Synapse Obsession Explained
Join veteran Groove3 instructor Larry Holcombe for an in-depth look at the newest Oberheim synthesizer emulation from Synapse Audio, Obsession. In this comprehensive Obsession video course, you'll learn about all the parameters and controls of this incredible instrument with numerous musical examples that allow you to hear the concepts in action. By the end of this Obsession video course, you'll be able to get around the synth with confidence, and be well on your way to creating your own unique, inimitable patches for your own productions. These videos are for new Obsession users.
Videos
• Introduction & Interface (06:07) - This video introduces the plugin and also outlines the different areas of the interface, including the front and back panel dual design.
• Oscillator Section (08:06) - We discuss the oscillator section next, where we'll be choosing different waveshapes and pitches, hard syncing the oscillators, and using the filter envelope to affect oscillator pitch.
• Filter Section (07:54) - Next up, we adjust the tonal balance of our raw waveforms using the filter parameters of cutoff, resonance, and the filter envelope. We can also essentially mix between oscillators 1 and 2 and the noise module from within the filter section.
• Envelope Section (03:55) - This video is concerned with using the filter and loudness envelope to adjust the sound over time.
• Modulation Section (07:31) - Explore LFOs 1 and 2, which allow us to introduce periodic modulations in parameters such as pitch and filter cutoff. We discuss the different waveform shapes, hardwired destinations, rate, and depth.
• Pitch Bend, Mod Wheel, Control, & Common Section (07:06) - This video covers the various controls located in the top section of the front panel. These controls allow for portamento to be added, monophonic patches to be created, and the synth to be globally tuned and level-adjusted.
• Voice Adjustment Section (12:53) - Discover how voice adjustments allow for subtle or wild differences and inconsistencies between voices. This can help mimic the sound of vintage synthesizers with imperfect tuning and filter scaling.
• Mod Matrix Sources Pt. 1 (10:48) - In this video, we demonstrate many of the modulation sources like velocity, expression, mod wheel, constant, and random. This allows hands-on control of Obsession?s parameters.
• Mod Matrix Sources Pt. 2 (03:31) - Next up, we continue to look at ways in which we can use modulation sources (such as LFOs) alongside secondary controllers like the mod wheel for further control over the synth. We also look at using the filter and amp envelope.
• Mod Matrix Destinations (08:48) - Explore some of the many modulation destinations available in Obsession, including resonance, envelope amounts, noise, and delay feedback. We also use modulation sources to affect LFO depth and rate.
• Effects Section (09:45) - Here, we cover the parameters of the three effects - reverb, delay, and chorus - all of which can be used to add plenty of spatial interest to our patches.
• Global Section (03:16) - We cover the various controls located in the Global section next, including saturation, limiting, and changing the pitch bend and global transposition.
• LFO Steps (05:39) - This video focuses on the LFO steps section, which we can use to create custom LFO shapes by drawing with a pencil or line tool. Various further functions allow the LFO to be altered to have varied step numbers and to re-trigger the filter envelope for arpeggiated effects.
• Single, Dual, & Split Modes (03:50) - Next up, we investigate the three different modes of single, dual, and split. These afford us the ability to either play back a single part, two parts that can be faded between, or two parts that can be split across the keyboard so you can play one sound with your left and hand and one with your right, for example.
• Patch Browser (04:07) - Discover the categorization functions of the patch browser and also the genetics function, allowing new patches to be created from two or three existing sounds!
• Sound Design Pt. 1 (13:55) - Next up, we create a kick drum sound and a big pad from scratch using some of the techniques we've learned during the series.
• Sound Design Pt. 2 (04:12) - Finally, we create a bass sound full of analogue imperfections in Obsession.