Opal Morphing Synthesizer Explained
Universal Audio's Opal Morphing Synthesizer is a powerful instrument with a lot of creative muscle under the hood. In this Opal Morphing Synthesizer video course, veteran Groove3 instructor Eli Krantzberg shows you the ropes, demonstrating everything you need to know to start generating your own expressive, dynamic sounds for your next track quickly. All the features and functions, including the oscillators, filter, LFO, sample and hold, and much more, are covered in detail, while the many audio demonstrations will give you a good idea of what this synth in capable of. These videos are for new Opal Morphing Synthesizer users.
How It Works
• Opal Morphing Synth Flyover (08:51) - Get a quick overview of the instrument interface, signal flow, modulation system, other main functions, and more.
• Oscillator Basics (06:32) - Learn how to select between analog and wavetable shapes and how to have the first oscillator?s frequency modulated by the output of the second oscillator. Then set up some simple modulation to morph the oscillator shapes and frequency modulation (FM) amount.
• Additional Oscillator Functions (08:01) - Explore the oscillator sync, amplitude modulation (AM), sub oscillator, and the LFO Free and Note On trigger mode functions. Follow along as a simple bass patch is set up using some of these features.
• Filter Basics (05:23) - See and hear how the morphing multi-mode filters work and sound and watch as a simple modulation routing is set up for some controlled morphing.
• Additional Filter Functions (08:39) - Explore the velocity controls for filter cutoff and envelope, the filter insert FX, and use of the two filters in various routing schemes.
• LFOs: Beyond the Basics (06:54) - Explore the various LFO shape morphing parameters, the various trigger modes, and the use of an additional LFO to modulate the rate of the primary LFO for interesting rhythmic fluctuations.
• Sample & Hold (03:00) - See how this modulation routing source is set up with two unique inputs that are blended with a mix knob and a choice of trigger modes. It's then put to work generating subtle hard sync motion on a wavetable sound source.
• Multi Segment Function Generators (11:09) - Explore deeper modulation routings using the Muti segment envelope generators, as they are used to modulate traditional partners as well as envelopes.
• Voice Settings (05:28) - Learn how to set up Opal?s polyphony, portamento/glide parameters, vibrato and pitch bend range, and global tuning.
• Output FX Routing (03:43) - Explore the various output effects routing options available in the FX display panel.
Sound Design
• Bass-tastic (10:38) - A complex bass sound combining analog and wavetable oscillators with four macros is built up from scratch.
• Gate-tastic (10:00) - Follow along as a rhythmic generating patch is set up using the aux envelope, with lots of wavetable, dual filter, LFO, panning, and effects movement.
• Move-tastic (08:19) - Watch as a complex and morphing ostinato generating sound is deconstructed. The Multi segment envelope generator is put to work creating a tense melodic pattern over evolving, sustained tones. The macros are set up to increase the tension via timbral and rhythmic filter offsets.
• Clav-tastic (07:17) - A simple, percussive clav-style sound is built up from scratch, complete with filter insert FX, macro control, and more.
• Drum-tastic (11:05) - Hi hat, kick, and snare sounds are created and modified using Opal?s on-board sound sources, filters, effects, modulation, and other functions.
• Lead-tastic (06:58) - A complex, customized lead sound, including wavetable scanning, sub octave control, mono/glide pitch transitions, and secondary modulation to control LFO speed, is deconstructed.