Detuning oscillators

[sempondr]

Most of the time I see that different oscillators in presets are slightly detuned in opposite directions to make final sound more rich.
Now that I started learning to program patches myself I wonder if there's any "scientific" metod on how to make patch stay in tune ?
...Or is it done by ear only ?
Why there's usually a different amount of detuning for each OSC (like: OSC1 +8, OSC2 -1) ?

[CypherOne]

detuning oscillators often results in a 'chord' effect, i.e with two oscillators and one of them detuned by +7 semitones will make a major chord effect. Often detuning is used to create a fatter sound by asjusting either way by a couple of semitones. Any more than that will change the harmonics.

Then again, I know f**k all about programming synths so I expect someone will turn up soon and give you a decent explanation (and probably tell me how wrong I've got it!)

[sempondr]

Hey Cypher.
Sorry I didn't make myself clear - I meant "Fine tuning" which is always less than semitone.

[Big Tick]

Finetuning goes -50 .. 50. (It's in "cents").
This link provides a nice overview of various techniques - including detuning:
http://www.its.caltech.edu/~sciwrite/jo ... short.html

'Tick

[pummel]

hey tic, thanks for the link. got any others?

on detuning, there is no science; if it sounds good (to you), then it *is* good. you go in opposite directions so that the 'overall' sound is in tune. if you are only listening one osc, and the others are (unheard) modulators, then leave the one in tune and detune the modulators.

in some cases, detuning 'improves' the sound (personal taste); in other cases not. and it can be grossly overdone.

[tconrardy]

OK..OK...you have hit on one of my main programming tricks. Just a simple detune really fattens these sounds. One technique is to use 4 oscillators in pairs.

One pair is a complete sound, each with the same waveform, and slightly detuned to each other, ( -7 or 10 is even good) and both going thru one filter.

Another pair with a different waveform, perhaps another octave or even a 5th or 7th from the first pair.These are detuned, and put thru the second filter, with different envelope settings.

I think I even tried 3 pairs at one time just to see what it sounded like! IT WAS BIG!

OK...now you know one of my main Rhino programming tricks: GO FOR IT!

Tim

[sempondr]

Thanks for all the info!
I am still working my way out of "what if it's terribly out of tune and I can't notice" complex, especially when I try to tweak evolving multilayered patches...made by others of course...

[tconrardy]

Thanks for all the info!
I am still working my way out of "what if it's terribly out of tune and I can't notice" complex, especially when I try to tweak evolving multilayered patches...made by others of course...

The trick to hear what you are doing is to MUTE the other oscillators you are not working on by right clicking them in the matrix.

There: another programming trick! Now everyone knows my secrets!

Tim