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5. Spectral synthesis with Arturia CMI V

1 CMI V has a nifty synthesis engine called Spectral Synth. Somewhere between wave table and additive synthesis, it gives tons of potential for dynamic digital timbres. Start with the Default patch, then click the faux CRT monitor to edit. We’ll choose Spectral Synth mode.

3 The new waveform has a drastic impact on the timbre. Above the wave selection slot are a number of parameters with which to play. Try reducing Bias to reduce the emphasis on high frequencies. Likewise, reducing the Spread gives us a little more ‘oomph’ in the lower frequencies. Increasing the Center shifts the partial balance.

2 The Sarrar choir patch becomes a digital tone. Likewise, we now see 32 partials and a waveform display. Below the display, we see an Evolution module with unusual parameters and a place to choose the waveform which builds the sound – currently a sine. Choose Square instead.

4 Reduce the Envelope Attack to 0, and decrease Filter level. Click the Functions tab and choose a preset envelope for Function A (top right). Random1 is good. Click the Assign tab and note that Function A is quite active! Click its MAP button, then click on the Filter slider and drag right to assign the envelope to it.