WHEN TO USE IT…

The USP of additive synthesis is that it can do a whole variety of things, but it specialises in dissonant drones, bell sounds and airy pads

If your synth has a partials editor, start by experimenting with how different arrangements sound. Randomly scattered ‘spikes’ of partials will create dissonant chime sounds. Creating ‘waves’ of partials that rise and fall across the spectrum will generate formant or vocal-like sounds. Try modulating the amplitude (level) of partials as a method for creating interesting pads.

Some synths, such as Arturia Pigments or NI’s Razor, simplify the additive creation process with tools that can arrange and modulate the distribution of partials without the need to edit everything from scratch yourself. Let’s see this in action…