Phase Plant Explained
Join synth expert Larry Holcombe for a complete guide to Kilohearts' award-winning semi-modular virtual synth, Phase Plant. In these in-depth Phase Plant video tutorials, you'll learn how to unlock the power of this deeply versatile instrument and create sounds you've hardly dreamed of as Larry walks you through each component and feature with clear, concise explanations and demonstrations. From the oscillators and generators to the filters, effects, modulation, and more, Larry leaves no stone unturned, empowering you with the knowledge to start sculpting your own inimitable sounds right away! These Phase Plant videos are for new Phase Plant users.
Videos
• Introduction & Interface (08:44) - This video introduces the series and outlines the different areas of the interface. We also discuss the preset browser and building up your own library of sounds.
• Generators Common Controls (05:05) - We discuss the common controls on all our generators in Phase Plant next. These allow us to alter level, detune amount, and phase across the various sound sources.
• Analog Oscillator & Noise Generator (08:35) - Next up, we cover the Analog oscillator with saw, square, triangle, and sine waves included. We also demonstrate oscillator sync and the variety of unison options available and then head over to cover the Noise Generator, which allows different types of noise to be added to signals.
• Wavetable Oscillator (08:27) - This video is concerned with the Wavetable oscillator, which uses 256 frames representing individual waveforms though which you can move, resulting in morphing, evolving sounds. We also discuss basic modulation in Phase Plant.
• Sampler (08:33) - Learn about the Sampler and its editor, which allow samples to be added in as a sound layer. These can be edited in different ways and also looped forwards ad backwards.
• Granular Effect (15:49) - This video covers the Granular generator. Using tiny grains of audio, we can create very rich, often organic sounds that can be randomized in different ways. Discover the various parameters we can tweak to maximize our use of this sound source.
• Filter, Distortion, & Output Modules (08:22) - We cover the Filter, Distortion, and Output modules next. The filter and distortion modules can be added into group signal chains to sculpt and distort signals, and the output module allows signals from generators to be routed around the synth.
• Mix & Aux Modules (06:34) - In this video, we demonstrate the Mix and Aux modules, with which we can route signals around in different ways. This becomes very important when we get into audio rate modulation.
• Groups Function (10:07) - Next up, we continue to look at the very important Group function. With it, we can create discrete groups of generators, which can be very useful for layering sounds. This can also allow us to create complex signals for audio rate modulation.
• Audio Rate Modulation (12:09) - Learn about some of the examples of using audio rate modulation - including frequency and ring modulation and also white noise modulation - to create a huge supersaw!
• Curve Module (08:56) - Next up, we investigate the Output Curve module. This can be used to create simple or complex tremolo effects and can also be used as a modulation source to again create audio rate modulation and stepped modulation rhythms.
• Effects Lanes & Snapins (11:36) - We cover the Effects lanes and Snapin effects next, detailing how to set up series and parallel routings and also how to implement side-chain effects using certain effects modules.
• Modulation & Macro Knobs (08:22) - This video focuses on the way in which modulation is implemented in Phase Plant and also setting up macro controllers to modulate multiple parameters simultaneously.
• LFO, Random Modulator, & Envelopes (08:13) - Next up, we cover three modulation sources - the classic LFO, the LFO table modulator, and the classic ADSR envelope. We also demonstrate the random modulator, allowing sample and hold-style modulation signals.
• Other Modulation Sources (11:22) - Discover other modulation sources, such as Audio Follower, Pitch Tracker, Remap, and Slew Limiter while discussing some of the other modulation sources. These can often be used to adjust the output of our main modulation sources like the LFO and Curve module as well.
• Voice Settings & Unison Model (06:33) - Next up, we cover glide and polyphony settings along with demonstrating the global unison settings, including polyphonic effects.
• Wavetable Editor & Importing Wavetables (10:53) - Finally, for the synth?s parameters, we cover creating our own wavetables by drawing in waveforms through which we can morph using keyframes. We also create a wavetable using a sample.
• Creating a Huge Pad Sound (13:03) - In this final video, we create a huge, organic pad sound using the sampler and wavetable generators and introduce the multi-pass Snapin, allowing separate effects chains to be added to different frequency areas.