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8. Synthesising a classic lead patch

1

So far, we've looked at creating basses, sequences, and even a kick drum – ie, everything you need to construct a modular backing track. The next step, then, should be obvious: a classic expressive lead sound, because sometimes you just want to play. You'll need a keyboard controller to get the most out of this one. Start a new patch. 2

Only the Favorites Library is visible at this point. To access the rest, go down to the lower-left and click All. Obviously, some Oscillators will be needed, so go ahead and add three of them to your rack. Route your CV Out's Pitch output to all three Oscillators' Keyb CV inputs. 3

Next, you'll need a Six-Input Mixer. Route the Square wave outputs of all three Oscillators into the first three Mixer channels. You'll need a Filter module, of course, but while you're at it, add a Distortion module between the Mixer and the Filter. Route the Mixer's Master Out into the Distortion's In and the Distortion's Out to the Filter's Audio In. 4

Add two Envelope Generators and an Amplifier. Patch the first Envelope's Env Out to the Filter's Freq Mod 1 jack, and the second's Env Out to the Amp's CV In. Route the Filter's LowPass Out to the Amplifier's In. Add a Delay and send the Amplifier's Out to its In. Send the Delay's Out to the Mains Out. 5

Send a Gate signal from the CV Out panel to the Envelopes. Before playing, set each Mixer channel's level to -10dB and the Distortion's Dist Amount to 10% or less. Just a little grit! Nudge the Amp Envelope's Release. Set Envelope 1's Decay and Sustain to just under half, and push its Release way up. 6

Reduce the Filter's Cutoff to around 300Hz. Push its Mod 1 Amount to 130% or so. Set Oscillator 3's Range to 8'. Set Oscillator 1's Frequency to -0.10 and Oscillator 2's to 0.10. Have a play. That's a nice, brassy lead sound! Give the Filter Resonance a little nudge. Nice!