New preset today... this time it was some experimentation that ended in this preset... I had no specific intention when I started out, other than studying the FX section more in detail to know exactly what the different algorithms do, and how they could be exploited
I was rather surprised with what I came up with, from a REALLY simple preset... the demo is 100% REV2, no external FX, and the first half is even 16voices (1 layer only), the second half used unison to make the sound even more insane.
The Reverb algorithm, when used 100% wet will turn any string into an almost orchestral string-section that to me sound rather convincing... not 100% (of course, we're dealing with an analog synth here), but very darn close to the orchestral "feel"... this patch is what you play for anyone with a Prophet 8, when they ask you why you like the REV2 more
I'm certainly going to use this trick for a LOT of string presets that need a bit more organic feel to them... I tried it with triangle waveforms too, and it instantly turned into a kind of flute-character church organ like sound, full of deep power and haunting overtones... (will be my next preset today).
This preset sounds so majestic, it instantly reminded me of huge army music for a fantasy movie, so i named the preset "War Strings"
http://razmo.ziphoid.com/WarStrings.mp3
I really like these types of simple yet effective synth techniques. And you can gets lots of mileage out of them. A few of variations I thought of while reading this:
1) increase your Reverb time and reduce your Reverb mix to 80% wet (or there abouts) — i think that would increase the lushness of your pad while maintaining your attack.
2) Stack mode — Layer A using a short Reverb that is 100%, and Layer B using a long Reverb set to 100%
3) Stack mode — Layer A using a chorus set to 100%, and Layer B using a long Reverb set to 100%.
4) Split mode — Layer A (left side?) a longRelease on the Amp Envelope and Reverb set at 100% for a pad sound, Layer B (right side) Reverb set to 70-80% and a short Amp Envelope Release for melody lines.
The permutations are almost endless with the number of effects and layers available on the Rev2. Keep it up, you’re going to sell me on a Rev2 (which I am resisting because I still have my Prophet 12).
Cheers!
That is exactly the way i love to do presets... experiment, so I'm fully with you on this one
... i often do not go for a specific sound, I'm more interested in experimenting with a certain part of the synth engine to see how I can "squeeze it" ... and from that "playing around" usually comes something unexpected... as with this preset that totally blew me away... i really did not count on such a simple trick to be so effective.
And I have to say, that what really gives the REV2 it's advantage over the Prophet 8 is exactly the FX engine combined with the dual engine... in fact I've now come to the conclusion that this dual layer is more powerful than you would normally expect, which has also made me redicide on my future purchases... I'm not getting a PEAK as it has only one layer... I'll get the P12 again at some point... also the possibility to route modulation to the VCA that effectively raise all 16 voices at the same time is unique to the DSI instruments, and it's a god send for me, when creating really atonal and dense drones (preset example will come later)... I can only dream of what I'll be able to accomplish with a Prophet X... with these three synths I'd have one hell of palette of sounds possible.
Regarding the P12 and REV2... yes... they overlap a great deal, but still, the P12 has a few areas it simply cannot compete with the REV2 and vice versa... the P12 got the audio rate modulation with FM and all, but it does not have the REV2 analog oscillators that are just cleaner, especially in the higher notes, and also the FX engine.
I'll be getting both, that's for sure... but I'll probably get a keys version, and not until I've made at least 128 presets for the REV2 within the next 5-6 months