Synth block

Synth: supported by which Fractal Audio products?

• Axe-Fx II: yes.
• AX8: yes.
• FX8: yes.

What does the Synth block do?

• Cliff: "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." source

X/Y switching in the Synth block

• The Synth block doesn't support X/Y switching.

Synth note tracking

• The Synth block requires monophonic input. This means that you have play really clean, hitting single non-overlapping notes.

Warming up the Synth tone

• To warm up the Synth, add a Drive after it.

Fattening the Synth tone

• Use at least two voices and detune them slightly. source

Creating a drone note with the Synth

• Set Tracking to OFF. Adjust pitch with the Frequency parameter.
• You can change the pitch of sustained synth notes per scene by using Scene controllers.

Generating pink or white noise with the Synth

• The Synth block can generate white or pink noise.
• White noise in Wikipedia.
• Pink noise in Wikipedia.

Creating a calibration tone with the Synth

• Cliff's comments:
  • "Set the synth block to a 1K sine wave at -12 dB. Turn OUTPUT 1 to the maximum level position." 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." source

Synth examples

• Forum members Simeon and Swedish Chef have provided great synth presets. Search the forum and visit Axe-Change.

Various Synth tips

• Synthesizer in Wikipedia.