Oscillator Pitch
Foundations of Synths with Eric Promani
Starting with the concept of pitch in sound, Eric walks through the different pitch manipulation components in Serum. He discusses a wide range of features available not only in serum, but generally in synthesizers that producers can use to alter pitch to create unique sounds and textures. Producers looking to expand their knowledge of pitch and sound as well as their application of sound design can find great insight in this tutorial.
Lessons
Intro To Synths
In this tutorial you will learn the fundamentals of how synthesizers interact with different aspects of sound, and how to manipulate synths like Serum for specific sounds.
Oscillator Pitch
Learn the ins and outs of pitch manipulation when using synthesizers like Serum in this lesson from the foundations of synthesis masterclass.
Oscillator Wave Shapes
Learn how to use and manipulate different oscillator wave shapes in synths like Serum in this foundational lesson from our synthesis masterclass.
Filters Part One
Learn how to use filters in synthesizers like Serum in part one of this two part lesson from our masterclass on the foundations of synthesis.
Filters Part Two
Learn about the different types of filter shapes in synthesizers and how to implement them in this lesson which is part of our masterclass on the foundations of synthesis.
LFO Fundamentals
Learn the fundamentals behind LFO and it's practical applications when manipulating sound in this tutorial from our synthesis masterclass.
LFO Modulation
For part two of the LFO series, Eric dives deeper into the different modulation abilities of LFO’s. He provides insight into BPM based modulation of sound explaining the different methods of timing LFO modulation as well as showing examples of LFO use for different rhythmic and creative effects. Producers looking to expand their range of LFO capabilities can find value in learning more nuanced and unique ways to utilize this tool.
Modulation Part One
In Part One of this three part series, Eric covers the fundamentals of modulation features native to any synth. Working in Serum, Eric discusses how to utilize envelopes and LFOs on certain oscillator and filter parameters to sculpt the sound in different ways. Producers looking to explore more advanced means of achieving unique sounds can add modulation tools to their arsenal for success.
Modulation Part Two
Learn layering, how to use the warp knob and how stacking helps create experimental sounds when using modulation in synths. Advanced modulation techniques.
Modulation Part Three
In the last part of this series, Eric explores auxiliary modulation and vibrato techniques. He shows how envelopes and LFOs can be used as modulators to an existing modulation envelope or LFO. Likewise, he also shows how this can be used within the context of vibrato offering producers the ability to emulate a human like feel to their music. Lastly, Eric takes all the elements of the three part modulation series together and experiments with applying all the advanced modulation techniques to achieve unique sounds. Producers interested in advanced level sound design methods can find a lot of use in understanding auxiliary and vibrato modulation.
Synth Voicing
For Part One of the Alternate Methods series, Eric looks at monophonic versus polyphonic voices and their different use cases as well as character. Furthermore, Eric takes polyphonic voicing one step further by demonstrating unison detuned voicing on different types of sounds in serum. Producers looking to expand their ability to develop unique characters to sounds can find great value in this tutorial.
Velocity and Mod/Pitch Wheel
For Part Two of the Alternate Methods series, Eric uncovers the velocity parameter in serum and how to achieve different dynamics within a melody or chord purely within the serum controls. Likewise, he also discusses how to use serum’s mod wheel and pitch bend wheel to effect as well as provides some nice examples of how the wheels can take a sound to the next level. Producers utilizing all synths can find great use in better understanding how to create more dynamic capabilities in their sound design via this tutorial.
Portamento and Macros
In the final part of the Alternate Methods series, Eric goes over what Portamento is and how it can be used as well as explaining certain trademark sounds that utilize portamento. Furthermore, Eric discusses how alternative macros in Serum can be used by producers for greater control over sculpting sounds. Producers looking to add a little more tools to their sound design belt can find great benefit in these simple yet effective techniques native to synths of all kinds.
Oscillator Quick Tricks
Starting off this three part series, Eric takes a look at how simple oscillator adjustments can go a long way in taking sounds to the next level. He varies between examples of oscillator volume and tuning manipulation and then ties it all together with a demonstration of how these moves can create very unique sounds. Producers looking to better harness the full utility of their synths can find great value in this video.
Arpeggios
On the second video of the three part series, Eric dives into arpeggio techniques native to most synths and available externally in ableton via a native plugin. He provides a basic understanding of arpeggios and then explains how musically they can add a new perspective to the song allowing for enhanced sound design and synthesis capabilities when matched with traditional synthesis techniques. Producers looking to expand their knowledge of harmony and its relation to synthesis and sound design can find great benefit with this video.
Ableton’s Wavetable & Serum’s Warp Control
In the last of this three part series, Eric uses ableton’s built in wavetable synthesizer to create new sounds to his on-going creation of a song in this series. Furthermore, he dives into serum to uncover the different warp modes on oscillators producers can utilize to add more movement to their sounds. This tutorial is great for producers looking to apply their synthesis knowledge to ableton native synths as well as experiment to a greater level with oscillators using warp modes.
FM Synthesis
For part one of Advanced Synthesis, Eric takes us through an introduction to FM synthesis. Featuring Serum and Ableton’s operator in this video, Eric provides an overview of what FM synthesis is, how to utilize it within common synthesizers, and examples of the sound within the context of a song. Producers looking to step beyond subtractive synthesis into greater levels of complexity with their sound design can find great benefit with this video.
Granular Synthesis
For part two of Advanced Synthesis, Eric moves onto Granular Synthesis. Working with Ableton’s stock granular synthesizer, Eric demonstrates how to drag in audio samples into the synthesizer and start manipulating the sound via the parameters commonly available on most granular synthesizers. He then incorporates granular synthesis into a live demonstration of a song. Producers looking to expand their sound design repertoire would find great results with learning granular synthesis from this tutorial.
Recreating ‘Livin’ Without Maybes’ Using Serum
In the first of this two part series, Eric uses Serum to recreate Lost Capital’s “Livin’ Without Maybes” and uncovers the different sound design elements present in the song. He dives into Serum to show how the song was constructed and explains the reasoning behind synthesis decisions in the song.
Recreating ‘Snack Machine’ Using Serum
In the last of this two part series, Eric recreates sounds of Gummibear’s track “Snack Machine” and uncovers the different sound design elements present in the song. He dives into Serum to show how the song was constructed and explains the reasoning behind synthesis decisions in the song.
Starting with the concept of pitch in sound, Eric walks through the different pitch manipulation components in Serum. He discusses a wide range of features available not only in serum, but generally in synthesizers that producers can use to alter pitch to create unique sounds and textures. Producers looking to expand their knowledge of pitch…
Starting with the concept of pitch in sound, Eric walks through the different pitch manipulation components in Serum. He discusses a wide range of features available not only in serum, but generally in synthesizers that producers can use to alter pitch to create unique sounds and textures. Producers looking to expand their knowledge of pitch and sound as well as their application of sound design can find great insight in this tutorial.