ideas.

[Sascha Franck]

Reverse engineer. Find an existing patch that is both unusual and interesting, then find out why and then try to emulate using different synths or sound sources.

This is *very* good advice.
Heck, you sometimes don't even need to emulate the patch using another synth. Just using a second instance of the very same synth will already be worth a lot sometimes. You can just start with whatever default patch (often just a lame sine or whatever) and then slowly explore the various sections and how they have been altered.

[morphex]

xolax-

First of all, I give you respect for wanting to create your own presets. Not only can it be an exciting part of the music-making process, but it will enable you to sound different and unique. That's not to say that simply using presets is a bad thing, but the extra work and creative programming can provide a track that will have a positive impact on your self-confidence. Then, when you are finished, you'll have a track that you can be proud of.

Reverse-engineering is a very good way if you want to learn how to make specific types of sounds that seem complex. A good example would be something like an exotic pad sound that evolves or contains movement. Part of knowing how to program is learning the "lingo". Once you have a basic understanding of what LFO's, Oscillators, Filters, and so on do, your programming skills will enable you to craft just about anything your imagination desires, depending on which plug-in you're using of course.

In your post you mentioned that you are using Zebra. That is a superb plug-in for designing all types of sounds and should provide enough features to keep you busy for a long time. There are plenty of synth programming tutorials on the web, but you may want to buy a book on the subject. That would be a great place to start IMO.

One other thing, make sure to save your hard work and back up your presets. There is nothing more heart-breaking than spending hours on crafting your own sounds and then losing them due to a problem with your system. Good Luck, and Have Fun!!

Peace- morphex

[TotcProductions]

My tip is as follows:

Don't make your own presets. Buy all of the presets you do use from Pro-Sounds.

Problem Solved.

[xolax]

Thanks for the input everyone. As for buying presets, Im not really into that, Im usually satisfied with stock presets. I would buy occasionally if I had the cash
As for morphex - Ive read that free synth book almost all the way through and I know most of the basics, its just that I cant really "apply" them practically (or so it feels to me when I do).
As for reverse engeneering, Ive spent some time this weekend practicing some patch building and have gotten some nice results. I built a couple of nice pads in Zebra today and was quite pleased with them. I will just keep working at it and hopefully it will all get better.
Thanks for all the input guys.

[jamesmcfadyen]

Here at PULSAR/3 we have a service where we can professionally design sounds for you.

Either that or choose from our current VST-i Sound Libraries.

Website: http://www.devilishpublishing.com/pulsar3

Feel free to email me at pulsar3@devilishpublishing.com