Circle Explained

Virtual synth expert Larry Holcombe presents a set of comprehensive Circle video tutorials! If you're curious about Circle's revolutionary drag-and-drop, color-coded approach to synthesis, this course is the one to watch. Larry takes you through the basics and then runs the gamut, delving into the more advanced features and functions before demonstrating this instrument's possibilities by building three classic tones from scratch. These videos are for new Circle users.

Videos

• Interface & Presets (04:42) - This first video concentrates on the interface of the plugin and the ways in which we can load and save presets.

• Sound Sources (10:42) - Next up, we focus on the sound sources, starting with the analog oscillators covering detuning, sync, and the LFO setting. We then outline the parameters of the wavetable oscillator and VPS oscillator.

• Mixer & Output Sections (04:04) - Explore the Mixer and Output sections, which allow us to blend between our oscillators and also add output modulation.

• Filter (03:52) - Next, discover the single and dual filters of Circle 2. We demonstrate the different filter types, frequency and resonance, and also the series and parallel routing.

• Pre & Post Filter Effects (10:29) - The different effects types are covered next, which give us a range of sound-mangling capabilities, both pre and post filter.

• Modulators (12:44) - Explore the envelopes, LFOs, and sequencer, all of which allow us to create contours in the sound, periodic rhythmic modulations, and even stepped modulation signals. Finally, we look at keyboard and velocity modulation.

• Master Effects (07:16) - Next up, we cover the Master Effects section, which allows us to process our sounds through a collection of three different master effects, adding various sonic characteristics to our patches.

• Settings Tab (04:18) - Discover the Settings tab next, which includes the voicing and unison settings, so we can thicken and layer our sounds for extra fatness! The Settings tab also includes the Randomize area, so we can generate some happy accidents.

• Keyboard Tab (05:06) - The Keyboard tab includes the arpeggiator and keyboard modulation signals, allowing us to tie modulation to keyboard pitch.

• Patches Tab (02:22) - We learn how to organize and search for presets in this video using the Patches tab.

• Control Tab (00:46) - This video demonstrates the MIDI learn functionality of Circle 2.

• Noise FX Loop (06:34) - Discover how to create a rhythmic noise loop in this video using an LFO and sequencer routed to the filter and effects section.

• Huge Pad (09:25) - In this video, we create a pad sound from a single note by tuning oscillators and liberally adding effects and modulation.

• Bass Sound (04:19) - Finally, we create a traditional analog-style square and saw bass patch.