Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version

Sacred Synthesis

Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version
« on: September 24, 2019, 07:56:33 AM »
This thread is for multi-track recordings of any length and complexity made with a single synthesizer.

- Any brand or model can be used, monophonic or polyphonic
- Only one instrument can be used, although multiple units of the identical synthesizer can be linked together
- The recordings can be made with as many tracks as the synthesist wishes, but from only one keyboard and panel
- External and onboard effects can be used
- Each synthesist can contribute any number of recordings
- This is not a competition, but a friendly sharing
« Last Edit: September 24, 2019, 08:44:24 AM by Sacred Synthesis »

Razmo

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Re: Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2019, 09:52:34 AM »
I just got the Pittsburgh Microvolt 3900, and are still learning to tame it... it's a rather good sounding semimodular synth with lots of patchpoints, and some untraditional monosynth features like a waveshaper and some cool modulation sections.

Here a a quick try at making a single-synth multitrack with it, including some instances of ValhallaDSP Shimmer og Übermod... nothing else really. It's a mixture of Ambient and Berlin School. It was quickly done, so I had some troubles controlling the distortions in some places... anyway it is just a shot at using this one synth

http://razmo.ziphoid.com/Microvolt3900.mp3
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Re: Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2019, 03:34:27 PM »
I was ready for this! I've been doing synth-vs-synth battles for the last couple years and have finally made a SC page specifically for such. I apologize for breaking one of the rules - while each version of my song is performed on one synth only, all tracks share the same drum track, which is comprised of sampled Drumtraks.

All versions of the song use the same MIDI files, so the parts are identical. Only the solos are performed live, per track. A bit of EQ, and a touch of delay sometimes, but these recordings are meant to show the synth off in the wild.

https://soundcloud.com/user-183191566/sets

Gerry Havinga

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Re: Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version
« Reply #3 on: September 29, 2019, 08:59:04 AM »
Never enough time to have fun with a real challenge. My take on single synth, the Prophet X, dual layered. Inspired by 70's/80's old school Klaus Schulze.

6 track recording (three stereo tracks), live recording in the studio. Some post processing using Neutron 8 Elements and mastering Ozone 8 elements.

Prophet X layer A is playing along with a Boss RV-500 effect, which I tap on hold to create the drone. I play the Prophet X layer A myself. Layer A is using a mangled Bass Clarinet sample from the Effect types. LFO is driving the center of the loop point. I added a touch of supersaw and used my favorite trick to modulate the left and right filters independently using two LFOs. Manual modulation of the filter cutoff, decimate and BBD Delay effect time (param 1).

Prophet X layer B is an Alluphone Mallet sample which I mangle manually from the Schrittmacher driving the filter, decimate and effect mix. Schrittmacher is playing layer B, looping different note variations.

I'd like to spent more time on this track, flesh it out more, make the Schrittmacher follow the progression. But time is precious and the weekend is almost over. So here we are, enjoy.

https://soundcloud.com/gezz_havinga/sequential-challenge-one-synth-only-take3-master
DAW-less and going down the Eurorack rabbit hole.

Razmo

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Re: Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version
« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2019, 12:12:55 PM »
Here are a few single synth with multiple tracks taken.

http://razmo.ziphoid.com/MoonlightPond.mp3

Made with Yamaha EX5 and Lexicon MX400 FX processor.

http://razmo.ziphoid.com/Horror.mp3

Made with Roland V-Synth GT and an external reverb I cannot remember.

http://razmo.ziphoid.com/TheSwamp.mp3

Made with Clavia Nord Modular G1 and Lexicon MX400
If you need me, follow the shadows...

Re: Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version
« Reply #5 on: October 08, 2019, 02:52:20 PM »
All versions of the song use the same MIDI files, so the parts are identical. Only the solos are performed live, per track. A bit of EQ, and a touch of delay sometimes, but these recordings are meant to show the synth off in the wild.

https://soundcloud.com/user-183191566/sets

Curious as the composer/performer/producer, what's your take on the differences on the Prophet 5 vs the Prophet 6?
Prophet 12, Modal 002, MFB Dominion 1, Behringer DeepMind 12D, Korg Polysix & EX-8000, Roland JX-8P, Ensoniq SQ-80, Kawai K3m and now an OB-6!

Re: Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version
« Reply #6 on: October 09, 2019, 11:55:53 PM »
All versions of the song use the same MIDI files, so the parts are identical. Only the solos are performed live, per track. A bit of EQ, and a touch of delay sometimes, but these recordings are meant to show the synth off in the wild.

https://soundcloud.com/user-183191566/sets

Curious as the composer/performer/producer, what's your take on the differences on the Prophet 5 vs the Prophet 6?

My P6 lives in Berlin, and the P5 belongs to my girlfriend in California, so the two synths are never in the same room. I'd love to have them side by side someday, instead of two months and two airplanes apart.

Anyway, to answer... the P5 is always immediate and easy for me, and gorgeous. If I know the sort of sound I'm needing - something basic like bass or a chordal pad, maybe - I can get close to it within a minute. And it has such a loose, living quality. Way back when I first had a P5, I always felt I could hear the wood and metal. I'm absolutely a fan of subjective experience when it comes to synths. The P5 is magic for me. It gives me a very certain feeling that transcends any interest in filter chips I might barely have. It sounds and feels vibrant in a track, it simply has Thang.

The P6 is much fussier - much cleaner. I went through a period of doing what I could to make it as much a P5 as I could... running it in mono into an analog chorus. I mean, that sounded amazing, but trying to make it be what it wasn't got old. I've picked up many tips from this forum and elsewhere and have gone back to the P6 with renewed interest and love. I do wish the oscillators could be blurred, this always strikes me, but the P6 is capable of beautiful sounds. Truly. "Different" than the P5. Sounds from a new future, perhaps.

I do a bit of reverse-engineering once in a while, using the P6 to recreate P5 patches or playing "match the patch" with my Pro One, which lives only feet apart from the P6. I can usually get a very close result, sometimes nailing it, minus that wavery blur in the oscs.

In the examples I posted on SC, the P5 and the Juno were the synths that captured the feel of the song with the least amount of fuss. Maybe because the song is itself from the 80s? Now that I'm back in Berlin, I want to go back to the track and re-do it with the P6, aiming for a blurrier sound. We'll see!

Re: Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version
« Reply #7 on: November 17, 2019, 01:18:45 PM »
This is all Prophet 12, except the crash cymbal and bass drum.

https://soundcloud.com/wavescape-1/new-renaissance
Sequential/DSI Equipment: Poly Evolver Keyboard, Evolver desktop,   Pro-2, Pro-3, OB6, P-12,
 

https://Soundcloud.com/wavescape-1

Re: Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version
« Reply #8 on: November 29, 2019, 11:42:43 AM »
This is done entirely with the Modor NF1m synth.

https://soundcloud.com/wavescape-1/where-the-oak-stood
Sequential/DSI Equipment: Poly Evolver Keyboard, Evolver desktop,   Pro-2, Pro-3, OB6, P-12,
 

https://Soundcloud.com/wavescape-1

Re: Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version
« Reply #9 on: December 15, 2019, 01:04:59 PM »
Some 1 synth demos that didn't quite get finished for one reason or another.

"Our Minitaur" All Moog Minitaur, even the drums. The one shot drum hits were sampled into Steinberg's GrooveAgent.
https://soundcloud.com/rotundness/our-minitaur-all-mt

"Listening Centers" This song is all Prophet Rev2, even the drums.
https://soundcloud.com/rotundness/listening-centers-all-rev2

"OB-6 Soundscape"
https://soundcloud.com/rotundness/soundscape-all-ob-6

"Drone Number 4" This song is all Sub 37.
https://soundcloud.com/rotundness/drone-number-4-all-sub37

"All Fmonsta" This song is all Prologue and the 3rd party oscillator Fmonsta by DirtboxSynth. Even the drums. We didn't even use the VCOs.
https://soundcloud.com/rotundness/all-fmonsta-all-prologue

S Y Z Y G Y X

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Re: Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version
« Reply #10 on: December 23, 2019, 12:06:38 PM »
Happy to post up a track from us in which all sounds in it except for the drums are from our 8 voice Prophet Rev2!

https://youtu.be/jL_J6wZJ-CE
SEQUENTIAL Pro 3, DSI Prophet 12, DSI Prophet Rev2-8, Moog Subsequent 37, Roland Alpha Juno 2, Novation Bass Station 2, BOSS VE500, MOTU Micro Lite, AKAI APC240 MKII, SSL Fusion, UAD Apollo X6, MacBook Pro 2017, ADAM A7X Monitors, Logic X
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Re: Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version
« Reply #11 on: April 17, 2020, 02:30:32 PM »
I made this entirely with the Tempest recently. Ironically, no drums though.

There's no overdubbing, so it's technically a single track? But it's arranged in a multitimbral fashion, so not sure if it should go here or in the other thread.

https://soundcloud.com/ustbc/200326-0003b
« Last Edit: April 17, 2020, 02:35:54 PM by grayxr »

blewis

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Re: Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version
« Reply #12 on: May 03, 2020, 09:32:15 AM »
Never finished this, but gave up on finishing it... An instrumental cover of Bowie's Lazarus.

All instruments are sequenced Prophet-X factory samples (with some preset work). Drums on from the Akai MPC Live (used as the whole song sequencer). I couldn't be bothered to figure out how to address the drum sample notes from the MPC pads, so I used the Live's drum samples.

Mixed down in UAD's Luna. Some compression and room on the drums added. Bus compression and 1/4" tape emulation on the master bus.

https://soundcloud.com/bran13/bowie-lazarus-instrumental-cover

No real instruments were harmed in making this.  :o

Re: Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version
« Reply #13 on: May 03, 2020, 12:45:36 PM »
Never finished this, but gave up on finishing it... An instrumental cover of Bowie's Lazarus.

All instruments are sequenced Prophet-X factory samples (with some preset work). Drums on from the Akai MPC Live (used as the whole song sequencer). I couldn't be bothered to figure out how to address the drum sample notes from the MPC pads, so I used the Live's drum samples.

Mixed down in UAD's Luna. Some compression and room on the drums added. Bus compression and 1/4" tape emulation on the master bus.

https://soundcloud.com/bran13/bowie-lazarus-instrumental-cover

No real instruments were harmed in making this.  :o

Very impressive and very appreciated. I was in Berlin when he died and heard Blackstar for the first time in the hours after his death. I listened to it nonstop in headphones for weeks. Anyway, a very well done cover of a great track. Thank you.

Re: Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version
« Reply #14 on: May 10, 2020, 06:27:04 PM »
Here's a live loop session using the Pro3, along with TR-8S drums.   Just noodling around, testing out sound designs in a mix context.   I've been really enjoying programming on the Pro3... so much versatility with the three filter choices, and the giant mod matrix allows for really deep sound design with lots of nuances up and down the keybed. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIYB4UlCEyw

OB-X8, Pro 3, P6, Rev2, Take 5, 3rd Wave, Deepmind, PolyBrute, Sub 37
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Re: Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version
« Reply #15 on: October 04, 2020, 02:37:29 AM »
Here is a MoPho only track:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tlTmMDGxpD8
solidtrax - patches for effects and synthesizers
www - https://www.solidtrax.nl
demos - https://www.soundcloud.com/solidtrax

jok3r

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Re: Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version
« Reply #17 on: December 29, 2020, 12:51:34 PM »
Here is a MoPho only track:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tlTmMDGxpD8
I like this!

Thanks! Perhaps, if you are interested, the sounds used in this demo are on sale on our website.
solidtrax - patches for effects and synthesizers
www - https://www.solidtrax.nl
demos - https://www.soundcloud.com/solidtrax

Re: Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version
« Reply #18 on: January 01, 2021, 04:51:13 PM »
Assuming I get the file attached, here is a "song" done with the Prophet 6 playing all parts ... well all except percussion. Since it seems to be standard practice on this thread, I also cheated on the drums. My wife played a drum track for me on our super cheap v-drum kit; I rendered it with some kit in Logic Pro. The other parts (bass, cheesy melody line, stringy, synthy bits) are all from the Prophet 6. In the "final" version, I use a sampled string/violin patch from the Nord Stage 3 that, to my ears, sounds better. But in the spirit of the "single synth" aspect, the attached version uses my attempt at a string patch for the middle verse.

It's the first intentional song I have "written", so it goes without saying that it is totally lame (does it even count as a song with only 3 chords?). I also remember (after a multi year break of attempts to record things) that I suck at mixing and mastering. So don't expect much.

But ... wow it is so much fun to play with synthesizers and DAWs and fiddle with tunes and sounds.

Re: Single Synthesizer Challenge: Multi-Track Version
« Reply #19 on: August 08, 2021, 12:08:36 PM »
This done only with the Vermona MK2, assisted with a sequencer in parts.  Reverb is Strymon Big sky.   

Once in a while I break out the MK2 for some weird growls and effects you can get using the  Envelope generator for pitch. 

https://soundcloud.com/wavescape-1/soft-time
Sequential/DSI Equipment: Poly Evolver Keyboard, Evolver desktop,   Pro-2, Pro-3, OB6, P-12,
 

https://Soundcloud.com/wavescape-1