SKANNER XT Explained

SKANNER XT Explained is here! Al Swettenham tackles this sonic monster, showing you all the ins and outs. SKANNER XT is a sample based software synthesiser capable of creating original and unique sounds via a revolutionary form of synthesis known as "scanned synthesis". Learn all about it here and create your own cutting edge, out of this world sounds..

Videos
Introduction (03:54) - This video is a brief introduction to SKANNER and to the concept of scanned synthesis. In this series of tutorials you'll learn how to use this unique and powerful synthesizer as we delve into every parameter and every function.
Overview (07:38) - In this video Al provides a brief overview of the synth. You''ll look at the A view; where SKANNER's preset morpher, global LFO and macro controls are housed and the B view; the engine room of the synth where the 'polyphonic processing section', the effects section and the modulators section can be found.
Morpher & Global LFO (07:51) - In this video you'll learn about the three key panels in View A; The Preset Morpher, the Global LFO and the Macro Controls. We'll also look at the SKANNER's Global LFO and how it can be used to control both the preset morpher and SKANNER's macro controls.
The Synth Engine (10:53) - In this video you'll head over to the B view, the heart of SKANNER XT and learn how to use SKANNER's synth engine to modulate SKANNER's playhead to 'scan' the sample and thus generate sound. You'll then learn how Oscillators A and B, the Polyphonic LFO, the Envelope and Feedback can all be used to modulate SKANNER's playhead in their own distinct way. This is the key concept behind 'scanned' synthesis and how it works.
Polyphonic Processing Section (10:52) - In this video you'll explore the polyphonic processing section and the three key devices that process your raw sound before it passes through a mixer and then an amplitude envelope. You'll also discover the Amplitude Modulator, the Delay Unit and the Hi Cut and Lo Cut filters, all of which allow you to shape your sound before it passes through the effects section.
The Effects Section Pt. 1 (11:32) - Over the next two videos you'll look at SKANNER XT's effects section which contains five high quality effect units; An 8-pole filter, an amp cabinet distortion unit, an echo unit, a flanger and finally a reverb unit. Then you'll learn about the complex, stereo 8-pole filter which is in fact four filters (two for each stereo channel.) Discover how this unconventional filter can be used as a lo pass, a hi pass, a band reject or an all pass filter depending on how it's used. You'll also look at the cabinet effect which simulates guitar amp distortion as you drive the signal into it. Following that you'll look at SKANNER XT's more conventional but extremely high quality Echo, Flanger and Reverb units and how each of them work.
The Effects Section Pt. 2 (06:35) - Continued from Part 1
The Modulators Section Pt. 1 (10:07) - In the next two videos you'll look at SKANNER XT's modulators section, arguably the most important panel on SKANNER's B view. This is where you can exercise detailed control over your five modulators; Oscillators A and B, the Polyphonic LFO, the Envelope and Feedback. Among other things, you'll learn how, as well as being used to modulate SKANNER's playhead, the two oscillators can themselves be modulated by the Polyphonic LFO, the Envelope and Feedback. As you go through all the parameters in the modulators section, you'll start to see the potentially infinite combination of ways one can modulate the playhead thus, you'll see SKANNER's vast potential.
The Modulators Section Pt. 2 (14:40) - Continued from Part 1
Macro Controls (10:17) - In this video you'll learn how to assign SKANNER XT's macro controls to control various different parameters in SKANNER XT. You'll see how you can control different parameters at once with varying degrees of scale and in both positive or negative polarities. You'll also see how using macros in conjunction with SKANNER's Global LFO expands the potential for modulation and control even further.
Using Your Own Samples (05:39) - Finally in this last video, you'll learn how to load your own samples into SKANNER XT, either by using Reaktor's built in browser to navigate your hard drive or by simply dragging files in from Finder or Explorer (depending on whether we're using a Mac or PC respectively).