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Synthesising a snare drum

1 Now that you’ve learned a few basic concepts like using envelope generators to control filter cutoff and amplitude, it’s time to see how they can be used to modulate pitch in order to make a convincing snare drum. This time around, we’re going to use ZebraCM. Load it up and call up the Zebra_INIT patch.

2 In some ways, ZebraCM is more limited than Dune CM. For instance, it only has two envelope generators – but that just means we need to be a bit clever about using them. Before we get to that, though, let’s choose the waveform for Oscillator 1. Turn Oscillator 1’s Wave knob until the display reads 3.00.

3 Play a few notes. This is a buzzy yet simple wave and will work nicely, but let’s reduce the Tune value to -12.00. We’re going to use an envelope generator to modulate this pitch. There’s an unassigned knob to the lower left of the Tune knob – click it and select Env 2 from the dropdown menu. Now turn the newly assigned knob up to 20.00.

4 Play and hold a note – the sound is pure Atari, but it’s a start. The envelope itself needs adjusting, so look to the envelope section. The top one (Env 1) is applied to the amplitude, while the bottom one (Env 2) is attached to the filter and, as of Step 3, the Tune knob of Oscillator 1. Turn Env 2’s Decay to around 46.00 and its Release to about 50.00.

5 If you were paying attention in the last tutorial, you’ll remember that we turned the amplitude envelope’s Sustain all the way down. We’re going to do that again here – drums have no steady state, after all! Move up to Env 1 and turn the Sustain fully counter-clockwise, then play a few notes. It’s already pretty close to a decent snare sound!

6 Now set Env 1’s Decay to a snappy 25.00 and its Release to 35.00. Audition the sound. That’s not bad – sort of a cross between a tom and a snare. Now it’s time to introduce the snares themselves. We’ll simulate them by bringing the Volume of the Noise up to 94.00. Play a couple of notes, both held and quickly released. Nice! Reduce Oscillator 1’s Volume to 52.00.

7 In ZebraCM’s filter, use the dropdown menu to select the LP Vintage mode. Reduce the Cutoff to about 48.00. Oops – can’t hear anything now! That’s because we’re going to use Env 2 to modulate the Cutoff. Turn the Env 2 knob up to 104.00, then set the Resonance to 13.00. This will add just the smallest amount of excitement to the snares.

8 Finally, we can beef up the sound with Oscillator 2. Set its Tune knob to -36.00. Assign Env 1 to the knob to the Tune’s lower left and turn it all the way up. Finally, bring in this oscillator by raising its Volume knob to 46.00. That’s got it! You can, of course, adjust your envelopes, volume levels and more for variations.