SynthCell Explained

If you're ready to start making some music with SynthCell, the brilliant softsynth for Pro Tools, but you're a little intimidated by all those knobs, fret no more! Eli Krantzberg will teach you everything you need to know about using this instrument in this vast collection of video tutorials. From the basic building blocks of synthesis (oscillators, filters, envelopes, etc.) to tips on designing all types of classic synth tones, you'll learn how to make SynthCell an invaluable addition to your sonic arsenal. These videos are for new SynthCell users.

The Instrument

• SynthCell Overview (07:03) - Learn about the basic parameters used in subtractive synthesis and see where all the main controls are laid out on the SynthCell interface.

• Getting to Know the Oscillators (08:05) - Get acquainted with the raw sound of each of the oscillator waveform shapes and hear the influence the amp envelope, modulation, and effects have on them.

• Getting to Know Filter 1 (06:19) - Explore the various filter types and slopes and the effects of key range and simple velocity-based modulation.

• Getting to Know Filter 2 (05:36) - Discover the different filter types available in Filter 2 and how they interact with Filter 1 to create complex, harmonically-rich filtered sounds.

• Exploring the Filter Envelope (05:52) - See how to adjust the Envelope control for each filter to determine how much the Filter Envelope affects the Cutoff frequency of the filter.

• Understanding the Amp Envelope (05:59) - Take a clinical look at how each stage of the amplitude envelope shapes the volume of a note over the course of its duration.

• LFO Waveform Shapes (08:05) - Discover how the various Low Frequency Oscillator waveform shapes and rate settings influence the values of the destination parameters they're assigned to modulate. Also see how the LFO rate value itself is modulated for variable speed control.

• Modulation Envelope (05:24) - Explore how this two-stage ramp generator is used to modulate a variety of parameters.

• Other Modulation Sources (05:51) - Discover alternative sources used for modulation in the Modulation Matrix, based on performance gestures and other input criteria.

• Playback Modes & Glide (02:19) - Learn how overlapping notes respond to the various playback modes and glide setting.

• Arpeggiator (04:36) - Explore SynthCell's simple and intuitive eight-step arpeggiator.

• Effects (08:30) - Explore each of the reverb, modulation, delay, and distortion settings available on the SynthCell Effects page.

Sound Design

• Percussion (04:32) - See how simple snare and hi hat sounds are created using the noise oscillator and hi-pass filtering.

• Synth Bass (06:51) - Follow along as three distinct synth bass sounds are designed from the ground up, each with their own unique character.

• Synth Pads (05:48) - Watch as two synth pads are built up, incorporating swells generated by the amp envelope, pulse width modulation, LFO modulation, and more.

• Plucks (03:16) - Learn how to use the amp envelope, filter settings, and various effects to create custom plucked synth sounds.

• Arps (04:34) - Hear how a triangle waveform, supported with a saw wave in Oscillator 2 and combined with the Arpeggiator, is used to create a warm, unobtrusive arpeggiated sound.

• Synth Lead (06:04) - Discover how two different lead sounds are built up from scratch and how to use the MIDI Learn function for real-time performance control.

• Final Playthrough (02:30) - Learn about the presets and session files that are available for download and listen to a final play-through of the short arrangement built up with the bespoke SynthCell sounds created during the last six videos.