Using the Multi-Engine
The Multi-Engine is a whole sound compendium in itself; you can make sounds with it exclusively or use it in addition to the two VCOs. Our advice is to devote some time to exploring it in isolation, as its scope is huge!
First off, listen to the different characters of the noise options on offer in noise mode. Each type (high, low, peak, decimate) can add varying texture and air to VCO-based sounds, or you can use the LFO or sequencer to modulate the shape parameter of each noise type for evolving noise-based sounds and atmospheres. Using noise, some filter resonance plus delay or reverb is a great recipe for killer transition sounds and up or down sweeps during a live set (and you can shape the transient of each noise type using the ADSR or AD envelope set to filter cutoff too). In particular, listen to the effect the filter/shape control imparts on each noise type. Further to this, try noise with the modulation effects; using one of the sweeping phaser effects or flangers with any one of the noise types (with some stereo delay) can sound amazing!
Moving on, VPM (Variable Phase Modulation) can be looked upon as its own synth, capable of classic FM tones. There are 16 types of oscillator and along with these, six further parameters that can be used to shape the oscillators (including noise modulation, ratio, feedback and an additional envelope generator). Sure, you can make DX-like electric pianos and other FM tones but you can really push things into more twisted, atonal territory too (and don’t forget to mess with the hidden ratio-offset parameter by holding shift and turning shape mod). As ever, when working with any new synth, try to push every single parameter to its extremes, then bring things back to a setting where they can be used musically or noisily!
For the user section, as on the Prologue, you can import third-party oscillators/effects and we’ve no doubt that developers are already porting existing Prologue user oscs/effects over for use in the XD. Some of our current favourites include those from developer Len on Github, or the Mutable Instrument Plaits oscillators port which give a vast array of sonics/ tones. The Plaits oscs include VA waves, wavetables, granular formants, 2-op FM, waveshaping and a harmonic oscillator, with a couple of tweakable parameters available for each wave-type (plus shape mod). A massive world of sound is available just using the Multi-Engine – its customisability will ensure the XD stays sonically fresh into the future.
Devote time to exploring the MultiEngine in isolation …its scope is huge!