How to Produce Those Tricky Lead Synth Patterns Heard in Trance Music
Realize that lead synthesis patterns in trance music can be just as important as lead guitar riffs in rock music.,Get a sound generator, basically any software or hardware synthesis that includes a sequencer will do (to generate a synthesis...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Realize that lead synthesis patterns in trance music can be just as important as lead guitar riffs in rock music.
"Lead" simply means that the pattern stands out in front of other elements of the music (cf. lead singer, lead guitar). ,,, For example: c c c d c c c eb c c c g ,, From the example above (X marks the cut): c X c c d c c X eb X c X g , Instant trance:
Add a cross delay and adjust feedback and delay time after your liking.
If you set the tempo to 148 BPM try a delay time of 303ms or offset two delays a couple of hundred ms or adjust it to your liking.
If your sequencer is capable of automation be sure to record movements or edits for each note: cutoffs, (filter-sweep that goes swoosh), resonance (the faster the bubblier), and why not make the pattern beat out another rhythm by assigning accents to some of the notes? If it does not sound right, turn it off for now (always try the default settings first). ,, Using the pattern in the example it would look something like this: (in 16th-notes): c1 c2 X X c1 c2 c1 c2 d1 d2. ,, In the example, shorten all the Cs to 128th notes.
A similar effect can be achieved by creating a 32nd-note pattern and adding an automated gate or using a second pattern and a side-chain compressor. -
Step 2: Get a sound generator
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Step 3: basically any software or hardware synthesis that includes a sequencer will do (to generate a synthesis pattern).
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Step 4: Set the tempo to 148 beats per minute (BPM) or something you find more entrancing.
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Step 5: Create an 8-note pattern pivoting around one note using the sequencer.
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Step 6: Play back the pattern as a loop.
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Step 7: Cut a few notes just to make it interesting - say 4 notes - out of the pattern.
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Step 8: Choose from the number of different paths you can take.
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Step 9: Set your sequencer quantization to 16th-notes.
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Step 10: Copy your pattern and paste it one octave above on the next step of the 16th-notes.
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Step 11: Add 32 notes to your pattern and adjust the lengths of the notes.
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Step 12: Make the rhythmically important notes very short
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Step 13: and make sure the melodic notes are longer.
Detailed Guide
"Lead" simply means that the pattern stands out in front of other elements of the music (cf. lead singer, lead guitar). ,,, For example: c c c d c c c eb c c c g ,, From the example above (X marks the cut): c X c c d c c X eb X c X g , Instant trance:
Add a cross delay and adjust feedback and delay time after your liking.
If you set the tempo to 148 BPM try a delay time of 303ms or offset two delays a couple of hundred ms or adjust it to your liking.
If your sequencer is capable of automation be sure to record movements or edits for each note: cutoffs, (filter-sweep that goes swoosh), resonance (the faster the bubblier), and why not make the pattern beat out another rhythm by assigning accents to some of the notes? If it does not sound right, turn it off for now (always try the default settings first). ,, Using the pattern in the example it would look something like this: (in 16th-notes): c1 c2 X X c1 c2 c1 c2 d1 d2. ,, In the example, shorten all the Cs to 128th notes.
A similar effect can be achieved by creating a 32nd-note pattern and adding an automated gate or using a second pattern and a side-chain compressor.
About the Author
Anna Williams
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow DIY projects tutorials.
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