Francis Preve

Sound designer. Producer. Professor. Journalist. Author.

Filtering by Category: Ableton Live,Electronic Musician

Ultimate Guide to Ultimate Guides

After 20 years of writing tutorials and masterclasses for Electronic Musician, Keyboard, and Music Radar, I’ve posted a lot of instructional content since I redid this site in 2017. To make the blog easier to navigate for new visitors, I’ve collected all of my Music Radar and Electronic Musician guides into a single directory post.

Below are direct links to each of the masterclasses on my blog, some of which include downloadable presets and examples. Have at it!

Disquiet Junto Project 0471

Today is my first contribution to the Disquiet Junto initiative.

This is a link to the specifics for Disquiet Junto Project 0471.

https://disquiet.com/2021/01/07/disquiet-junto-project-0471-phase-transition/

Here’s the original recording. A single ice cube in a lead crystal tumbler (they ring!)

Here’s the finished experiment.

Here’s the downloadable Ableton Live 10 Project file.

Disquiet_Junto_0471_Ableton.zip

Have fun with it :)

Watch+Learn: Index 1 (2020.05.22)

Watch + Learn: House Bass 1 (Multiple)

House bass created using Operator and Phase Plant

Level: Intermediate

Platform: Ableton Operator, Kilohearts Phase Plant

Description: The “knocking” House bass sound that’s often used in Tech House, Future House, and Classic House.

Download Link to Preset:
Watch+Learn_AbletonPreset_HouseBass1

Download Link to Preset:
Watch+Learn_PhasePlant_HouseBass1

Watch + Learn: 808 Kick Bass (Universal)

808 Kick Bass starting points on three different softsynths: Serum, Phase Plant, and Operator.
[Note: Very low frequency content. Headphones or monitors required.]

Level: Beginner

Platforms: Ableton Operator, Xfer Serum, Kilohearts Phase Plant

Description: Recreation of the Roland TR-808 Kick Bass sound using multiple platforms. Additional customization with overdrive and distortion should be added by the user.

Download Ableton Operator 808 Kick Bass:
Watch+Learn_AbletonPreset_808KickBass

Download Xfer Serum 808 Kick Bass:
Watch+Learn_SerumPreset_808KickBass

Download Kilohearts Phase Plant 808 Kick Bass:
Watch+Learn_PhasePlant_808KickBass

Watch + Learn: Supersaw (Universal)

Supersaw starting points on four different softsynths: Serum, Phase Plant, Operator, and Wavetable.

Level: Beginner

Platform: Xfer Serum, Ableton Operator, Kilohearts Phase Plant, Ableton Wavetable

Description: The starting point for creating Supersaw chord stabs. Filter and effects are areas for customization.

Download Serum Supersaw: Watch+Learn_SerumPreset_Supersaw

Download Operator and Wavetable Supersaw: Watch+Learn_AbletonPresets_Supersaw

Download Phase Plant Supersaw: Watch+Learn_PP_Supersaw

Master Class: DSI OB-6

It’s no exaggeration to say that Dave Smith Instruments’ OB-6—a true collaboration with Tom Oberheim—has quickly become one of the most sought-after analog polysynths of the 21st century. By combining elements of Smith’s own Prophet 6 with the filter topology of the Oberheim SEM, the OB-6 is capable of textures that are unlike any other analog poly to date.

For this Music Radar Master Class, I won’t be rehashing the generalities of analog synthesis. Instead, the focus is on programming tricks and techniques that highlight the possibilities lurking within the OB- 6. It’s also worth noting that several of the tricks in this tutorial also apply to the Prophet 6, thanks to its similar architecture, so proud owners of that synth may find a few tidbits they can use as well.

LINK: https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-master-the-dave-smith-instruments-ob-6

Master Class: Korg/ARP Odyssey

Back in the early ’70s, the Moog vs. ARP “war” was just as passionate as the Mac vs. PC debate is today. At the time, the Minimoog and ARP Odyssey were the two dominant mainstream monosynths. On the Moog side, the Mini offered three oscillators, Bob’s massive filter, and ease of use. On the ARP side, the duophonic Odyssey included lowpass and highpass filters, hard sync, ring mod, and incredibly sophisticated modulation resources.

Korg’s ARP Odyssey re-issues are available in a tabletop version, a module version, and the Odyssei app.

Even now, the classic Odyssey’s features are capable of textures that we normally associate with modular gear, which makes sense as the Odyssey was basically a slimmed-down version of the 2600—arguably the synth that first brought modular to the masses. So with Korg’s reissue of the Odyssey available in three formats (keyboard, module, and the Odyssei iOS app), my Music Radar masterclass takes a closer look at its vast capabilities, using the tabletop version as our frame of reference.

LINK: https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-the-korg-arp-odyssey

Master Class: Vocoders

Wendy Carlos recorded the first mainstream performance of a vocoder for her soundtrack to Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange, using a 10-band version she developed with Bob Moog in 1970. From there, it was quickly established as a featured component for countless pop, funk, and dance hits—and is often confused with an effect known as the talk box, which is an entirely different method for embossing the characteristics of the human voice onto a musical performance.

Over the past 45 years, there have been many successful vocoders—both hardware and software. The earliest hardware units from Bode, Roland, Moog and Korg found their way into top artists’ studios. Nowadays, software versions are baked into leading DAWs from Ableton, Apple, and Propellerhead, to name a few.

Although vocoders are typically used for creating “robot vocals,” they are capable of generating a wide variety of effects. But to get the most from this unique processor, it is essential to understand how a vocoder works. Here’s my essential guide for Music Radar.

LINK: https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-vocoders-a-complete-guide

Master Class: Roland TR-8S

 

With the introduction of the TR-8S, Roland not only advanced the popular TR-8’s sequencing tools and iconic sound, but added sample import (via SD card) and expanded its editing features to a point where it truly is an instrument in its own right. Between performance-oriented patterns and sophisticated sound design amenities, you’ll get the most from this beast once you understand how to mold its sonic resources to match your artistic identity.

I'm also testing the waters for expanding this blog to include downloadable presets and examples for selected educational material. If you already own a TR-8S, below is a link to two original kits (with patterns) based on custom analog drum samples I created last month.

Master Class Link: https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-master-the-roland-tr-8s

Download the TR-8S kit/patterns  [Instructions included]