Synth strings (8 variations)

[Eag]

A patch for doing string-like stuff. I'd tried one or two attempts at string patches before, and they didn't come out so well. Then, working on something entirely different, I stumbled across an envelope that I thought might work well for strings - so I thought I'd see where it went. This is the result.

8 variations here - a brief rundown of what they're like follows. Knob assignments are pretty complete, too. I find it's a bit easier to get good variations working principally with the control surface, hence the knob assignments.

Velocity morphing on volume and attack on all 8, iirc. You can control the minimum volume with the mod wheel, which can be handy if you want really in-your-face sound without having to pound. Even for sensitive parts, I've found it's best to keep the wheel at about 1/3, which probably means I have it mapped a little too low at the bottom. But then, flexibility is nice to have. Also, aftertouch will give you a bit more detune, for all these variations.

1) Pretty straightforward string sound. Works pretty well for moving parts. Tries to sound more like 'real' strings than some of the other variations.

2) More detuned. Much more lush - a pad proper. More aggressive attack, though, if you punch it.

3) A more realistic sound again. Slightly brighter and richer than var. 1.

4) Not unlike variation 3, but with slightly heavier detuning of the oscs. Just gives you one more pseudo-realistic string sound, with a slightly different tenor.

5) Lushness city. One osc down an octave, two in the normal range, and one up an octave. Really thick sounds with just a few notes.

6) Lands somewhere between 4 and 5, I guess. Not sure what else to say.

7) A very cheesy sound - the result of minimizing detunes. Overtones of fiddle, and could be used for rhythmic 'chop' parts, I think (my bluegrass background leaks out). Although the cheesiness might be overpowering even for that.

8) Departs the realism entirely. Very sci-fi, kinda gritty texture. For no particular reason you can morph the filter on this one with global mod wheel 1, assuming you're using the G2X.

Overall, I'm fairly happy with the way it turned out. The G2 is an amazing machine, and I'm pretty much in hog heaven twiddling with it.

Comments? Things you'd tweak (particularly for trying to get more realistic sounds)? I don't know tons about synthesis, so advice/interesting things to try are always welcome. As it currently stands, on the G2X I can get up to 32 voice polyphony, so there's definitely room to add stuff. I tried doing vibrato with LFOs, but didn't like the results I was getting... maybe I'm just missing something there.

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SynthStrings.pch2
Description:	woooo strings.	Download
Filename:	SynthStrings.pch2
Filesize:	2.35 KB
Downloaded:	2037 Time(s)

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[dorremifasol]

I like how those strings sounds, except for the chorus module which I specially hate, so I disconnect it as soon as I see one

[Blue Hell]

[Eag]

The chorus does have some audio properties I don't find entirely pleasant, but in this case, I thought it filled things out and gave a sound that was more like a real string section.

Being new to this whole modular synthesis thing: apart from detuning individual oscillators, what alternatives to the chorus module are there for thickening a sound?

I know there's probably a near-infinite number of techniques that could be used to do this, but what are some of your favorites?

Thanks for the responses!

[Blue Hell]

I wouldn't know about a near infinite number of ways

Detuned oscs is the only thing that springs to mind actually. This is more expensive DSP ways of course (the delay and detune based chorus effect is an optimization thingy originally).

I don't know what exactly it is that I don't like about the chorus module, maybe it's just that it is not modulated (usualy). For a natural chorus I'd expect the tones go closer to each other as time elapses (the effect to deminish), or maybe more complex types of synchroniztion.

Guess I should just try some patching now.

Otoh, maybe it's just the simultaneous movement of many sounds that I don't appreaciate. blocks of trumpets piercing through the cones spring to mind (for certain types of music). I might just like individuality better

My disliking of the chorus module was not an opinion about the patch BTW, just a general remark about the effect itself. For making "strings", especially when they should be "cheesy", the chorus module seems to be the right thing to use - if only from a historical perspective.

[dorremifasol]

Eag, I have made a simple modification to your patch. now it's doubled so it can cover the stereo field without using the (cough cough!) chorus module. I know it is much more DSP expensive but sounds more "real" and warm to my ears.

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synthstrings_duplex.pch2
Description:	Original sound by Eag, now doubled!	Download
Filename:	synthstrings_duplex.pch2
Filesize:	2.75 KB
Downloaded:	1847 Time(s)

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[Eag]

[jksuperstar]

Another simple trick (and a little less intense on DSP) is just using a simple delay one one channel (right or left, but not both).

In this patch, try variation one, then give it a little aftertouch. The delay will go up to about 3ms difference between L & R, and you'll hear the wider image.

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synthstrings_138.pch2
Description:		Download
Filename:	synthstrings_138.pch2
Filesize:	2.3 KB
Downloaded:	2096 Time(s)

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[davep]

[mosc]

Eag, sounds great to me. I don't mind chorus if used gently.

It took me a while to figure out what you did with the velocity. The mod wheel controls touch sensitivity. That's the first time I've come across that, but it is not unreasonable.

[Eag]