>Step by step

Making a three-element percussion part in Thorn CM

1 Here’s a kick drum, generated by Thorn CM, to which we’ll add a threelayer percussion line, also generated in a single instance of Thorn CM. Start by creating a new MIDI Track, loading Thorn CM onto it, raising the global Volume to 33% and programming a one-bar long C4 note to trigger the synth. 2 First, a 16th-note hi-hat. Thorn CM’s Noise oscillator, with its rich assortment of sampled sources, is ideal. Having muted Osc 1 and turned the Noise oscillator on, audition noise types for something ‘metallic’. Noise 7 fits the bill. Leave Loop active: we need a continuous sound from which to carve a rhythm. 3 Lower the Noise osc’s Volume to 0, and assign Multi-Stage Envelope 1 to modulate it. Set MSEG1’s Trigger to Mono Sync. Switch to Curve mode and draw a 16th-note sequence by right-clicking to add nodes, then dragging the nodes around to shape the envelope. Ensure your sequence is exactly 16 steps long. 4 Activate Osc 1 and assign MSEG2 to modulate its volume. Program a syncopated rhythm in Steps, then tour the oscillator waveforms and play with Position control, Spectral Effects and MSEG Gate time till you find something you like – I’ve picked Woody Square ( Position 86%, Comb 60%, Gate 80%). 5 For the third layer, assign LFO1 to Osc 2’ s fully lowered Volume control. Lower LFO1’ s Fade In to 0% and set trigger mode to Mono Sync. Set the waveshape to Random Step and Speed to 1/8 for a randomised eighth-note pattern. Again, explore the oscillator to find a percussive tone you like. 6 Lastly, play with the Glitch Sequencer to modulate repeats, filtering, sample rate, bit depth and gate time; and – with Amp Envelope’s Velocity parameter raised – program the Arpeggiator to control trigger velocity. Don’t touch the Arpeggiator’s Note lane, however, unless you want more melodic percussion.