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5. Virtual analogue synthesis with Audiaire Zone

1 Let’s create a simple sawtooth patch using Audiaire’s sequencer-tastic Zone synth (9/10, 265). Set both Osc 1 and 2 to Saw, then Fine tune both apart by around 2.6 cents for a detuned effect. To shape the amplitude, set the Amp Env up with minimum Attack, maximum Decay and Sustain, and Release at 0.08.

2 Time to bolster and tweak our synth’s tone for maximum density and power. Turn the Sub Oscillator on, raise Level to 0.5, and swap it to a Sine shape for some clean weight; then flip to the Noise tab and turn up the Bacon noise type to halfway, giving the overall tone a crispy, fizzy top end.

3 The Filter’s Cutoff is half-closed by default, so quickly push that up to max to open out the patch’s full range of frequencies. Now to the top-right Unison section: call up 2 Voices, push Unison detune to 0.080, then Spread the two voices out to around 0.5 for stereo flavour. Lush indeed!

4 Next, head to the synth’s four-slot FX section for some reverb-like ambience. In the final FX 4 slot, call up the Rain Drop effect, then set Delay Time to the minimum 0.025s, Feedback to 1% and Mix to 0.15. While we’re here, slightly push up the three-band EQ’s High and Low gain knobs for more fizz and weight.

5 Let’s spice up our saw patch. Head to the Osc Mod section and choose the FM (Exp) mode, which is exponential FM – ie, cross modulation, as found on classic synths like the Roland Jupiter-8. High values give unmusical dissonance, but a subtle Amount below 0.1 results in lush, detuned-style thickness.

6 Sequencing is Zone’s speciality. Drag the Osc Mod Amount’s header bar to the main Sequencer lane and drop it there, creating a sequencer lane to control the parameter. After expanding this lane, draw in slight changes in Osc Mod Amount to create analogue-style fluctuation and drifting – subtle but effective.