Friday Tips: Synth + Sample Layering

One of my favorite techniques for larger-than-life sounds is layering a synthesizer waveform behind a sampled sound. For example, layering a sine wave along with piano or acoustic guitar, then mixing the sine wave subtly in the background, reinforces the fundamental. With either instrument, this can give a powerful low end. Layering a triangle wave with harp imparts more presence to sampled harps, and layering a triangle wave an octave lower with a female choir sounds like you've added a bunch of guys singing along.

Another favorite, which we'll cover in detail with this week's tip, is layering a sawtooth or pulse wave with strings. I like those syrupy, synthesized string sounds that were so popular back in the 70s, although I don't like the lack of realism. On the other hand, sampled strings are realistic, but aren't lush enough for my tastes. Combine the two, though, and you get lush realism. Here's how.

Create an instrument track with Presence, and call up the Violin Full preset.

Drag Mai Tai into the same track. You'll be asked if you want to Replace, Keep, or Combine. Choose Combine.

After choosing Combine, both instruments will be layered within the Instrument Editor (see above).

Program Mai Tai for a very basic sound, because it's there solely to provide reinforcement-a slight detuning of the oscillators, no filter modulation, very basic LFO settings to add a little vibrato and prevent too static a waveform, amplitude envelope and velocity that tracks the Presence sound as closely as possible, some reverb to create a more concert hall sound, etc. The screen shot shows the parameters used for this example. The only semi-fancy programming tricks were making one of the oscillators a pulse wave instead of a sawtooth, and panning the two oscillators very slightly off-center.

Adjust the Mai Tai's volume for the right mix-enough to supplement Presence, but not overwhelm it.

That's all there is to it. Listen to the audio example-first you'll hear only the Presence sound, then the two layers for a lusher, more synthetic vibe that also incorporates some of the realism of sampling. Happy orchestrating!

LINK:	http://blog.presonus.com/index.php/2019/03/08/friday-tips-synth-sample...
	See more stories from presonus

Most recent headlines