Tutorial 01 - Simple Subtractive Synth with Keys
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2024 6:35 pm
For the first tutorial, we shall keep it simple, with a basic synth patch, and connect up the key controller for our first jam.
This image is the final patch, and we shall reproduce this step by step.
The final patch can be downloaded:
Start a new patch
- On the Toolbar select File,
- Select New
Placing the modules
- From the Tab, select modules to open the module library
The module library contains all the functional elements we use to make our patch. There are quite a few modules, presented in two formats, detailed and compact views. The detailed view shown above shows all the modules, a brief description, and a link to the relevant part of the user manual. This is very handy when learning new modules. A search bar is also provided for quicker access.
At the top of the module browser is a drop-down menu allowing the selection of the compact view, without descriptions or manual links. This is faster to use once you are familiar with the available options.
To place modules on the patch you can drag and drop to the desired location, or double-tap to put next to the currently selected module.
You can move modules within the patch by long-clicking on the modules panel within the patch, and then dragging to the desired location.
- Drag the modules from the module browser and place them in the patching component, to match the Image below.
Module descriptions
This looks like a lot of modules, especially if you are just starting your adventure into modular synthesis, each performing a single function.
The Keys module is our access to the virtual keyboard, it has a mini keyboard for use in the patching view, and a full-screen play area, shown in the outer tab as "iso keys", this name can be changed on the module panel.
The Sin Vco, is a Voltage Controlled Oscillator, our sound source.
The Filter is a multi-mode filter, which we shall be using in the most common format of a low-pass filter.
The Envelope module is used to control how sounds change over time, in this patch we shall be using it to control the volume of the sound, using the ADSR mode and the built-in VCA.
The VCA, Voltage Controlled Amplifier is also used to control the levels, using the velocity control. This also has a multi-channel meter, showing the level of signals per channel, in this case, the signal is polyphonic notes, if you play multiple notes you can see this.
The Sum module, combines all the polymorphic sounds into a single signal, as you would expect in a plugin instrument in a DAW.
The Plate Reverb module is used to place the sound in a space.
The Audio In Out is our interface to the audio, any signals at the input shall be played. This also has a multi-channel meter, this can be handy to check levels and the number of channels being played and identify any missing sum modules that may be needed.
Connecting the audio cables
The colour of the cable can be selected on the toolbar, clicking on the coloured jack on the toolbar, will show five colour options. The colour of the cable is for the user, they are all the same to the application.
In our examples, we shall use Red for audio, Yellow for pitch, Green for triggers and clocks, and Blue for control voltages. A fifth colour is provided for other common schemes.
Output ports on a module are all indicated by a white square. Multiple cables can be connected to an output, but only a single cable can be connected to an input.
To place a cable select the colour from the toolbar, then long press on the port and drag to an input. While you move cables the ports will enlarge to indicate you can connect the cable. If you wish to move a cable you can drag the end of the cable to the new port. To remove a cable start to drag an end, and drop when not over a port.
- Place all the red cables as shown in the above image.
Placing the signal cables
We have four cables left to place. We need to send the information from our key modules. V/oct or Volts per Octave is the modular term for pitch, first, we select the yellow jack from the toolbar and draw a cable from the Voct output on the keys module to the Voct input on the Sin Vco. Next, we need to connect the not start and stop, called Gate, select a green cable, and connect the Gate output on the Keys modules, to the Gate input on the Envelope Module.
At this point we can start to play the patch, have a go on the mini keyboard, and try out the large play area by selecting the "iso keys" tab, you can always get back to the current screen by selecting the "Patch" Tab.
Just two more connections are what will make our patch expressive. Select the blue cable from the toolbar. Draw a cable from the velocity output on the keys module to the level input on the VCA. When we control a parameter with a signal, we refer to this signal as a CV or Control Voltage. The amount of influence the CV signal has on the parameter can be controlled by the small knob above the input, these are known as attenuverters, turn this one clockwise to about 3 o clock.
The final connection shall be for what would classicly be called aftertouch or pressure, for this patch we shall use it to control the filter cutoff. Still using a blue cable, draw from the Pressure output on the keys module to the Cutoff input on the filter. Turn the attenuverter on the filter all the way clockwise, and turn the large Cutoff knob most of the way anticlockwise. We also need a harmonically rich signal for the filter to act on, so turn the large Feeback knob on the Sin Vco fully clockwise.
Saving you work
On the toolbar, click on the file button, then Save As. A file browser will appear where you can select a name for your patch. Once a patch has been initially saved it is then auto-saved. If you want to keep versions of your patch as you progress, keep saving using new filenames.
Add controls to the top parameter bar
There can be a lot of controls in a modular patch, and it is an amazing feeling to be able to play all of these live on a hardware modular synth, however, we only have the area of a touch screen, so it is important to pick the controls you would like to play during a performance, and add them to the top parameter bar, for easy access both when working on patches and performing using one of the play areas.
At the top right corner of the app, is a large edit button, press this, and the top bar will turn red, indicating it is in edit mode. To add a parameter select a cell, it will turn bright red, then turn the parameter knob you wish to link, in this case, it shall be the large Attack knob on the envelope.
Repeat this process to add controls for the other large knobs on the Envelope model, Decay, Sustain, and Release.
Parameters can be removed from the top bar, by entering edit mode and double-tapping the control in the top bar.
Performing with our first patch
We had a brief play earlier before we had connected the expressive controls, but now let's look at the Keys full-screen play area in more detail. Click on the "iso keys" tab, this will show the full-screen play area.
The keys module is an isomorphic keyboard, this works much better on a touch screen than a piano-style keyboard and has been used by many touch-screen applications. It is also the same as the first four strings on a guitar in standard tuning. The play area is divided into six rows, and the pitch spacing between rows is consistent, so once you know the shape of a chord or scale, you can then use that shape anywhere. The interval for this space is controlled with the Spacing switch, Fourths are common, and the default, Fifths and Octaves are also given.
The base Octave can be set, by default 0 is tuned to middle C, and a setting of -3 as shown will play bass notes.
The Root and Scale controls, do not affect the performance of the play area, but adjust the green keys, these are presented as a guide as to where to play, although the grey keys still play.
The Polycount controls the maximum number of notes playable simultaneously, increasing this will also use more processing power, so it is best practice to set a value no higher than needed in a performance.
Notes can be bent by moving your finger in a horizontal position. When the Pinch control is turned on, notes that are not currently sliding are snapped to the nearest note.
The velocity is controlled by the vertical placement within a key of the initial press, variation in this verticle position once pressed controls the pressure output, in this example the filter cutoff.
Have a play, get creative, it is a mixture of playing keys and slide guitar, and use the top parameter controls.
Final notes
A Good way to learn modular synths is to experiment, try connecting the pressure control to the Sin Vco feedback, filter resonance, or any other parameter, just move the cable, and adjust the attenuverter to taste. We have come a long way with this first example, covering the placement of modules from the library, how to find the documentation, identifying ports, adding moving & removing cables, controlling parameters with CV signals, and the use of play surfaces. I hope you have fun.
This image is the final patch, and we shall reproduce this step by step.
The final patch can be downloaded:
- 07-Example-01-Final-Patch.PNG (238.37 KiB) Viewed 183 times
Start a new patch
- On the Toolbar select File,
- Select New
Placing the modules
- From the Tab, select modules to open the module library
- 00-Example-01-Details-Browser.PNG (154.69 KiB) Viewed 184 times
At the top of the module browser is a drop-down menu allowing the selection of the compact view, without descriptions or manual links. This is faster to use once you are familiar with the available options.
- 01-Example-01-Compact-Browser.PNG (232.93 KiB) Viewed 183 times
You can move modules within the patch by long-clicking on the modules panel within the patch, and then dragging to the desired location.
- Drag the modules from the module browser and place them in the patching component, to match the Image below.
- 02-Example-01-Drag Modules.PNG (207.61 KiB) Viewed 183 times
This looks like a lot of modules, especially if you are just starting your adventure into modular synthesis, each performing a single function.
The Keys module is our access to the virtual keyboard, it has a mini keyboard for use in the patching view, and a full-screen play area, shown in the outer tab as "iso keys", this name can be changed on the module panel.
The Sin Vco, is a Voltage Controlled Oscillator, our sound source.
The Filter is a multi-mode filter, which we shall be using in the most common format of a low-pass filter.
The Envelope module is used to control how sounds change over time, in this patch we shall be using it to control the volume of the sound, using the ADSR mode and the built-in VCA.
The VCA, Voltage Controlled Amplifier is also used to control the levels, using the velocity control. This also has a multi-channel meter, showing the level of signals per channel, in this case, the signal is polyphonic notes, if you play multiple notes you can see this.
The Sum module, combines all the polymorphic sounds into a single signal, as you would expect in a plugin instrument in a DAW.
The Plate Reverb module is used to place the sound in a space.
The Audio In Out is our interface to the audio, any signals at the input shall be played. This also has a multi-channel meter, this can be handy to check levels and the number of channels being played and identify any missing sum modules that may be needed.
Connecting the audio cables
- 03-Example-01-Audio-Cables.PNG (215.02 KiB) Viewed 183 times
In our examples, we shall use Red for audio, Yellow for pitch, Green for triggers and clocks, and Blue for control voltages. A fifth colour is provided for other common schemes.
Output ports on a module are all indicated by a white square. Multiple cables can be connected to an output, but only a single cable can be connected to an input.
To place a cable select the colour from the toolbar, then long press on the port and drag to an input. While you move cables the ports will enlarge to indicate you can connect the cable. If you wish to move a cable you can drag the end of the cable to the new port. To remove a cable start to drag an end, and drop when not over a port.
- Place all the red cables as shown in the above image.
Placing the signal cables
- 04-Example-01-All-Cables.PNG (231.02 KiB) Viewed 183 times
At this point we can start to play the patch, have a go on the mini keyboard, and try out the large play area by selecting the "iso keys" tab, you can always get back to the current screen by selecting the "Patch" Tab.
Just two more connections are what will make our patch expressive. Select the blue cable from the toolbar. Draw a cable from the velocity output on the keys module to the level input on the VCA. When we control a parameter with a signal, we refer to this signal as a CV or Control Voltage. The amount of influence the CV signal has on the parameter can be controlled by the small knob above the input, these are known as attenuverters, turn this one clockwise to about 3 o clock.
The final connection shall be for what would classicly be called aftertouch or pressure, for this patch we shall use it to control the filter cutoff. Still using a blue cable, draw from the Pressure output on the keys module to the Cutoff input on the filter. Turn the attenuverter on the filter all the way clockwise, and turn the large Cutoff knob most of the way anticlockwise. We also need a harmonically rich signal for the filter to act on, so turn the large Feeback knob on the Sin Vco fully clockwise.
Saving you work
On the toolbar, click on the file button, then Save As. A file browser will appear where you can select a name for your patch. Once a patch has been initially saved it is then auto-saved. If you want to keep versions of your patch as you progress, keep saving using new filenames.
Add controls to the top parameter bar
There can be a lot of controls in a modular patch, and it is an amazing feeling to be able to play all of these live on a hardware modular synth, however, we only have the area of a touch screen, so it is important to pick the controls you would like to play during a performance, and add them to the top parameter bar, for easy access both when working on patches and performing using one of the play areas.
At the top right corner of the app, is a large edit button, press this, and the top bar will turn red, indicating it is in edit mode. To add a parameter select a cell, it will turn bright red, then turn the parameter knob you wish to link, in this case, it shall be the large Attack knob on the envelope.
- 05-Example-01-Top Param Empty.PNG (231.73 KiB) Viewed 183 times
Repeat this process to add controls for the other large knobs on the Envelope model, Decay, Sustain, and Release.
Parameters can be removed from the top bar, by entering edit mode and double-tapping the control in the top bar.
- 07-Example-01-Final-Patch.PNG (238.37 KiB) Viewed 183 times
Performing with our first patch
We had a brief play earlier before we had connected the expressive controls, but now let's look at the Keys full-screen play area in more detail. Click on the "iso keys" tab, this will show the full-screen play area.
- 08-Example-01-Keys.PNG (292.06 KiB) Viewed 181 times
The base Octave can be set, by default 0 is tuned to middle C, and a setting of -3 as shown will play bass notes.
The Root and Scale controls, do not affect the performance of the play area, but adjust the green keys, these are presented as a guide as to where to play, although the grey keys still play.
The Polycount controls the maximum number of notes playable simultaneously, increasing this will also use more processing power, so it is best practice to set a value no higher than needed in a performance.
Notes can be bent by moving your finger in a horizontal position. When the Pinch control is turned on, notes that are not currently sliding are snapped to the nearest note.
The velocity is controlled by the vertical placement within a key of the initial press, variation in this verticle position once pressed controls the pressure output, in this example the filter cutoff.
Have a play, get creative, it is a mixture of playing keys and slide guitar, and use the top parameter controls.
Final notes
A Good way to learn modular synths is to experiment, try connecting the pressure control to the Sin Vco feedback, filter resonance, or any other parameter, just move the cable, and adjust the attenuverter to taste. We have come a long way with this first example, covering the placement of modules from the library, how to find the documentation, identifying ports, adding moving & removing cables, controlling parameters with CV signals, and the use of play surfaces. I hope you have fun.