User Manual

108 Using Sampled Instruments Dave Smith Instruments
Creating ”Granular-Style” Loops
You can also create interesting and unusual sounds by making short
loops and modulating their center point to create granular synthesis-type
effects.
To adjust the loop:
1. Recall the Basic Program and turn Oscillator 1 level down to 0.
2. In the Sample Playback section, use the type knob to select piano.
3. Use the instrument knob to select 1928 grand near. Play some notes
and listen to the instrument.
4. Press the loop button. This creates a sustain loop in the instrument.
5. Next. you’ll adjust the instrument start and end points, and create a
very short loop.
6. With the Sample Playback parameters shown in the display, press Soft
Button 4 (instr1 edit).
7. Set loop size to 110 and loop center to 506. Setting a very short loop
makes it sound more “granular” as the loop repeats a short section of
shifting harmonics.
8. Set sample start to 469 and sample end to 545. This makes the start
and end of the sample bracket the loop.
9. Next, you’ll use an LFO to slowly move the loop center point back and
forth. This makes the sound continuously shift:
10. In the lfo section, select lfo 2 and set its shape to triangle.
11. With the LFO 2 parameters shown in the main display, press Soft
Button 3 to select the lfo dest menu tab, then select inst1 center with
Soft Knob 1.
12. Set LFO 2 frequency to 48 and the LFO amount to 46.
13. Play some chords. Note how the harmonics in the sample shift as the
loop moves.
By modulating a loop’s center point, start, or end you can create some
very unique and atmospheric sounds, especially if you add effects such
as delay, reverb, phaser, and so on.