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151Logic Pro Instruments
7. Click the source select buttons at the left for sources B, C, and D, then click the
Additive, Spectral, Pitch, Formant, Granular, and Sampler buttons at the upper right to
view the parameters of each synthesis engine.
8. Listen to each source in isolation, and experiment with these synthesizer engine
parameters to get a feel for what each engine provides for imported material.
The use of different synthesis engines enables different kinds of manipulation options
for each source, providing different sonic characteristics. Beyond the comparatively
simple combining of sources and synthesis engines in this way, you can perform a
sophisticated form of cross-synthesis with Alchemy morphing features. See Logic Pro
Alchemy elemental morphs overview.
Logic Pro Alchemy elemental morphs overview
Most people are familiar with the concept of morphing images and 3D graphics. We’ve
all seen the videos of a human face morphing from one face to another, or transforming
from a young to an older version of the same face. The idea of morphing between sounds
commonly involves transitioning between the filter values, envelope shape, or amount of
reverb for each sound. The Performance controls in Alchemy, particularly the Transform
pad, allow this type of parameter morphing, often moving between multiple synth and
effect settings simultaneously to produce dramatic changes to the sound.
Alchemy can also perform a deeper and more powerful form of morphing referred to as
elemental morphing. Elemental morphing is an advanced form of morphing that operates at
the sound generation level, making it possible to combine core characteristics of different
sounds, technically referred to as cross-synthesis. It allows new sounds to be created by
mixing and matching elements from multiple source sounds. Elemental morphing expands
the possibilities for creative sound design well beyond what is possible with the parameter
morphing described in the paragraph above.
The Alchemy additive, spectral, granular, and formant synthesis engines are key facilitators
for this type of morphing. Each synthesis method has inherent strengths and weaknesses,
making them more suitable for certain sound types than other synthesis engines. Having all
of them available in Alchemy makes it a unique and powerful morphing tool. Another critical
component for elemental morphing is Alchemy’s ability to reconstruct audio using these
synthesis engines; a process called resynthesis. Resynthesis makes it possible to perform
elemental morphing on any audio because it creates a synthesized facsimile of the original
sound that affords more manipulation options than a static sample. Without resynthesis,
elemental morphing would be limited to sounds built from scratch within Alchemy.
Successful morphing depends on developing an understanding of which engine is best
suited for the type of audio material you are working with. Your choice also affects the type
and number of sound shaping options available. Morphing is a complex process with many
variables that can impact on the results. As with any form of synthesis, the more you work
with it and the more familiar you become with its strengths and weaknesses, the easier and
faster it is to create sounds you have in mind.
See Logic Pro Alchemy morph use and tips, Morph drum beats in Logic Pro Alchemy, and
Morph melodic sounds in Logic Pro Alchemy.