- "Voice synth" logical device
The "voice synth" logical device is an entity that allows you to capture your own voice from the microphone and:
- create a crossfade loop out of your voice so that you can use the timbre of your voice to play it on the MIDI keyboard
- record one-shot samples from the microphone input, assign them to specific keys on the MIDI keyboard, and then trigger those samples using the keyboard
In all the above use cases the microphone input is captured after the 'input controller' effects.
The following schema shows the main idea of this logical device:
Note! This logical device does not have GUI in the FL Studio.
Initially, the device has no input data. So the attempt to use the keyboard will lead to silence.
Use the 'Oscillators -> Sub Oscillator Octave' switch to record the crossfade loop and record some data:
- Position 1 - recording
- Position 2 - not recording
The recorded loop size is around 1 second. Recording overwrites itself. The expected workflow is the following:
- Put switch to position 1
- Simultaneously with that start to use your voice to apply the timbre. Use some beatbox sounds, e.g. siren or lip roll
- Put switch to position 2 right after recording is over
- Use the keyboard to play the sounds
Note! This switch works only if you are not in the 'one-shot samples' state.
Note! All adjustable 'crossfade loop' parameters are reset after entering 'record' mode.
When you're operating in the 'crossfade loop' mode, you can use the synth's ADSR faders in the 'Envelopes' section to change the shape of the sound:
When you're operating in the 'crossfade loop' mode, you can use the following synth's knobs to change the saturation of the sound:
The 'Effects -> Distortion' knob adjusts the saturation amount. And the 'Effects -> Osc Filter Mod' knob adjusts the saturation shape.
When you're operating in the 'crossfade loop' mode, you can use the following synth's knobs to change the crossfade loop's start and end points:
- 'Mixer -> Osc 1' moves the 'start point' cursor
- 'Mixer -> Osc 2' moves the 'end point' cursor
The above parameters can select a sub-sample from the recorded piece. In some cases, it allows you to make your sound more consistent. In others - to produce some weird sound-effects. Anyway, it is a useful feature, as it helps to find the suitable timbre in real-time during the performance.
When you're operating in the 'crossfade loop' mode, you can use the following synth's knobs to change the crossfade loop's hard sync parameters:
- 'Filters -> Mod Env Depth' adjusts the 'hard sync cycle' parameter
- 'Filters -> LFO 2 depth' adjusts the 'hard sync detune' parameter
‘Hard Sync’ borrows another concept from classic analog synths - that of oscillator sync.
In traditional synthesis, the frequency of one oscillator is forced onto the waveform of another. In Crossfade Loop Synth, this is done by adjusting the loop length so that the loop repeats at the desired audio frequency. The result is more like synthesis than sample playback - but synthesis with a waveform from the sample buffer. In effect, a kind of wavetable synthesis. By moving the loop point through your sample, you can get some nice tonal variation into your sound.
When you're operating in the 'crossfade loop' mode, you can change the record feedback parameter, using the 'Mixer -> Ext-Ring-Noise' knob on the synth:
‘Feedback’ controls the amount of feedback applied. At 0%, the new recording completely replaces the audio already in the buffer. At 100%, the new recording is layered on top of the old audio. In other settings, the old audio is reduced in volume on each pass.
It allows you to record multiple layers on top of each other.
It might be helpful when you want to:
- record 2 different timbres so that they play both together. E.g. bass + lead
- record multiple notes, so that 1 single key on the keyboard is playing a chord
Note! All adjustable 'crossfade loop' parameters are reset after entering 'record' mode. That is done by intention. In the case of this parameter, remember the default value is '0' - no feedback. That is done to erase previously recorded data once the new recording is started. If the feedback is needed, remember to enable it using the knob each time AFTER you've started the recording.
When you're operating in the 'crossfade loop' mode, you can use the following synth's knobs to change the crossfade loop's buffer size parameters:
- 'Filters -> Override' adjusts the 'buffer size Beats' parameter
- 'Filters -> Resonance' adjusts the 'buffer size Divisor' parameter
Note! On each recording of the input signal the voice synth will restore the buffer size parameters to the 2 beats size.
Use the 'Oscillators -> Wave' switch to switch to the one-shot samples recording state:
The positions have the following meanings:
- Sine wave - "crossfade loop" mode
- Square wave ( middle position ) - "one-shot samples" mode
The following workflow expected:
- Once you want to work with the one-shot samples - select the middle position of the mentioned switch
- Once you're in the "one-shot samples" mode, press any key on the keyboard to start recording that will be assigned to the selected key
- Simultaneously with that, provide some input from the microphone
- Release the key to stop the recording
- Press the same key once again to playback the recorded sample
- Repeat the same workflow for other keys, if that is needed
If you do not like what you've recorded and want to start from scratch - switch between modes - to 'crossfade loop' and then back to 'one-shot sample'. That will erase all previously recorded one-shot samples.
You can change the volume of the synth, using the 'Mixer -> Sub Osc' knob on the synth:
You can change the pan of the synth, using the 'Filters -> Frequency' knob on the synth:
To reset the pan to the center move the Pitch Wheel of the Novation Bass Station 2:
As there are not enough buttons on the KP3+ an option to control the panorama of the microphone signal was moved to the voice-synth logical device.
To adjust the pan use the Mod Wheel of the Novation Bass Station 2:
To reset the pan to the center move the Pitch Wheel of the Novation Bass Station 2:
An instance of the Snap Heap plugin is attached to the voice-synths audio chain:
It is a very versatile plugin that allows you to create a complex sound design and apply it to the voice synth sounds.
You can create and save your own presets for this plugin. It is located on the mixer channel 16. Search for the "Snap Heap" item.
Note! When saving your presets, using the FL Studio format ( *.fst ) is crucial. It ensures that you can easily reference them in the future. Storing presets in the plugin's internal format may make them inaccessible for the FL Studio MIDI scripting API.
Note! Keep track of the preset CPU usage. The more complex the effects chain you create, the greater the CPU load.
You can use the Porta -> Glide Time knob to change the level of applying the FX:
Note! When this parameter is reaching 0 level the Snap Heap VST plugin instance is turned off to decrease the CPU load.
Use the rubber buttons to switch between the created Snap Heap:
- LFOS -> LFO1 - switch to the next preset
- LFOS -> LFO1 - switch to the previous preset
Each Kilohearts Snap Heap preset might have up to 8 control knobs, which are called "Macro" knobs. We've provided access to seven of them through the Novation Bass Station 2:
- Use Oscillators -> Coarse knob to operate on the Macro #1
- Use Oscillators -> Fine knob to operate on the Macro #2
- Use Oscillators -> Mod Env depth knob to operate on the Macro #3
- Use Oscillators -> LFO 1 depth knob to operate on the Macro #4
- Use Oscillators -> Pulse Width knob to operate on the Macro #5
- Use LFOS -> LFO1 knob to operate on the Macro #6
- Use LFOS -> LFO2 knob to operate on the Macro #7
Note! We will try to find a way to inject usage of the 8th parameter. For now, there is no free place left on the Novation Bass Station 2 for it.
Note! When switching the preset, all knob values will be restored from the saved preset. No default adjustments to the current position of the knobs on the synth is taking place.