Synth1 leads you into the enthralling world of virtual analog synthesis. In fact, Synth1 goes far and beyond traditional analog synthesizers with respect to its features and performance. As a digital instrument, it stays true to the concept of a traditional analog and yet manages to exceed traditional analog synthesizers in terms of its performance.
The resultant sound is clean, crisp, neat and mesmerizing.
However, the magic of Synth is not just limited to the quality of the sound it creates. What also sets the Synth apart is it’s clean, intuitive, customizable and easy to operate user interface.
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Synth1 VST – What You Should Know?
Synth1 is a VST 2.0 compatible software synthesizer plug-in used for computer music. A well-known software synthesizer powerhouse, Synth1 is widely popularized due to its minimal system requirements. It hosts a large base of users and is compatible with thousands of pre-sets that can be found all over the internet. It can create a variety of sounds and is really easy to customize, making it suitable for beginners and advanced users alike.
In terms of how it functions, the Synth1 is fashioned after the Clavia Nord Lead 2X, also known as the famous “Red Synth”. Synth1 does true justice to the essence of the Red Synth. It also comes with its set of unique features which includes:
1. Three major oscillations
- FM modulation
- Ring modulation
- Synchronization
2. One sub-oscillator
- A separate oscillator that plays alongside Oscillator 1.
- Usually plays at the same pitch or at a pitch that’s an octave below.
3. Four types of filters
- Two high-pass filters – Allows higher frequencies to pass through and cancels out low frequencies.
- One low-pass filter- Exactly the opposite of high pass, the low pass filter allows low frequencies to pass through and cuts out higher frequencies.
- One band-pass filter – Allows mid-range frequencies to pass through while cutting off the lower and higher range frequencies.
4. Two LFOs synchronized with a host tempo
- On and off toggles
- Sets the pattern (Sawtooth, Square, Triangle, Sine, Stepped random, Smoothed random)
- Adjusts the speed
- Adjusts the depth (How strongly the target sound is modulated by the oscillator)
- Defines the destination (Which parameter is modulated by the LFO)
5. An arpeggiator synchronized to a host tempo
- On and off toggles
- Sets the arpeggiator pattern (Up, down, updown, random)
- Sets the arpeggiator range in octaves (Repeats the chord pattern for the given octaves)
- Changes the arpeggiator speed
- Changes the length of the notes the arpeggiator plays
6. Built-in effects
Tempo Delay
- On and off toggles
- Sets the delay type (Stereo, Cross-feedback, Ping Pong)
- Adjusts the delay time
- Delay time spread
- Delay feedback
- Adjusts the delay tone
Chorus/Flanger
- On and off toggles
- Sets the chorus type
- Modify chorus delay time
- Modify chorus depth
- Modify chorus feedback
- Modify chorus level
Equalizer/Pan
- Controls the central frequency of EQ band
- Controls EQ band amount
- Controls the intensity of EQ tone
- Controls pan
7. Voices
- Polyphonic– Outputs multiple notes at the same time
- Monophonic–Outputs a single note at one time
- Portamento–Adjusts the time it takes to slide between notes
- Unison– voice count, detune, phase, spread, pitch
8. MIDI CC control
- Adjusts the range of pitch bend wheel
- Sets the source of MIDI controller
- Sets the parameter modulated by MIDI controller
9. Compatibility
· CPU – x86/x64
- OS– Windows XP, Windows Vista 32Bit
- Hosts– Reaper, Ableton Live, SONAR, Cubase, FL Studio (and a few other DAWs)
Synth1 Tutorial – Getting Started
Alright, let’s set everything up now.
How to Install Synth1?
Here are the steps:
1) Download either of the 32 or 64-bit versions of the VST or Audio Unit version of the Synth1.
2) Locate the folder in which you save all your VST plug-ins and drop the Synth1 VST files in there.
3) Reload your host.
4) Locate Synth1 in either the AU folder or VST folder.
Getting Started With Synth1
With every synthesizer, it is always recommended to start with an initialized basic patch free from any whistles or bells attached. Unfortunately, the Synth1 does not come with an initialized path that is free from effects or modulations. So the first step is to rectify the effects and create a basic default patch. In order to do that follow the steps given below:
- Click on “Initial sound”.
- This will open up a browser that gives access to all the pre-set sounds that Synth1 comes equipped with.
- Locate an empty bank and select the initial sound in another bank.
- Turn off the mix knob all the way to the left so that you not only hear Oscillator 1.
- Lower the amount coming from LFO2 so that no more modulation is being sent.
- Go up to the amplitude envelope and raise the stain all the way up.
- Lower the attack and release all the way down.
- Lower the velocity sensitivity.
- Set the voice mode to Mono with Polyphonic of 01.
- Even though Synth1 is light on the processor, by removing all the effects and modulations on your initialized path you’ll be freeing up unneeded resources.
- You’ll be left with an accurate starting sound that does not have any background sounds that you are not familiar with.
How to Install Synth1 Presets?
Below are the steps to install Synth1 presets:
- Copy the “Synth1” folder into your VST plugin directory.
- Scan the Synth1 VST plugin from your DAW.
- Initialize Synth1
- Choose an empty slot and click on the browse button on the top right corner of your VST plugin.
- Browse to the Synth1 folder from your VST plugin directory.
- Choose “soundbank00” and click ok.
- Follow the same steps for the rest of the empty slots.
Conclusion
Now that you are well-versed with the nitty-gritties of Synth1, fine-tune this beautifully crafted instrument into your workflow to create fast, inspiring music.
