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Difference between revisions of "Synth block"

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[[image:synth.png|link=]]
+
__TOC__
 +
=Available on which products=
 +
 
 +
* '''Axe-Fx III''', '''VP4''': 2 blocks
 +
* '''FM9''', '''FM3''': 1 block
 +
* '''Axe-Fx II''': 2 blocks
 +
* '''AX8''', '''FX8''': 1 block
 +
 
 +
=Channels or X/Y=
 +
 
 +
* '''Axe-Fx III''', '''FM9''', '''FM3''', '''VP4''': 4 channels
 +
* '''Axe-Fx II''', '''AX8''', '''FX8''': no
 +
 
 +
=About the Synth block=
 +
 
 +
The Synth block requires monophonic input. It handles single notes only which means that you have to play VERY cleanly and avoid overlapping notes. If you don't, you'll hear ugly <q>chirps</q>.
  
__TOC__
+
See Wikipedia's <q>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthesizer Synthesizer]</q> article for more information.
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>
 +
'''FRACTAL AUDIO QUOTES'''
 +
<HR>
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>
 +
[http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/fishman-triple-play-axefx-ii.92984/#post-1117064]
 +
The Synth block is a very simple monophonic synth. It doesn't compare to the polyphonic capabilities of something like the FTP and it can't control outboard MIDI synths.
 +
</blockquote>
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>
 +
[https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/cant-get-the-synth-block-to-track-a-bass-low-e-12-09.162644/post-1949012]
 +
The lowest note detectable by the Synth block is 47 Hz. It is not intended for use with bass guitar.
 +
</blockquote>
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>
 +
[https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/synth-block-fixes-please.172912/post-2090488]
 +
The chirping is due to the pick attack being interpreted as a high pitch. One approach I've tried is dynamic filtering (i.e. alpha-beta trackers, etc.) for the pitch but that introduces other problems with the pitch sliding between notes. It's a limitation of the technology. Real-time pitch detection is simply limited in what it can do. The best solution is to alter your technique to minimize pick attack.
 +
</blockquote>
 +
</blockquote>
 +
 
 +
=Synth block diagram=
 +
 
 +
[[image:Synth diagram.png|250px]]
 +
 
 +
=Tips, tricks and troubleshooting=
 +
 
 +
==Factory presets==
 +
 
 +
The Synth block is showcased in a few factory presets. Search the [[Factory presets]] page for <q>synth</q>.
 +
 
 +
Forum members such as Simeon, Swedish Chef, and Admin M@ have created synth presets. Search the forum or visit [http://axechange.fractalaudio.com Axe-Change].
 +
 
 +
==No Global blocks==
 +
 
 +
The Synth block doesn't support [[Global blocks]].
 +
 
 +
==Lowering CPU usage==
 +
 
 +
The Synth has three voices. Turn off voices that you don't use to save CPU.
 +
 
 +
==Frequencies versus notes==
 +
 
 +
The synth uses frequencies in Hz instead of musical notes. A handy workaround is to set the frequency to 440Hz and use the Shift control to alter the notes.
 +
 
 +
See the Sound On Sound chart at the bottom of the [[EQ|EQ page]] for a handy note to frequency reference.
 +
 
 +
==Warming up the Synth==
 +
 
 +
To warm up / soften the sound of the synth, add a Drive block before or after it (try the RAT model).
 +
 
 +
==Fatter Synth==
 +
 
 +
To fatten the Synth, use at least two voices and detune them slightly. [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/the-synth-block.109523/#post-1310172]
 +
 
 +
==Drone note(s)==
 +
 
 +
# Turn off Voices 2 and 3.
 +
# Switch off Tracking for Voice 1 and adjust pitch with the Frequency parameter.
 +
 
 +
Tips:
 +
* Try the Sawtooth waveform.
 +
* Make the sound fatter by using two Synth voices set to the same frequency.
 +
* Make the sound less boring by adding a low-pass Filter with LFO-controlled Frequency.
 +
* Make the sound wider by adding a 100% wet Multi-Delay or Plex Delay set to Detune.
 +
* Change the pitch of the drone note, by switching the Synth between channels or by using [[Scene controllers]], attached to the Pitch or Shift parameter of the voice(s). Or just send the Synth into a Pitch block (changes the pitch of all voices).
 +
* Use the Sequencer controller to have the Synth block play lines.
 +
 
 +
Try this factory preset: [[Factory presets|FREMEN'S DRONE]]
 +
 
 +
==Pink or white noise==
 +
 
 +
The Synth block can generate [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_noise white noise] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_noise pink noise].
 +
 
 +
==Siren sound==
 +
 
 +
Select a Square waveform and attach an LFO to the FREQ parameter of a single voice. Add a lot of reverb.
 +
 
 +
==Test tone==
  
=Synth: supported by which Fractal Audio products?=
+
If you want to make sure that the hardware is capable of generating sound, create a simple test tone:
* Axe-Fx II: yes.
 
* AX8: yes.
 
* FX8: yes.
 
  
=What does the Synth block do?=
+
# Add a Synth block and connect it to the grid output.
* Cliff's comments:
+
# Select the Sine waveform and turn off Tracking.
** "The Synth block is a very simple monophonic synth. It doesn't compare to the polyphonic capabilities of something like the FTP and it can't control outboard MIDI synths." [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/92984-fishman-triple-play-axefx-ii.html#post1117064 source]
 
  
=X/Y switching in the Synth block=
+
==Calibration tone==
* The Synth block doesn't support X/Y switching.
 
  
=Synth note tracking=
+
<blockquote>
* The Synth block requires monophonic input. This means that you have play really clean, hitting single non-overlapping notes.
+
'''FRACTAL AUDIO QUOTES'''
 +
<HR>
  
=Warming up the Synth tone=
+
<blockquote>
* To warm up the Synth, add a Drive after it.
+
[http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/calibration-tone.109698/#post-1312732]
 +
Set the synth block to a 1K sine wave at -12 dB. Turn OUTPUT 1 to the maximum level position.
 +
</blockquote>
  
=Fattening the Synth tone=
+
<blockquote>
* Use at least two voices and detune them slightly. [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/the-synth-block.109523/#post-1310172 source]
+
[http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/calibration-tone.109698/#post-1312815]
 +
There's actually a hidden calibration tone that is used during functional test. The Synth block is reference quality. I use it all the time to generate test tones. The output is spectrally purer than my $2000 Stanford Research Systems Synthesized Function Generator.
 +
</blockquote>
  
=Creating a drone note with the Synth=
+
<blockquote>
* Set Tracking to OFF. Adjust pitch with the Frequency parameter.
+
[https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/fixed-strange-thing-going-on-with-af3.161697/post-1939099]
* You can change the pitch of sustained synth notes per scene by using [[Scene controllers]].
+
The Synth block is measurably better than our Stanford Research Systems generator (which cost $2000).
 +
</blockquote>
 +
</blockquote>
  
=Generating pink or white noise with the Synth=
+
==Metronome==
* The Synth block can generate white or pink noise.
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_noise White noise in Wikipedia.]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_noise Pink noise in Wikipedia.]
 
  
=Creating a calibration tone with the Synth=
+
Read <q>[[Metronome]]</q> for more information.
* Cliff's comments:
 
** "Set the synth block to a 1K sine wave at -12 dB. Turn OUTPUT 1 to the maximum level position." [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/calibration-tone.109698/#post-1312732 source]
 
** "There's actually a hidden calibration tone that is used during functional test but use the Synth block. The Synth block is reference quality. I use it all the time to generate test tones. The output is spectrally purer than my $2000 Stanford Research Systems Synthesized Function Generator." [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/calibration-tone.109698/#post-1312815 source]
 
  
=Synth examples=
+
=Videos=
* Forum members Simeon and Swedish Chef have provided great synth presets. [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/forum.php Search the forum] and [http://axechange.fractalaudio.com visit Axe-Change].
 
  
=Various Synth tips=
+
[[video:Butterfield-Synth]]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthesizer Synthesizer in Wikipedia.]
+
[[video:Leon-Synth-Lead]]
 +
[[video:Leon-Synth-Drones]]
 +
[[video:Leon-Synth-Feedback]]
 +
[[video:Rosh-Drone]]
  
[[category:Effect]]
+
[[category:Axe-Fx2]]
[[category:Axe-Fx]]
+
[[category:FM3]]
 +
[[category:FM9]]
 +
[[category:VP4]]
 +
[[category:Axe-Fx3]]
 
[[category:AX8]]
 
[[category:AX8]]
 
[[category:FX8]]
 
[[category:FX8]]
 +
[[category:Sounds]]
 +
[[category:All]]

Latest revision as of 19:25, 24 October 2024

Available on which products

  • Axe-Fx III, VP4: 2 blocks
  • FM9, FM3: 1 block
  • Axe-Fx II: 2 blocks
  • AX8, FX8: 1 block

Channels or X/Y

  • Axe-Fx III, FM9, FM3, VP4: 4 channels
  • Axe-Fx II, AX8, FX8: no

About the Synth block

The Synth block requires monophonic input. It handles single notes only which means that you have to play VERY cleanly and avoid overlapping notes. If you don't, you'll hear ugly chirps.

See Wikipedia's Synthesizer article for more information.

FRACTAL AUDIO QUOTES


[1] The Synth block is a very simple monophonic synth. It doesn't compare to the polyphonic capabilities of something like the FTP and it can't control outboard MIDI synths.

[2] The lowest note detectable by the Synth block is 47 Hz. It is not intended for use with bass guitar.

[3] The chirping is due to the pick attack being interpreted as a high pitch. One approach I've tried is dynamic filtering (i.e. alpha-beta trackers, etc.) for the pitch but that introduces other problems with the pitch sliding between notes. It's a limitation of the technology. Real-time pitch detection is simply limited in what it can do. The best solution is to alter your technique to minimize pick attack.

Synth block diagram

Synth diagram.png

Tips, tricks and troubleshooting

Factory presets

The Synth block is showcased in a few factory presets. Search the Factory presets page for synth.

Forum members such as Simeon, Swedish Chef, and Admin M@ have created synth presets. Search the forum or visit Axe-Change.

No Global blocks

The Synth block doesn't support Global blocks.

Lowering CPU usage

The Synth has three voices. Turn off voices that you don't use to save CPU.

Frequencies versus notes

The synth uses frequencies in Hz instead of musical notes. A handy workaround is to set the frequency to 440Hz and use the Shift control to alter the notes.

See the Sound On Sound chart at the bottom of the EQ page for a handy note to frequency reference.

Warming up the Synth

To warm up / soften the sound of the synth, add a Drive block before or after it (try the RAT model).

Fatter Synth

To fatten the Synth, use at least two voices and detune them slightly. [4]

Drone note(s)

  1. Turn off Voices 2 and 3.
  2. Switch off Tracking for Voice 1 and adjust pitch with the Frequency parameter.

Tips:

  • Try the Sawtooth waveform.
  • Make the sound fatter by using two Synth voices set to the same frequency.
  • Make the sound less boring by adding a low-pass Filter with LFO-controlled Frequency.
  • Make the sound wider by adding a 100% wet Multi-Delay or Plex Delay set to Detune.
  • Change the pitch of the drone note, by switching the Synth between channels or by using Scene controllers, attached to the Pitch or Shift parameter of the voice(s). Or just send the Synth into a Pitch block (changes the pitch of all voices).
  • Use the Sequencer controller to have the Synth block play lines.

Try this factory preset: FREMEN'S DRONE

Pink or white noise

The Synth block can generate white noise and pink noise.

Siren sound

Select a Square waveform and attach an LFO to the FREQ parameter of a single voice. Add a lot of reverb.

Test tone

If you want to make sure that the hardware is capable of generating sound, create a simple test tone:

  1. Add a Synth block and connect it to the grid output.
  2. Select the Sine waveform and turn off Tracking.

Calibration tone

FRACTAL AUDIO QUOTES


[5] Set the synth block to a 1K sine wave at -12 dB. Turn OUTPUT 1 to the maximum level position.

[6] There's actually a hidden calibration tone that is used during functional test. The Synth block is reference quality. I use it all the time to generate test tones. The output is spectrally purer than my $2000 Stanford Research Systems Synthesized Function Generator.

[7] The Synth block is measurably better than our Stanford Research Systems generator (which cost $2000).

Metronome

Read Metronome for more information.

Videos