KVR Audio

tristan- · Post by **tristan-** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 8:41 am

In another thread I saw mention of snappy envelopes. so I'd like to expand on this a bit.
When it comes to snappy envelopes, I consider both Dune 2 and Sylenth1 at the top of the game.
Which synth is your favorite in that aspect?

recursive one · Post by **recursive one** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 8:46 am

Dune2? To me it's clicky, not snappy (not a good thing).

Spire has very fast envelopes (may also be clicky, but in this case it is easily fixed by setting the attack a few points above zero).

Urs · Post by **Urs** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 8:47 am

How about some sound examples?

tristan- · Post by **tristan-** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 8:57 am

I'll try to post some tonight. an example would be when I synthesize certain bass patches I want the sound to decay very quickly from high to low cutoff position. I achieve very nice results with both Dune 2 and Sylenth1. I tested Spire on that regard and it doesn't give me those results.
I actually look for that "click", if I understand your definition of clicky..

recursive one · Post by **recursive one** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 9:10 am

Interesting to hear your examples.

Good representation of envelope behaviour of a synth are psytrance/ full-on basses - the kind of sound which I never managed to get right in Dune2, but relatively easily make which Sylenth/Spire. Imo, the click in Dune 2 is too obvious, and when the attack is set a bit slower, the sound loses its punch.

tristan- · Post by **tristan-** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 9:15 am

Basically that's the style of bass I'm talking about. I've been using Sylenth1 for quite a while for this, and lately I'm doing it with Dune 2.

But my point is not arguing this, but trying to know other synths which envelopes are as snappy.

Gamma-UT · Post by **Gamma-UT** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 9:16 am

Want snappy bass (or anything really)? Use pitch modulation on the attack.

tristan- · Post by **tristan-** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 9:23 am

Gamma-UT wrote:Want snappy bass (or anything really)? Use pitch modulation on the attack.

I agree that it's one of the way to reach the result. Although for the sound I'm after nowadays the important thing is cutoff modulation. but still you need a quick envelope for that.

Another example would be Melda Power Synth. I saw the thread yesterday and installed the demo. It's a beast. Really powerful. but the envelopes are not what I consider snappy in the Virus/Sylenth1 vein (there's no specific control for envelope amount, but 'frequency range' which works differently).

george · Post by **george** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 9:26 am

Corona has 6 envelope curves so snappiness is highly guaranteed

Michael L · Post by **Michael L** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 9:29 am

Serum was designed for dance music and when first released all the patches had fast attacks and "snap" so you may like it.

do_androids_dream · Post by **do_androids_dream** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 9:30 am

I was rather impressed with T Force Alpha's filter envelope snap - had a chunky sort of sound rather than just feeling pinched and clicky with no solidity to it (like a lot of synths sound).

Here's a good video for the uninitiated - filter envelope snap heard on four well known synths both hard and soft (I didn't make this video). Clearly the Virus is a street ahead although taste does come into a little I guess. Sylenth is very good and Synth1 does a pretty good 'impersonation' but has very little 'solidity' when compared to the others.

Synthetic Wav · Post by **Synthetic Wav** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 9:38 am

Serum probably a good option , envelop is precise and the big plus is the osc, you can scult a saw the way you want it or use moog ect wavetable..

waldorf largo envelops have good snap too.

right now these 2 have some of the cleanest snap from the plugs i m thinking about but i probably forgot somes..

synth with mseg are your friend too , you can use a little hold stage and craft de decay curve the way you want easily

how the synth is dark / bright will probably matter too.. dark synth may not sound as detailed vs a more balanced synth with nice highs for the transient (for drums ect..)

Michael L · Post by **Michael L** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 9:42 am

For a distinctive sound with snap and more punch than Serum IMHO, check out WusikStation.
Also, listen to the demos on the MuLab website and try the free version of Mux.

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 9:47 am

Clearly Synth1 is streets ahead in that video. Very impressive.

db3 · Post by **db3** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 9:52 am

tristan- wrote:I want the sound to decay very quickly from high to low cutoff position. I achieve very nice results with both Dune 2 and Sylenth1. I tested Spire on that regard and it doesn't give me those results.
I actually look for that "click", if I understand your definition of clicky..

If I understand correctly, do you mean this kind of "clicky"?
https://app.box.com/s/ea9vyclzsjsajphoj4fth3gtt4uibmot

This is just a simple saw in Spire with the cutoff amount having a short decay.

Synths with the snappiest envelopes