ableton live performance
pERCUSsION
ESSENTIALS
4+ HOURS OF TUTORIAL VIDEOS
December 2014 / CM211
MODULAR SYNTHESIS Master the ultimate in raw synth power – and patch your amazing new XILS-lab synth like a pro!
FREE SYNTH!
XILS 3 CM
PLUS! B
uild effects in Reaktor
SAMPLES 900 scarily good loops, hits, atmospheres + more
PLUS! propellerhead REASON 8 + 20 MORE reviews
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Modular systems kickstarted analogue synthesis in the 60s, but it would take simpler instruments like the Minimoog to popularise it. Yet eventually, producers just wanted more, leading to a resurging appetite for the ultimate in raw synth power: modular synthesis! It’s all come full circle in software too. Back in the 90s, software modulars began to surface, which might seem odd considering the feeble CPUs of the day, but it makes perfect sense: modular soft synths can take advantage of all available CPU power due to their configurability, offering a degree of futureproofing. This is, essentially, what makes NI’s über-popular Reaktor 5 a better modular today than when it was released nearly a decade ago. Make no mistake: modular synthesis is hot once more, but this time around, we’ve got the computing muscle to fully unleash its awesome potential. But how are you going to unleash all that pent-up synthesis potency? With the help of our monstrous Modular Synthesis feature starting on p32, that’s how! No modular synth? No problem! We’re giving you one of those too: the truly exceptional XILS 3 CM from XILS-lab. Enjoy that and…
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PART 2
46 M odular track-builder with XILS 3 CM We put together a modern house track using modular-era methods
PART 3 PART 1
MODULAR SYNTHESIS
48 F urther modular synthesis
Check out some other modular synths for their own unique take on the concept
PART 4
Master the ultimate expression of raw synthesis power and patch your XILS-lab synth to perfection! It all begins on p32
50 re aktor 5 fx builder
Producer masterclass
Tutorial
59 TeCHNIMATIC
63 going LIVE
Regulars
Tutorial
Interview
71
82
We catch up with the DnB dons in their London studio to find out how they put their tracks together
76
eek technique: g perfect punch
78
he easy guide: t diatonic harmony
80
esigner sounds: d ultimate vocoding
Create custom effects and tinker with their circuits – we’ve got everything you need to get started with NI’s modular meisterwerk
Take Ableton’s DAW out for a night on the town as we explain how to turn an arrangement into a live playable session
percussion essentials
Essentials
88
propellerhead reason 8
20
inbox
90
fabfilter pro-q 2
22
n ews
92
Izotope rx 4
29
burning question
94
cableguys volumeshaper 4
30
Subscribe
96
zynaptiq unchirp
57
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PLUS 19 MORE products reviewed!
4 / Computer Music / December 2014
107 back issues
workshop
We talk to the godfathers of British electronica
Liven up stale projects with rhythms that can’t be beat
Reviews
radiophonic
114
BLAST FROM THE PAST: Moog Modular
This issue’s exclusive free content from Computer Music
download XILS 3 cm This exclusive plugin brings practically unlimited sonic potential. Learn to wield it starting on p38
Tutorial videos 39 high-quality videos to guide you through our tutorials. Wherever you see the below icon, there’s a video version to watch
S AMPLES This chilling pack of deeply disturbed sounds is scarily good! Get the lowdown on p10
Tutorial files
CM Plugins
A folder full of audio examples, synth patches and project files to help you follow our tutorials
Our exclusive collection of free plugins for Mac and PC. See what’s available on p14
Download Our fantastic software, samples, videos* and tutorial files are now available to download! To get access, head to vault.computermusic.co.uk on your PC or Mac’s web browser. You’ll be asked to register and answer a few simple questions to prove that you’ve got the mag. You’ll then be given access to our content! You can sign in any time to register new issues and download more content. Technimatic take apart Night Vision in this month’s Producer Masterclass video, p59
* The Producer Masterclass video is not currently available as a download, though a solution to this is being worked on. Apple Newsstand readers can still watch the video via built-in internet streaming – just hit the Play Video button on the page.
December 2014 / Computer Music / 5
video We’ve crammed hours of video into this issue. Download it on your PC or Mac at vault.computermusic.co.uk part 2:
MODULAR TRACKBUILDER FREQ
MOD
We make a house track in the ‘modular mindset’
RES
Read this section from p46
MODULAR SYNTHESIS part 1: introducing xils 3 cm Get into this issue’s astounding free plugin and begin your modular synthesis journey… 1 Creating an electronic drum beat with XILS 3 CM
Read the full article on p32
2 Basic play and standard functions of XILS 3 CM
3 Patching a basic sound with XILS 3 CM’s pin matrix
4 A closer look at XILS 3 CM’s oscillators
2 Synthesising a modular-style riff
5 A visual guide to XILS 3’s ADSR & trapezoid envelopes
6 Using the Envelope Shaper module in XILS 3 CM
7 Ring modulation zaps with the trapezoid envelope
3 Deconstructing a track created with XILS 3 CM
8 Mimicking Pink Floyd’s On The Run with XILS 3 CM
9 Modulating modulators in XILS 3 CM
10 Assigning parameters using MIDI Learn
BONUS Track Playthrough
6 / Computer Music / December 2014
video part 3:
part 4:
Get your head around two more terrific modular synths
Build your very own filtered delay effect – we show you how!
FURTHER MODULAR SYNTHESIS
Read this section from p48
1 Aalto CM’s FM synthesis, patching and sequencer
Building effects in Reaktor 5
Read the full article on p50
3 Setting up a custom macro delay effect
1 Using Reaktor to make a basic Haas stereo widener
2 Designing a basic interface in Reaktor
4 Creating a wet/dry mix control in Reaktor
5 Adding resonant filtered feedback
1 Prepping an Ableton Live set for performance
2 Configuring a set for on-the-fly MIDI control
4 Recording MIDI live into the session
5 Jamming and recording audio into Ableton Live
going LIVE
2 Sample-mangling with KarmaFX Synth
download Our fantastic software, samples, videos and tutorial files are available to download! To get access, go to vault.computermusic.co.uk on your PC or Mac’s web browser. You’ll be asked to register and answer a few simple questions to prove that you’ve got the mag. You’ll then be given access to our content! You can sign in any time to register new issues and download more content. For more info, see our Vault FAQ over at: bit.ly/cmvaultfaq
Struggling to bring your Ableton Live Arrangements into the Session view? Here’s how to prep and play your sets
Read the full article on p63
3 Performing an Ableton Live set
December 2014 / Computer Music / 7
video We’ve crammed hours of video into this issue. Download it onto your PC or Mac at vault.computermusic.co.uk
Producer Masterclass*
GEEK TECHNIQUE: PERFECT PUNCH Owen Palmer shows us how he makes a kick with impact in the first of his new regular series
1 Studying the principles of punch
TECHNIMATIC We see how the liquid DnB twosome created Night Vision in this 92-minute in-studio session
Read the full article on p76
Read the full article on p59
DESIGNER SOUNDS: vocoded vocals
EASY GUIDE: DIATONIC HARMONY Chords, chords everywhere, but which go with your track? Dave Clews will show you the way to safe waters
2 Synthesising perfect punch
Read the full article on p78
8 / Computer Music / December 2014
InsideInfo crafts robotic vocals with NI Razor and Image-Line’s Vocodex
Read the full article on p80
video PERCUSSION ESSENTIALS Keep your top line jamming along with these ten inspiring ways to get more groove in your DAW
1 The importance of syncopation
Read the full article on p71
download
2 Programming simple synth percussion
3 Recording & processing homemade DIY percussion
4 Thinning out busy percussion for a mix
5 One-shot percussion sounds used as spot FX
6 Authentic Afro-Cuban son and rumba clave patterns
7 Building up a layered percussion ensemble
8 Envelope-filtered congas for added funk
9 Harnessing the power of the timpani
Our fantastic software, samples, videos and tutorial files are now available to download! To get access to this content, go to vault.computermusic.co.uk on your PC or Mac’s web browser. You’ll be asked to register and answer a few simple questions to prove that you’ve got the mag. You’ll then be given access to our content! You can sign in any time to
register new issues and download more content. For more info, see our Vault FAQ: bit.ly/cmvaultfaq
10 Doubling snare drums with high-impact hits
* Please note that the Producer Masterclass video is not available as a download via our Vault, though Apple Newsstand users can watch the video via built-in internet streaming.
December 2014 / Computer Music / 9
> download / samples
Samples
Horrorscapes Over 900 spine-tingling samples designed to creep out your tracks, free with this issue We don’t usually make a big deal about it, but we think Computer Music magazine is haunted. The rattling chains of wrists attached to desks, the ghost of an ex-editor floating around our reviews pages, and the way money keeps mysteriously disappearing from the budget – there are forces beyond our control at work. Knee-deep in ectoplasm, we embraced our situation and decided to let our intrepid sample hunters Groove Criminals and Cyclick put the willies up you as only they can with a spooky selection of grisly FX and terrifying tones.
Groove Criminals
Groove Criminals’ Oli Bell was once voted ‘most likely to be an axe-murderer’ – an accusation that’s yet to be disproven. Heeeere’s Oli! “For the synth multisamples and loops, we tried to keep John Carpenter’s warm synth soundtracks in mind, using a mix of hardware and software synths to sculpt something truly monstrous. We also sneaked in a few samples from an 80s Yamaha FB-01 FM module that just arrived,” he says in a paranoid manner. “The DIY processed FX came from a couple of tins we knocked up, both containing a soldered contact Piezo transducer. One we soldered different lengths/gauges of bass guitar strings to, and the other has a section of slinky spring
and the chime coil from a clock attached. These rather rudimental instruments were then stroked, struck, scraped and plucked before being sent through outboard reverb and delays. “The SFX were all created at GCHQ after a long recording session of vegetable and fruit abuse. Cabbages, melons, oranges, carrots and celery were stabbed, gouged, slashed, ripped and destroyed in the name of Foley. These raw sounds (which we’ve included for you to muck about with) were then processed and layered to make some rather disgusting-sounding horror sound effects.” Goad Oli into turning up on your doorstep, axe in hand, via @GrooveCriminals.
Cyclick
Cyclick’s Robbie Stamp arrived at the office in a bloodstained trenchcoat, clutching a USB stick and gazing right through us. “The loops and lines are made across four tempos that were derived from some classic horror soundtracks. To keep things tight, the keys have been kept to a (relatively) even spread of C, A and E,” says Robbie expressionlessly. “Tonally, it’s a mish-mash of twisted scales featuring a bucket-load of minor seconds and flattened fifths – it wouldn’t be horror without them.
download Get this exclusive sample pack on your PC/Mac at vault.computermusic.co.uk
“Cabbages, melons, oranges, carrots and celery were gouged, stabbed, slashed, ripped and destroyed in the name of Foley” “Some of the instruments have been multisampled (the glockenspiel, tubular bells, double basses, cellos and synth basses) and collated into SFZ format for Alchemy Player CM. The synth bass multisamples also have their sustain loops embedded into the WAV files. “The Treated Church Atmos samples are manipulated sound from a recording I made whilst walking about a local cathedral – the organist was playing, and lots of people were milling about. Feeding the 11 minutes of sound, captured in my iPhone, through two chains of effects and some outboard has lent the pleasant atmosphere of the cathedral a somewhat dark and threatening tone, making for a nice (or nasty) accompaniment to the musical samples. “For the VideoOrgan lines, having edited piano MIDI parts to work with a church organ patch, I took the dry organ and treated it through EQ, a touch of distortion and reverb before using the UAD Ampex ATR-102 tape plugin to heavily reduce quality, add noise and a whole lot of wow and flutter, giving it the sound I remember from those videos I used to rent as a teenager.” Robbie is standing behind you. @CyclickBob.
938 EXCLUSIVE SAMPLES
All these royalty-free samples await on your disc or via download
10 / Computer Music / December 2014
Including… 14 multisamples 31 treated church atmospheres 21 other atmospheres 42 hits/stings 265 loops 59 processed DIY recordings 94 FX