The key to avoiding that cheesy 80’s sound is filter models that can have a drastic effect on reverb and delay to add a bit of slap-back and
to apply chorus in careful moderation. A little the perceived warmth and quality of your synth space to a synth sound. This effect can go a
bit goes a long way. Another tip is to avoid fast sound. long way towards spicing up an otherwise
straightforward sound.
rates for the chorus effect, as higher rate/speed
settings can also contribute to a dated-feeling IMPERFECTION effect. Lastly, old analog synths gained a lot of character TRAIN YOUR EAR
from their own imperfections. Because they While I can’t dive too deep down the rabbit trail
WARMTH were made up of analog components there of analog-style synthesis in an article like this,
Next let’s talk about another buzzword: was none of the razor precision that digital the three considerations above are great places
warmth. This is a term that guitarists and keys synth plug-ins are capable of today. The lack to start. If you’re still uncomfortable with exactly
players alike throw out all the time to describe a of imperfection in many digital plug-ins is what what you’re shooting for as the end goal but
tone or sound. Sometimes it seems like ‘warm’ leads to a sterile, lifeless synth sound. you know something is missing, then here’s
some homework for you.
really just means ‘this is a sound that I like’,
but the term actually does have meaning and As a sound designer and keys player who to understand that meaning we return to the wants their synth sounds to feel ‘real’ you can Find some popular worship music that features
original analog synths. Many of these synths lean into and purposefully create or highlight synth parts that inspire you and try to listen for
used components that resulted in natural imperfections and inconsistencies in your chorus, warmth, and imperfections in those
overdrive or tube warmth, similar to old tube synth sounds. You can do this in a near infinite synth sounds. Take the time to train your ear to
guitar amplifiers. As the analog synth processed number of ways, just dependent upon the notice how those effects influence the way you
the audio, the natural flavor and saturation of software of your choice. hear the sound and then you’ll be well on your
way towards adding those qualities to your own
the internal components gave the end result
that warm, smooth, and pleasing timbre.
To give you a few places to start, consider
keys sounds.
modulating the attack, decay, sustain, release
In the digital software world, you can emulate or even the pitch of your synth sounds slightly
this warmth by using plug-ins like a tube via a random LFO to add a bit of inconsistency
saturator or light overdrive effect, quality to the way the sound is generated. Many
compression effects, and by using EQ to accent software’s also include randomizer plug-ins
pleasing frequencies and cut unpleasant ones. that you can map to common parameters to
Many digital synth plugi-ns also include different add in little quirks. I’m also a huge fan of using
October 2019
David Pfaltzgraff
Founder
and
Lead
Sound
Designer
at
SundaySounds.com, a site that resources worship
keys players and guitarists around the world.
David currently resides in Des Moines, IA with his
wife and two boys. He enjoys volunteering in his
church’s worship ministry, old synthesizers, and a
good super-hero movie.
SundaySounds.com
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