DOs & DON’Ts of Soundtrack Creation

DO: If you want your soft synths to ‘behave’ more like their analogue forebears, switch off internal effects like reverb or delay. Analogue synths might have featured doubling effects like Chorus and Ensemble effects but almost never included spatial effects.

DON’T: Use presets. The work explored through this article and the soundtracks mentioned celebrate original sound design. Be unique with your sounds and your productions will be stronger for it.

DO: If you’re working with plugin modular systems like NI Reaktor Blocks, Softube Modular or hardware Eurorack components, think creatively. Understanding synth modules and their ‘traditional’ flow is important, but once you’ve got basic theory mastered, be brave and look for unpredictable module connections.

DON’T: Worry that sounds generated from some external hardware can’t be controlled over MIDI. Celebrate the ‘inaccuracies’ of playing instruments live; as these are a huge part of synth soundtracks.