Programming a pad
> Step by step 1. How to program a pad with Synapse Dune CM
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Complex sounds usually have pretty simple beginnings, and here we’re going to create a simple but usable pad sound from scratch. To get started, load up a fresh instrument track with an instance of Dune CM and from the middle choose Bank B and an initialised patch. 2
Make sure that OSC 1 is set to its first setting (sawtooth) and that the other oscillators are turned down. Now head to the Unison section in the middle and set Voices to 4, Spread to 50% and Detune to 10%. You should now have a bright but rich and wide sound, ideal for turning into a nice pad. 3
The next stage is to tailor the sound so it has a nice pad-like envelope. Head to the Amp Envelope in the bottom right and adjust the Attack and Release to taste. We’ve set ours to 30% and 70% respectively. The Decay and Sustain can stay at their defaults (50% and
100%) respectively. 4
We still have a bright synth sound so let’s tailor this with the filter. Dune CM has some great filter options and here we need a low-pass — we’ve selected the LP Ladder 12dB. Make sure the Resonance is at zero and gradually increase the Cutoff from zero until you get the sound you’re after — 65% for us. 5
This usable, basic pad sound can easily be finessed further. Click on the Mod Matrix 1>12 button on the screen. See how velocity is already mapped to volume. Click in the Next Source slot and choose LFO 1 and then choose Osc 1 Fine as the destination and set the Amount to taste (+10 for us). 6
Now, sticking with the Mod Matrix, we can pan the voices. Using two slots, select Voice# as the source and Pan as destination. In the Voice column at the end choose Odd for one and Even for the other, then set the Amounts to +100 and -100 respectively. 7
To add depth we can add further oscillator layers. This can work very well with simple MIDI parts. First, wind in the sub OSC 3 (we’ve set it to 20%). As a second option, blend in Osc 2 using the Osc Mix control. We’ve set the Mix to 35% and Osc 2 to +12 semitones. 8
Returning to our single oscillator patch, there are a couple of other things to try. Firstly, switch the oscillator to square and use the Mod Matrix to connect LFO 1 to the Pulse Width. Secondly, simply use the Sel option to change the oscillator to one of the 69 further waveshapes, which each have their very own flavour. 9
Finally, it’s great to fine-tune the filter as we play and the easiest option is to assign it to the modwheel. Still in the Mod Matrix, select MWheel as the source and Filter Cutoff as the destination. You’ll now need to set the Mod Amount and the main Cutoff to taste. We’ve set ours to +61 and 25% respectively.