The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

Jerry,

>Can anyone offer me any tips for a violin sound (especially envelope
>settings). I am thinking of a solo fiddle, not a string pad. I don't
>expect it to be realistic, just playable in a fun way.

I've never done a fiddle on the AN1x, but I have programmed the sound on 
various synths over the years, and here are some thoughts:
    * If you're starting with a string-patch sort of sound, remove most, if 
not all, of the chorus and detune from the sound.  A real violin has some 
interesting phase relationships going on, but cyclical swirling isn't one 
of them.
    * Violinists/fiddlers use widely varying styles of bowing the 
strings.  I usually start with a very long attack on the notes, with 
velocity modulation added to shorten the attack of both the VCF and 
VCA.  This way, if notes are played softly, they are lightly/slowly bowed, 
while harder notes are quickly bowed.  The amount of modulation varies, 
depending on the player's technique, so you'll need to experiment 
here.  Legato mode may help, too, as the first note of a fast passage often 
has a much longer attack than following notes.
    * Pitch bending is a very important part of solo violining.  Portamento 
may provide the amount you need, but I rely on the pitch and ribbon 
controllers.  I usually set the pitch wheel for +/-12 steps, so that I can 
make those head-for-the-clouds bends at the end of a lick.
    * Solo violin playing relies heavily on vibrato, added in after the 
initial attack.  Some players use delayed vibrato only; others use the 
wheel or ribbon (Z-axis) to add it.
I hope this helps.

Regards,

-BW

--
Bruce Wahler
Design Consultant
Ashby Solutions"
www.ashbysolutions.com
CloneWheel Support Group moderator
978.386.7389  voice
978.964.0547 fax
bruce@...