Reverse Engineering Synth Sounds Explained®
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6:01 Selecting Synthesizers
Thomas introduces the course and shows you how selecting different types of synths can help you make the various different synth sounds.
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11:31 Listening to Oscillators Pt. 1
This video covers the basic subtractive synthesizer waves and how they sound in context, and also discusses which waves to chose for different types of sounds.
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8:10 Listening to Oscillators Pt. 2
Now learn how to listen for different types of wavetable oscillators and what makes them sound different from one another. This video also shows you how to go about re-creating different wavetable sounds.
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9:40 Noise Layers
Discover how to identify and re-create different types of noise layers.
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7:14 Unison & Detuning
Learn how to hear the difference between Oscillator Detuning and Unison Controls, and when to use each of these features.
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13:14 The Filters
Learn what the different filter types sound like and when the use them to create different sounds.
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5:37 Volume Envelopes
In this video, Thomas explains how to identify the different parts of a volume envelope and how each part shapes the sound that you are wanting to create.
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9:33 Filter Envelopes
Now see how to approach and tweak filter envelopes when re-creating synth sounds.
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7:23 LFOs & Modulation
Learn how to identify LFOs, their effect on synth patches, and how to re-create the effect they are having on a sound.
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11:04 Applying Effects
This video covers how to approach using effects on sounds, what different effects layered together sound like, and how to identify them.
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11:08 Recreating a Lead Synth Pt. 1
Thomas uses a lead patch from the Serum synth and applies the methods discussed earlier to re-create the patch from scratch.
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5:32 Recreating a Lead Synth Pt. 2
In this video, Thomas wraps up the discussion on the lead by making some final adjustments to the patch.
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9:37 Recreating a Bass
Thomas now auditions a bass patch from the Serum sound bank and uses the methods learned previously to re-create the patch from scratch.
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16:17 Recreating a Pad
In this final video, Thomas shows you a pad patch from the Serum sound bank and utilizes the methods shown to re-create the patch from scratch.
Product Overview
Synth guru Thomas Cochran presents awesome synth sound design video tutorials! Have you ever heard a killer synth patch and wondered how it's made? Follow along with Thomas as he shows you how to listen to a patch and then recreate it from scratch, using any modern synth! These videos are designed for beginner hardware or virtual synth users.
Thomas greets you and then shows you how to first select the right synth for making the various different synth sounds heard throughout history, followed by an in-depth look at where any synth sound starts, with the Oscillators. Thomas also covers different kinds of synthesis including subtractive and wavetable based, which can produce an almost endless palette of sounds.
Applying noise layers is then explored, plus you'll see how using Unison modes and Oscillator Detuning can beef up your patches dramatically. Thomas then moves onto the Filter section of the synths, where you can sculpt your sounds and set their overall character creatively and dynamically.
Throughout the rest of the videos Thomas covers how to use LFOs, Modulation and routing, applying effects to sculpt your sound, and then gives you real-world examples of how to reverse engineer patch staples like Leads, Basses and Pads, all from scratch.
To see what these detailed synth sound design tutorials show you, and how they'll help you to understand and identify what's going on in any synth patch, see the individual synthesizer sound design video tutorial descriptions on this page. Turbocharge your synth programming skills now... Watch "Reverse Engineering Synth Sounds Explained®" today!
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Reviews
Submitted 1 year ago
One of the most helpful sound design courses I've seen
This is one of the most helpful and well organized sound design courses I've seen. I wish I had this when I was first starting out. Essential viewing for any synth player, producer or engineer. Although there was some weird problem with the sound, where any time he would play his synth patches you could hear some scratchy noise over the top. Might be the mastering or something. Had to take a star off the quality of video for that.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
Terrific for beginners; less for intermediates
This is a terrific course for beginners because it covers every aspect of synthesizers and is then directly applied. It's also great that this course is synthesizer independent: Serum is used in most of the examples but you can use any wavetable synth should you prefer. It's a bit strange though that the author assumes you already have basic synthesizer knowledge and then goes on covering envelopes, LFO's, etc... in detail, which is pretty basic info in my opinion. As an intermediate synth sound designer I expected some more advanced topics and skipped through most of the course. But for beginners this is absolutely great.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
Excellent!
This course is excellent. It's not just for intermediate users, but I think if a beginner wants to learn some basics about sound design, this would be the perfect starting point. The author has explained all the important things clearly and nicely. Thank you, Groove3!
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
A great sound design tutorial!
This is a very well thought out and easy to follow tutorial on synth sound design. If you want to understand how to create your own synth sounds, start here! Highly recommended!!
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
A MUST View For Beginner & Intermediate Synth Students
This is an absolutely terrific video tutorial on why a synth patch sounds the way it does - and how to recreate a similar sounding patch using your own synth. It covers some very important synth basics as well as providing lots of drill downs on how key synth parameters work. Love the visual combination of keyboard display with parameter tweaking and resulting waveform shaping. You really get to see and hear, at the same time, how things work - all combined with very clear explanations. This video is the real deal!
I am a: Student, Hobbyist, Musician, Sound Designer, Reason
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Reviews
Submitted 1 year ago
One of the most helpful sound design courses I've seen
This is one of the most helpful and well organized sound design courses I've seen. I wish I had this when I was first starting out. Essential viewing for any synth player, producer or engineer. Although there was some weird problem with the sound, where any time he would play his synth patches you could hear some scratchy noise over the top. Might be the mastering or something. Had to take a star off the quality of video for that.
Submitted 1 year ago
Terrific for beginners; less for intermediates
This is a terrific course for beginners because it covers every aspect of synthesizers and is then directly applied. It's also great that this course is synthesizer independent: Serum is used in most of the examples but you can use any wavetable synth should you prefer. It's a bit strange though that the author assumes you already have basic synthesizer knowledge and then goes on covering envelopes, LFO's, etc... in detail, which is pretty basic info in my opinion. As an intermediate synth sound designer I expected some more advanced topics and skipped through most of the course. But for beginners this is absolutely great.
Submitted 1 year ago
Excellent!
This course is excellent. It's not just for intermediate users, but I think if a beginner wants to learn some basics about sound design, this would be the perfect starting point. The author has explained all the important things clearly and nicely. Thank you, Groove3!
Submitted 1 year ago
A great sound design tutorial!
This is a very well thought out and easy to follow tutorial on synth sound design. If you want to understand how to create your own synth sounds, start here! Highly recommended!!
Submitted 1 year ago
A MUST View For Beginner & Intermediate Synth Students
This is an absolutely terrific video tutorial on why a synth patch sounds the way it does - and how to recreate a similar sounding patch using your own synth. It covers some very important synth basics as well as providing lots of drill downs on how key synth parameters work. Love the visual combination of keyboard display with parameter tweaking and resulting waveform shaping. You really get to see and hear, at the same time, how things work - all combined with very clear explanations. This video is the real deal!
I am a: Student, Hobbyist, Musician, Sound Designer, Reason
Thomas Cochran electronic musician and multi instrumentalist from Austin Texas, who now lives in Los Angeles. He focuses on creating electronic music that features both ambient and classical influences.
1. When did you start dabbling in music?
I started playing music at a young age, starting with classical guitar. This started my love for music and eventually expanded into learning other instruments as well. To date, I have had over ten years of classical experience and training as well as additional instrumental experience.
2. What training have you had?
I grew up studying classical guitar and composition and eventually started applying my classical knowledge to learning other instruments as well, ranging from violin, cello, keys, and drums.
3. When did you get intro recording?
I got into recording out of necessity when me and some friends started a band back in high school and couldn't afford studio time. Through this, I learned about music production and recording and haven't looked back since.
4. Why are you so good at training people?
I love learning about the technical aspects of music production, this helps me understand the how music production works under the hood. I have also worked for several years creating music production tutorials online.
Products by Thomas
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tutorial videoAbleton Live 11: Making a Song
Studio wiz Thomas Cochran presents creative Ableton Live 11 video tutorials! If you are new to Ableton Live 11 and want to see how to put together a cool track from scratch, stop right here. Thomas shows you how to make a cool new-style R&B track utilizing many of the new features found in Ableton Live 11. You also get the Ableton Live 11 project with all the audio so you can follow along on your system. These videos are for those who have some basic Ableton Live knowledge but want to see ways to produce a song.
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tutorial videoAbleton Live 11: New Features Explained
Ableton pro Thomas Cochran delivers in-depth Ableton Live 11 video tutorials! If you're new to Ableton Live 11 and want to know all about the new features and functions that were added, this is the video series for you. Thomas also provides a Live Project file so you can follow along with the comping video lesson on your Live computer setup. These videos are for those who already know Ableton Live, but want to learn specifically about the new additions to version 11.
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tutorial videoAbleton Live: Beginner's Guide to Beat Making
Thomas Cochran shows you how to make your very first beat with Ableton Live! See how to produce your first beat from scratch, using nothing but Ableton Live, including software installation and understanding Live's layout, all the way to exporting your finished beat and more. This series is designed for the absolute newcomer to Ableton Live.
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tutorial videoAbleton Live: Producing Alternative R&B
Studio pro Thomas Cochran delivers in-depth Ableton Live production video tutorials! See how to make a complete Alternative R&B song in the style of Frank Ocean and The Weekend from scratch, step-by-step using only Ableton Live. This course is for those who are already familiar with Ableton Live, but want to learn Alternative R&B sound design and production techniques. You also get the samples and presets used in the videos so you can follow along on your studio system.
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tutorial videoAbleton Live: Things You Need to Know
Thomas Cochran presents essential Ableton Live video tutorials! Discover the things you need to know when using Ableton Live, such as cool tip & tricks, workflows, helpful and creative ways to Sequence MIDI, use effects, mix and more! These videos are for those who already have experience with Ableton Live, but want to learn more and improve their skillset.
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Studio expert Thomas Cochran presents detailed sample pack creation video tutorials! If you've always wanted to make your own sample packs to use for your own productions, or to give or sell to others, this video series will show you how to do it step by step, all from scratch. (Note: this series does not cover how to sell or distribute your sample packs, just creating them). Thomas also provides the Ableton Live Project file so you can follow along if you have Ableton Live, plus the MIDI files that can be used in any DAW, and the Serum virtual synth presets he makes throughout the tutorials so you can further experiment and tweak them! This video series is for those who are new to making sample packs.
Synth expert Tyler Coffin delivers comprehensive Arturia Emulator II V tutorials! Experience Arturia's recreation of a seminal sampling workhorse from the '80s, the E-Mu Systems Emulator II. Learn and explore all of the Emulator II V's features and functions, as well as see how to create amazing sounds with this spot-on recreation from scratch. These videos are designed for new Arturia Emulator II V users.
The All-Access Pass gives you just that, instant online access to every single video tutorial currently on the site and any ones that get added during your membership.
Eli Krantzberg presents comprehensive MIDI Orchestration video tutorials! If you've ever wanted to start creating orchestral arrangements and motifs, this is the series that will get you on your way. Learn all about the important basics of orchestrating today's virtual instruments with MIDI and create truly authentic sounding orchestral parts. This series is meant to replace Eli's original MIDI Orchestration Explained, adding more info and utilizing current virtual instruments for a more up to date learning experience. You also get the MIDI files that Eli creates throughout the videos so you can import them into your DAW and follow along. These videos are for those new to MIDI orchestration.
Synth wiz Tyler Coffin presents comprehensive Arturia ARP2600 V tutorials! See and hear how Arturia has recreated a true classic synth of the '70s, the ARP 2600 synthesizer. Explore and learn all of the ARP2600 V's features and functions, as well as how to make awesome sounds with this powerful virtual recreation. In addition, you also get the presets made in the video series to experiment with and use for your tracks. These videos are designed for new Arturia ARP2600 V users.
Logic guru Larry Holcombe brings you Logic Pro video tutorials covering everything you need to know to fully understand drum synthesis and program your own impactful drum sounds from scratch, using nothing but Logic Pro! To make learning this topic easier, you also get all the patches that are created in the video tutorials, as well as the Logic Pro session and samples, so you can follow along on your system. These videos are for those who already know how to use Logic Pro, but want to get a deeper understanding of the art of sound designing electronic drum sounds in Logic Pro.
Synth wiz Michael Morrise brings you in-depth sound design u-he Repro video tutorials! See and hear how to program great sounding patches from scratch using the amazing u-he Repro virtual synthesizer, which faithfully recreates the sounds of the legendary Sequential Circuits Pro 1 and Prophet 5 analog synthesizers. These videos are designed for those who already know how to use u-he Repro, but want to see interesting ways to program patches from scratch. As a bonus, you also get the finished Repro patches and the Logic Pro session used in the videos to further experiment with.
Synth pro Tyler Coffin delivers in-depth Arturia Juno-6 V tutorials! See and hear how Arturia has recreated one of the most legendary '80s synths, the Roland Juno-6 synthesizer. Learn all of the Juno-6 V's features and functions as well as how to make classic sounds with this amazing virtual recreation. In addition, you also get the presets made in the video series. These videos are designed for new Arturia Jun-6 V users.
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What's better than a free virtual synthesizer? Free video tutorials for it! Eli Krantzberg and Groove3 are proud to present FREE Pendulate video tutorials. Learn all about this new free chaotic monosynth from Eventide and Newfangled Audio, that uses a brand new double-pendulum-oscillator to create previously unheard sounds. These free videos are designed for new Pendulate users.
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