Re: [AN1x] disco strings
2005-02-09 by Ed Edwards
> > Yeah. One way would be to record multiple tracks, using a different > string patch for each track. When someone mentioned that real > orchestras were used for disco strings, it got me wondering if > anybody ever actually put together a "synth orchestra"; a large > number of people playing synths at same time. Not very practical, but > sure would be cool... Now you're on to something. Instead of actual people on multiple synths, you could try programming a patch sounding like a solo violin, but giving the VCO a slight randomness in pitch variance. Then the patch could have a random delay in the start of the VCO and the end of the envelope. This would give a "human" feel. Now you'd just sequence this, sending identical MIDI data each time you recorded. I suppose maybe 6 tracks or so would be enough to start to sound like an actual ensemble. Be careful to have any reverb or delay shut off in the initial recording and only add it later in the sequencer as a global effect for the entire group. Messy, difficult, but cool. Have any of you ever read about how Wendy Carlos programmed each sound for the Synergy synth? Here is a person who is a perfectionist maniac. It used additive synthesis, which, if you've ever used it or read about it, is insanely difficult to get good sounds from. Simplified, it uses multiple sine waves with varying parameters mixed together to form a complex sound. Decisions, decisions: should I program a patch for 4 hours or practice? (I'll take the latter.)