Let's make a Synth

Hey,

I would like to make my own synths w/ the mpc 4000. In a post on another forum from last year, someone wrote.....

The Program Modulation window is like an analog modular synthesizer's
modulation matrix, where you can plug a patch cord from a modulation
source (such as Envelope Generators, LFOs, Mod Wheel, Bend, External
Controller, Keyboard, Velocity, Aftertouch, ...) to any destination
(Amplitude, Pan, Pitch, Filter CutOff, Resonance, LFO
Rate/Depth/Delay/Phase, Envelope rates, ...), and adjust the amount of
modulation (Depth) with a knob.

For instance, you can patch: * the output of the Filter Envelope (FILTER
ENV) into a Filter CutOff (CUTOFF) to create a filter sweep. In this case,
the Depth parameter defines the amount of sweep. 0= no sweep, +100=
maximum sweep. * the Mod Wheel into LFO1 Depth, and the output of LFO1
into PITCH, to create a Vibrato.

In the MPC4000, each KeyGroup/Pad can be compared to an independent
synthesizer, where samples are used in place of oscillators. To emulate an
analog synthesizer, you could use "raw waveforms" samples, such as Sine
wave, Triangular wave, Square wave, SawTooth (up or down), White Noise,
Pink Noise, ... as oscillators. Each KeyGroup/Pad has the following
synthesizer "structure": * 4 Zones = up to 4 "VCOs" oscillators * FILTER:
up to 3 resonant Filters with independent Shape, Cutoff and Resonance = 3
"VCFs" (independent or linked) * AMP = 1 "VCA" * 3 Envelope Generators (1
ADSR and 2 Multi-Stage) * 2 independent LFOs (Sine, Triangle, Square, Saw,
Random="Sample&Hold") * 64-point modulation matrix = 64 "patch cords"

In addition to the "traditional" modulations destinations found on
synthesizers, the MPC4000 can also select: * ZONE START: allows variations
of the sample start point * ZONE SELECT: allows to cross-fade between the
samples in the 4 zones in real-time.


Well, that is all fine and dandy. I have read quite a few synth manuals for more info, but it wasn't that helpful. Neither was the akai manual... I understand that I can manipulate keygroups w/ the mod matrix, but I would like to recreate some cool sounding complex sounding stuff.. not just resampling a sample across the keyboard.

Does anyone have any synth building tips for creating program modulation freak outs that would really show off what the mpc 4000 synth engine / mod matrix can do?

I wish akai would push the synth side of the mpc 4000 more than it has.

thanks.

Yes let's !!, we could get some simple waveforms out of soundforge and make some sustaining loops & stuff. ( I would like to use the 4000 as a synth too!!)

A bit over excited aren't I, but I do enjoy this forum.

Yes. It's easy! Just use Wavelab to loop a waveform, its the best tool to do that, Cool edit can do it to but Wavelab has some special loop features!
I use Reason's Malström and Subtractor to make my waveforms.

djredhead wrote:Hey,

.........

Does anyone have any synth building tips for creating program modulation freak outs that would really show off what the mpc 4000 synth engine / mod matrix can do?

I wish akai would push the synth side of the mpc 4000 more than it has.

thanks.

You can get yourself a synth-program-book! You can apply all synth tricks on every machine wich has basic synth modulation.

Synth-program-book?

For example: http://www.sonicshack.com/itemdetail.cfm?id=19
There are tons of them!

Thanx

Yes, the Mod Matrix is one of the reasons that I purchased the MPC-4000 rather then the other ones,
so as to be able to bring the samples alive. I'll see if I can dig up
some raw wav samples and post them to this Thread.

Also as a note, when making raw waveforms to be used as Synth elements, the wave samples do not need to be very big. Just
one cycle should be enough.

Somewhere on the web, I saw somebody had the same idea
when the Akai S-5000 and S-6000 came out with it's abilities to do this
as well. An somebody somewhere made a S-6000 Program for
the basic sine wave, triangle wave, square wave, and sawtooth wave
that are primary subtstance of the original subtractive synthesis. It had
the wav samples themselves and the Program with the sample mapped
out in the keygroup. I just went looking for that download (it was a free one on one of the different S-6000/5000 download sites. I thought it
was on Hollow Sun, but I can't find it. If anybody finds those, with
MPC-4000's ability to use S-6000/5000 programs, you would have your
primary building blocks for your synth. Then from there, one
can look at the different WaveTable like synths and grab raw waveforms
from them, I have a bunch, and you could just apply them to the above
programs and just refrence the new waveform, rename and wala! A new synth sound Sounds like a fun project that I should take on for myself.

I guess a good MPC-4000 Tutorial on this (with step by steps) should be in the works. I'll start looking into seeing if I can document a few examples.


With my planned purchase of a Nord G2 (which is virtual modular with midi cc
modules), one can almost make NI Reaktor like setups but in a hardware
format. I can use any of the Modular modules to control the MPC
(including Sample Zone Start) to make very complex sounds(via the
Midd CC modules in the G2), as well
as use the MPC to the G2 via it's Midi CC implementations, as well
as the ability to record the knob turnings of the G2, so have something
like this.

Sequences on the MPC4000 (not just note, but also Midi CC)
controlling various changes and movements of the G2 patches, which
in turn Changes and Randomizes different settings on the MPC-4000 of some of it's samples via MPC's Modulation Matrix.

Should make some interesting soundscapes. Hoping to make some nice Noodles with the setup.

OH.. forgot, Though I don't have a Virus , on Access' site, they
had somebody write up a 132 page book on programming synths
via substractive synthesist (which is the method I believe that the
MPC would be using Envelopers, Filteres to remove or shape the raw
waveforms). Though it does have Virus specific references, one should
be able to apply what is in that book to any subtractive synth which should
include the MPC.

Here is the link. So at least you have a free start:


http://www.access-music.de/pdffolder/Pr ... torial.zip

renegadebliss wrote:OH.. forgot, Though I don't have a Virus , on Access' site, they
had somebody write up a 132 page book on programming synths
via substractive synthesist (which is the method I believe that the
MPC would be using Envelopers, Filteres to remove or shape the raw
waveforms). Though it does have Virus specific references, one should
be able to apply what is in that book to any subtractive synth which should
include the MPC.

Here is the link. So at least you have a free start:


http://www.access-music.de/pdffolder/Pr ... torial.zip

thanks alot

you all should trans fer this to the newbe bible

What I'll do, if I can get a little time, is write up a quick tutorial that includes some programs and samples for people to look at and see for themselves, and post that to the Newbie Bible.
Don't let my attempts stop anyone from doing it before me. With a 65 hour work week,
3 band practises a week and a 1 1/2 year old Toddler, I don't see it getting finished tonight

But once I get the programs and samples together , it shouldn't take too long.


Akai put all that power in their for a reason:
With the number of filters, envelopes, LFO's
and Nuimber of Modulation Matrix positions that the MPC-4000 has,
not counting all the additional things it has up it's sleave, makes me laugh when I hear
the MPC-4000 vs MV-8000 or the MPC-4000 vs the MC 909 threads that pop up
around the net. Don't get me wrong , if somebody wants to give me a MV-8000 and MC-909, I'd be happy to integrate them into my setup, but they wouldnt' be able to replace
the MPC-4000.


Now if they could only implement the Seperate Track Lengths feature, I'd be stoked. I can
do it now with the Simulaneous Sequence feature, but it only allows me to have 2
different track lenghths, I can have Seq 1 doing an 8 bar loop and Seq 2 doing a 13 bar,
but it would be MUCH BETTER if we could have all 128 tracks per sequence have it's
own adjustable track length. (Check previous thread on Seperate Track Length for more info).

Renegadebliss: Looking forward to your post on synth starter examples using the mpc 4000. thanks.

I guess I will reread that virus pdf again. ;)

mmmmmmmm seperate track lengths.....

boywithpez007 wrote:mmmmmmmm seperate track lengths.....

mmmmmmm I'll second that G......

Which sounds should i be using as the oscillator? I tried using white and pink noise, but not much happened. These "simple waveforms" you are refering to Kiwi, are they just raw sounds, or are the created after editing the parameters on a synth?