Sequential Prophet X - Combining Samples and Synthesis; Blending Real and Synthesized Strings; Blending Contrasting Sounds

110 111Combining Samples and Synthesis
Sequential Prophet X User’s Guide
Combining Samples and Synthesis
Combining Samples and Synthesis
When you combine sampled instruments with oscillators and other synth
functions you can create instruments of considerable depth and richness.
Here are a few examples.
Blending Real and Synthesized Strings
This example mixes similar sounds for a thicker result.
To select sampled strings:
1. Recall the Basic Program.
2. For the moment, in the Mixer section, turn Oscillator 1 level down to 0.
(We’re going to work with the sampled instrument rst.)
3. In the Sample Playback section use the type knob to select strings and
use the instrument knob to select ensemble x short far.
4. Play a few notes and chords and listen to the instrument’s sound: a
small string ensemble with a vigorously bowed attack.
5. We want the raw, unltered sound, so disable the low-pass lter for the
sampled instrument by pressing Soft Button 2 to select the instr1 misc
menu tab, then turning Soft Knob 4 to enable lpf bypass.
Next, let’s add some synthesized strings to thicken the sound.
To add synth:
1. In the mixer section, turn the level of Oscillator 1 and Oscillator 2 to
50. (Refer to the display to see the values.)
2. Set both oscillators to super saw and set shape mod for osc 1 to -30 and
osc 2 to 30 to detune and thicken them.
3. With the Mixer parameters shown in the display, press Soft Button 2
to select panning, then set osc1 pan to -64L and osc2 pan to 63R for an
ultra-wide stereo spread.
4. In the oscillators section, set slop 1&2 to 15 to add a little analog-
style oscillator drift.
5. In the filter section, set cutoff to 12, resonance to 0, and drive to 86.
6. In the filter envelope section, set the env amount to 80, the attack to
11, decay to 65, sustain to 0, and release to 35.
7. Enable lter touch sensitivity by pressing and enabling the velocity
button.
8. In the amp envelope section, set the env amount to 127, the attack to 0,
decay to 95, sustain to 0, and release to 35.
9. Enable volume touch sensitivity by pressing and enabling the velocity
button.
10. Play a few notes and chords and listen to the instrument’s sound: a
thicker string ensemble with the vigorous attack of the sampled instru-
ment intact
11. Now set the pitch of oscillator 1 and oscillator 2 to C3 and play a few
chords. The ensemble sounds even bigger because the synth part is an
octave higher.
To add effects:
1. In the effects section, press the effect 1 button.
2. Turn the effect type knob and select super plate.
3. Set mix to 45, then set parameter 1 (time) to 112, parameter 2 (tone) to
118, and parameter 3 (predelay) to 21.
4. Play some chords: a nice punchy string section.
Blending Contrasting Sounds
Now lets modify the previous sound by keeping the synth sound, but
changing the sampled instrument to something that contrasts more with
the synth part.
To change the instrument again:
1. In the Sample Playback section use the type knob to select guitar and
use the instrument knob to select ukelele long finger.
2. Play a few notes and chords and listen: it’s completely different instru-
ment now.
3. In the Filter section turn resonance up to 116.
4. Play a few notes and chords: very different again.