Spire Explained (Legacy)
Laurence Holcombe is back and this time breaks down the incredible virtual synth Spire by Reveal Sound from beginning to end. This synth is truly amazing sounding and disproves any ideas that software synths don't have the "big, fat sound" that hardware synths do. Follow along with Larry and see and hear for yourself!
Videos
• Introduction (04:17) - Laurence introduces you to Spire outlines the interface and where everything is. He demonstrates choosing and saving presets & loading banks and gives an insight into the sound of Spire through auditioning some of the preset sounds.
• The Oscillators (10:08) - Laurence explores pitching the Oscillators, Pulse Width Modulation and setting the oscillator phase. Laurence also uses the Classic, Noise, FM and AM sync mode to create a wide palette of sounds and textures in Spire.
• Unison & Play Modes (07:22) - Laurence creates supersaws and thickens up patches using unison mode. Laurence then creates chord effects using the chord options for instant deep house chord vibes before exploring the play modes.
• The Filters (07:27) - Discover the differences between the different Filter modes in Spire and also their respective filter types. Laurence then uses Acido and distortion to create a 303 style patch ans routes the filters in Series and Parallel mode and chains together effects for create sound design.
• The FX Section (10:35) - A detailed look at the parameters of the shaper, phaser and vowel filter, chorus and flanger, delay and reverb. Laurence also shows muting effects to audition a sound dry.
• The Master Out Section (04:15) - Laurence tames peaks using the multi band compressor and its different modes before assigning velocity sensitivity both positively and negatively. Laurence then alters the master output, uses the low shelf, bell and high shelf eq shapes to mold the sound.
• The Envelopes (06:32) - Laurence discusses Attack, Decay, Sustain, Slope time and level & Release. Laurence then assigns the envelopes to parameters and uses velocity to add extra modulation.
• The LFOs (06:35) - Discover the LFO parameters including rate, amp, phase and waveform type. Laurence then demonstrates fading in the LFO modulation by dragging on the graphic display. assigning the LFO and using Velocity for extra modulation.
• The Stepper (05:50) - Laurence explores the parameters of the Stepper and how to edit each waveform slot in the graphic display, changes the timing of each slot to create intricate patterns and assigns the Stepper to Filter Cutoff and Reverb Dry/Wet balance for some in interesting sound design.
• The Modulation Matrix (05:22) - Laurence assigns modulation in Spire and discusses the principle that everything can be modulated, using examples such as using one oscillator to modulate the pitch of another oscillator and using the oscillators pitch to modulate filter cutoff, resonance and delay time.
• The Arpeggiator (12:02) - Laurence uses the Arpeggiator in its different key and velocity to create arpeggiated sequences. He then creates 303 style sequences using the arpeggiator and acido filter type.
• Sound Design Pt. 1 - Percussive Hits & Plucks (11:08) - Laurence makes a Progressive house style drop synth sound using FM synthesis and makes Pluck sounds in Spire.
• Sound Design Pt. 2 - Bass (08:52) - Laurence creates dirty analogue bass sounds in Spire and uses the stepper to make Dubstep style bass sounds.
• Sound Design Pt. 3 - Pads & Dubby Chords (10:45) - Watch Laurence create evolving texture style sounds with Spire using multiple oscillators, filters, reverb and delay. Laurence also uses an LFO set not to key re-trigger for dubby chord sounds.
• Sound Design Pt. 4 - Leads (03:25) - Laurence makes a super saw lead sound and making it sound bigger using eq, distortion and reverb.
• Sound Design Pt. 5 - Drums & FX (09:17) - See how to make huge analogue kicks and also massive risers using modulation and white noise.