TWO FREE PLUGINS
3GB SAMPLES SPECIAL OFFER INSIDE!
FREE D16 PLUGIN* WORTH
$49 7 to choose from when you subscribe *Terms apply – see page 71. Expires 15 June 2016
July 2016 / CM231
POWER
Perfect the most vital sounds in your mix and get them grooving as one with our deep guide
FREE
PLUS! 1000s 2 FREE PLUGINS OF SAMPLES FREE SOUNDWARE
DOWNLOAD
SAMPLE ESSENTIALS
WORTH
$29
PART 2
FOR FULL VERSION
NE
W
AS SOLD FO
R
18GB SAMPLES
FREE MAC PLUGIN
CLUSTER 2
$29
boost your creativity! JAZZ/FUNK CHORDS DRUM FILL TIPS USING UPWARD COMPRESSION all with video!
!
Animate any sound with the full version of Sinevibes’ creative AU filter
+ SOFTWARE + Tutorials
CL
CL
AS SI
C!
VOL. 3
AS SI
C!
ULTIMATE PERCUSSION
4500 SAMPLES FREE PC/MAC PLUGIN
DEEMONITOR
Essential VST/AU mixing tool
FREE VST/AU COLLECTION
60 AND EFFECTS
INSTRUMENTS
FOR PC & MAC ON THIS DVD
INTERVIEW
DnB MASTER
RONI SIZE
intro / computer music < WANT A FREE D16 PLUGIN WORTH $49? See page 71 for details
HOW TO USE
download
Wherever you see this icon, there’s downloadable content such as videos, software, samples and tutorial files. See the Contents on the next page to find out how to access our Vault download area. Tutorials featuring this icon make use of our own Plugins – find out all about them on p18. This icon means there are extra files to help you follow a tutorial feature: project files, audio examples, etc.
Tutorial
Files
There’s extra video content wherever you see this icon. See and hear the latest software in action! Get the video on the Vault, or youtube.com/computermusicmag
VIDEO WITH… 2 MINUTES
www.computermusic.co.uk
WWW
computermusic@futurenet.com www.facebook.com/computer.music.mag www.twitter.com/computermusicuk www.youtube.com/computermusicmag
Subscribe to Computer Music!
See p34
Where to get Print in stores and online www.myfavouritemagazines.com
Zinio for PC, Mac, Android, iPad & more
Download See page 5 to find out how to download this issue’s exclusive content
welcome Last month, we introduced D16 Group’s debut Plugin, the astonishing Frontier, and we also dropped hints of a very special offer that could net you another free D16 plugin. So here it is: simply subscribe – or renew, if you’re already a between 18 May and 15 June and get any subscriber – to D16 SilverLine effects plugin, worth $49/€39/£32, absolutely free! With subs starting at just £27 a year, you’d be barmy not to take advantage of this history-making deal. Deciding which of the seven SilverLine effects to go for could be tough, though – so flip to p65 for our in-depth guide to the creative talents of these superb studio essentials, and read the full offer details on p71. Still hungry for freebies? Check this out: we’ve doubled up on plugin giveaways this month to bring you an exclusive new monitoring utility from Dotec-Audio, as well as the full version of Sinevibes’ Cluster 2, worth $29! And there’s Part 2 of our Sample Essentials collection, packing in three slick sample sets to inspire your productions. The print edition of this issue even includes a hard copy of all this goodness in the form of a free DVD – it’s all on the Vault too, of course. This issue is special, then, but for me, it’s doubly so, as this is my final instalment of Welcome. Yep, after ten years at Computer Music, I’m leaving the Editor’s sweet spot, with our super-talented Features Editor mix. I’ve Joe Rossitter taking over the had a sneak peek of what Joe’s got lined up for you, and trust me, it’s huge – just flip to p58 to find out about the unbelievable issue he’s cued up for us all next time! Why not subscribe so you don’t miss it? And to bag your free D16 plugin, of course. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to clear my desk, take off my well-worn editing trousers, then head on home to…
“Subscribe and get a D16 effects plugin!”
Enjoy the issue
www.zinio.com
iOS app store
Google Play
for iPad, iPhone & iPod touch
for Android & Chrome for PC/Mac
bit.ly/CMusicApp
play.google.com
Lee du-Caine Editor
Issue 231 JULY 2016
contents
Cover feature
FREE D16 PLUGIN*
Tutorial 7 to choose from when you subscribe *Terms apply – see page 71. Expires 15 June 2016
+ POWER Our comprehensive guide to mastering your low end, once and for all, p36 65 get creative with d16 Silverline effects
Get acquainted with D16 Group’s amazing line of processors, and see how to get one for yourself
Producer masterclass
/experts
59 TOMMY VERCETTI Step into the his studio to see how he manufactures his Balearic beats and basslines in FL Studio
80
84
easy guide: jazz/funk chords
82
GEEK TECHNIQUE: upward compression
86
esigner sounds: d stretch and shift
r beat: d push and pull
Tutorial
Interview
73 drum fills
88 R ONI SIZE
Put some flair into your programmed drum phrases
Reviews
Essentials
96
tracktion 7
26
news
98
roli seaboard rise 49
32
what’s on your drive
100 auria pro
33
burning question
102
34
Subscribe
104 cableguys panshaper
58
next issue
PLUS 22 MORE products reviewed
64
back issues
garritan personal orchestra 5
4 / Computer Music / July 2016
Hear the story of this drum ’n’ bass icon, first-hand
114
BLAST FROM THE PAST: Pultec EQP-1A
Download Get our software, samples and videos via Vault download
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
On your PC or Mac, go to vault.computermusic.co.uk, then either register for a new Vault account, or log in if you already have one.
Click ‘add a magazine’ in the top bar, select the issue you want to add to your Vault (eg, this issue is 231), and answer a few simple security questions.
Go to ‘my vault’ to see all your mags – click a cover and use the links to download! You can download as much or as little as you like.
DVD + DOWNLOAD
DOWNLOAD EXCLUSIVE Tutorial videos High-quality videos to guide you through our tutorials. Wherever you see the icon on the left, there’s a video version to watch
Sinevibes Cluster 2
The full version of this Mac AU effects plugin worth $29 is yours to download, p10
See this issue’s entire video content on the next pages
Dotec-Audio DeeMonitor Emulate monitors, and tweak mid, side, left and right channels with this utility plugin, p14
Sample Essentials Part 2
Tutorial files A folder full of audio examples, synth patches and project files to help you follow our tutorials
INSTANT FILLS
Punctuate your tracks in no time with this talented pack of 914 ready-baked drum fills, p16
ULTIMATE PERCUSSION & CITY NIGHTS 3672 more samples also free to download with this issue!
VOL. 3
ULTIMATE PERCUSSION
CM Plugins Our exclusive collection of free plugins for Mac and PC. See what’s available on p18
This digital content has been thoroughly scanned and tested at all stages of production, but as with all new software, we still recommend that you run a virus checker before use. We also recommend that you have an up-to-date backup of your hard drive before using the content. Future cannot accept responsibility for any disruption, damage and/or loss to your data or computer system that may occur while using this magazine’s programs and/or data. Consult your network administrator before installing any software on a networked computer. If you have problems using our Vault download system, please contact vaultsupport@futurenet.com.
July 2016 / Computer Music / 5
video Get all these videos on PC/Mac at vault.computermusic.co.uk
Kick & Bass POWER
Get them as powerful as possible while still grooving together using the advice in our huge guide Read the full article on p36
1 Enhancing and processing an acoustic bass drum
2 Kick drum synthesis in NI Massive
3 EQing a synthesised kick for punch and presence
4 Key techniques for kick drum layering
5 Solidifying bass with EQ, compression and distortion
6 Enhancing sub bass with parallel distortion
7 Building a trap-style TR-808 kick-bass
8 Bass layering for max weight and presence
9 Finding the perfect kick/bass combo
10 Kick and bass tuning and programming
11 Pro EQ tricks to slot kick and bass together
12 Advanced kick and bass sidechaining
13 Frequency-specific sidechaining on kick and bass
14 Using parallel multiband compression to gel kick & bass
Download
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
6 / Computer Music / July 2016
5 Um cumquam rem nonseque de verspist register new issues and download moredent content. For more info, see our Vault FAQ: bit.ly/cmvaultfaq * Please note that the Producer Masterclass video is not available as a download via our Vault. See page 60 for viewing instructions, or watch on Apple Newsstand via built-in internet streaming.
video Get all these videos on PC/Mac at vault.computermusic.co.uk
SINEVIBES CLUSTER 2 This Mac AU sequencer-driven effects plugin is yours for free, with this issue only Read the full article on p10
dotec-audio DEEMONITOR Simulate monitors and take control of your signal’s channels with this indispensable software utility Read the full article on p14
Producer Masterclass*
Get creative with d16 effects Take these pro plugins for a ride, and claim one for free when you subscribe or renew! Read the full article on p65
2 Cavernous rising and falling effects with Toraverb
1 Snaking acid lines with Devastor 2 and Fazortan
3 Synth processing with Redoptor and Antresol
Tommy vercetti Watch as he deconstructs one of his Ibizainspired tunes in this in-studio video session 4 Retro noise FX sweep with Decimort 2 and Antresol
5 Distorted, telephonestyle vocal effects
* Please note that the Producer Masterclass video is not available as a download via our Vault. See page 60 for viewing instructions, or watch on Apple Newsstand via built-in internet streaming.
Read the full article on p59
July 2016 / Computer Music / 7
video Grab this issue’s videos via Vault download – see p5 for details THE CM GUIDE TO DRUM FILLS Program vibrant, realistic fills right inside your DAW Read the full article on p65
1 A quick guide to using the drum kit in fills
2 Software solutions for creating instant drum fills
3 Programming a realistic drum fill from scratch
4 Recording drum fills live with a MIDI controller
5 Creating an electronic drum fill
/experts EASY GUIDE
Designer sounds
GEEK TECHNIQUE
DR BEAT
jazz/funk chords
stretch and shift
upward compression
push and pull
Move beyond basic triads and create soulful chord progressions
Get the retro sound of classic pitchshifted and timestretched sounds
Turn your dynamics processors on their heads with this process
Manipulate groove and tension with these expert timing tweaks
Read the full article on p80 8 / Computer Music / July 2016
Read Readthe thefull full article articleon onp82 pxx
Read the full article on p84
Read the full Read the full article on p86 article on pxx
> download / sinevibes cluster 2
>Free full software
Sinevibes
Cluster 2
download Get the plugin, the video and the Tutorial Files on PC/Mac at vault.computermusic.co.uk
This creative Mac AU sequencer-driven multimode filter effect is completely free for Computer Music readers – and would usually cost you $29 Ukranian developers Sinevibes are well respected throughout the plugin community thanks to their extensive range of colourful, creative Mac AU devices. One example is Cluster 2, a wickedly creative filterbox that’s usually sold for $29 but is yours for free with this issue of . Cluster 2 can be described as a sequencerdriven rhythmic filter effect. At its heart is a looping step sequencer that stays perfectly in sync with your host’s tempo. The input signal, visualised in the red Input section, is sent into four parallel filters, each of which feeds into its own gate. By drawing in custom patterns over Cluster 2’s various colour-coded sequencer
SEQUENCER Adjust sequencer duration, division and swing via the top strip
lanes, it’s possible to switch between four filter types on a per-step basis, create complex filter frequency patterns, and apply cutoff envelope modulation shapes. Global filter and envelope settings are on hand, and you can also set up eight custom ‘Snapshot’ configurations. Cluster 2’s uses are many: build rhythmic grooves, spice up FX, add movement to pads, carve up synths and creatively transform any audio signal. If you enjoy Cluster 2’s sequenced filtering, make sure you check out Sinevibes’ other proquality Mac AU plugins. Standout examples include Fraction, a rhythmic slicer that’s optimised for creating rolls, fills, stutters and edits; Sequential, a sequencer-driven
multieffect that houses 19 effects modules; and Array, a ‘spectral sequencer’ built for complex effects and morphing tones. Alternatively, take a look at Sinevibes’ Complete Collection bundle, which contains all of their 21 instrument and effects plugins at a bargain $299; and the new Dynamic Collection bundle, which contains seven awesome effects for only $99 – which works out at half price compared to buying the seven plugins individually. Finally, readers can bag themselves a cool 20% off all Sinevibes plugins and bundles (valid until the end of 2016) using the code SINE-KP2W-CMCM. www.sinevib.es
FILTER FREQUENCY Draw in custom stepped filter frequency values FILTER MODES Switch between four filter types (band-reject, band-pass, highpass and low-pass) on a per-step basis
INPUT See the input waveform appear on the sequencer display
ENVELOPE POLARITY Horizontally flip a step by toggling its + or - button
ENVELOPE Draw in filter envelope modulation amount per step SNAPSHOTS Set up and tweak up to eight individual plugin setups 10 / Computer Music / July 2016
ENVELOPE SHAPE Switch each step’s shape between Pulse, Ramp, 2x and 3x Ramp, and Triangle
GLOBAL ENVELOPE & FILTER SETTINGS Adjust global envelope shape, lag (smoothness), filter frequency offset, resonance, dry/wet and filter type
sinevibes cluster 2 / download < > Step by step Getting started with Cluster 2
Tutorial
Files
1
4
7
Cluster 2 comes in Mac Audio Units format, so can be used with Macbased AU-compatible DAWs such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, GarageBand, MainStage, PreSonus Studio One, Reaper, Renoise, Digital Performer and Tracktion. To install, double-click the DMG file, open the PKG file, then follow the simple installation procedure.
Cluster 2’s interface is packed with features, but they’re easy to decipher thanks to the software’s handy colourcoding system. White parameters represent the sequencer, Snapshots and other global settings, red represents the input signal, blue parameters control the filters, and the yellow elements deal with the filter envelopes.
The Swing slider is a little different to most traditional swing parameters found on other sequencers, as its default value is 50%, meaning we can push notes either earlier or later in time. To push even-numbered step values later in time, increase the slider above 50%. Values between 25% and 50% pull even steps back (earlier in time). We’ll leave this at the default 50% for now.
2
5
8
Once installed, fire up a fresh DAW project. To initially get to grips with Cluster 2, we’d advise starting with a thick, sustained chord or pad part, as this will provide a harmonically dense starting point for rhythmic filtering. If you’d like to follow along with our example, set your project to 120bpm and load SynthChords.wav on an audio track. We’d also advise sending your signal to some sweetening reverb and delay.
Before we explore Cluster 2’s features further, let’s dive straight in and get filtering. Click and drag within the blue Frequency section to draw in stepped filter cutoff values. You can always draw in regimented patterns if you’re after a more predictable effect, but we’ll drag around wildly in the Frequency lane to create random filter stutters and shapes.
Let’s now venture back to the filter section. We’ve already drawn in a custom stepped curve on the Frequency graph, which is modulating a low-pass filter. In the blue Filter Modes section underneath, you’ll notice that each step can be switched between four filter modes: Band-reject, Band-pass, Highpass and Low-pass. Change a step’s dot position to set that step’s filter mode.
3
6
9
Insert a new instance of Cluster 2 on the Synth Chords channel, then hit Play in your DAW. The plugin syncs perfectly with your host: note the running transport highlight that runs through the plugin, showing the current sequence position, plus the incoming waveform appearing in real time on Cluster 2’s red Input section.
Cluster 2 is a step sequencer-driven rhythmic filter effect, meaning that you draw in stepped filter values at userdefined rhythmic divisions. Sequencer values are set in the topmost Sequencer section. Duration sets the length of one sequencer loop cycle, between the minimum 1 and the maximum 8 bars. Division switches the grid between Quadruple — ie, the usual four steps to every beat — or Triplet values.
The yellow sections deal with per-step modulation envelope parameters. Set each step back to Low-pass mode and draw a straight line of minimum value across the Frequency section (Cmd-click to set all steps to the same value). Now click and drag in the Envelope section to apply filter frequency modulation amount on a per-step basis, opening up the filter on the steps of your choice.
July 2016 / Computer Music / 11
> download / sinevibes cluster 2 > Step by step Getting started with Cluster 2 (continued)
10
11
13
14
The Envelope section allows you to change a particular step’s envelope shape between one of four types: Pulse, a square-style on/off shape; Ramp, a sawlike fin shape; 2x Ramp and 3x Ramp, which are multiples of Ramp, meaning they stuff two or three ramp shapes within the same division; and finally Triangle.
16
As you’ve probably already noticed, each envelope shape is fairly jagged, resulting in abrupt rhythmical modulation. If you want smoother, more ‘rounded’ filtering, increase the Lag slider (which ranges between 2ms and 200ms) to smooth the sharp curves’ effect.
Cluster 2 allows you to set up eight individual setups, called Snapshots, which are selected via the bottom eight buttons. To duplicate one Snapshot over to another, select the first and hit Copy before switching to the second and hitting Paste. Punch the Reset button to reset the currently selected Snapshot to default.
12 / Computer Music / July 2016
17
Switch through the various envelope shape options to hear how they affect the filter. These give us plenty of scope for creating custom rhythmic shapes and patterns, but each step’s envelope shape can also be flipped around horizontally via its Polarity (+ or -) button – so, for example, a sharp downwards saw becomes an upwards saw.
Now to the blue Filter settings. While the step positions in the Frequency section define cutoff frequency, the Frequency offset slider in the Filter section allows you to offset the filter frequency by +/- 50%. Unsurprisingly, the Resonance slider applies a peak boost (of 0-100%) around the cutoff frequency.
Interestingly, the Evolve button will ever so slightly randomise a few of the current Snapshot’s parameters, which is highly useful for adding a touch of interest or change to a Snapshot. If you’re completely stuck for inspiration, hit the Randomize button to apply drastic random values to the Snapshot.
12
15
18
The plugin’s bottom section is where we can dial in global filter and envelope settings. Again, these parameters are colour-coded to represent either the filter (blue) or envelope shape (yellow) settings they control. The controls in the Shape section adjust the timing of each enveloped step: use them to shorten (ie, tighten) or lengthen the filter envelope’s effect.
Three filter Type options are available. The default SVF (state variable filter) is a 12dB/oct type that self-oscillates with high resonance values. There are also two Biquad variations (12dB/oct and 24dB/ oct). Above the Type parameter sits the Dry/Wet slider, allowing you to mix between the fully filtered signal (100%) and the dry, unprocessed signal (0%).
The 1:2x, 1:4x and 1:8x buttons will clone the first half, first quarter or first eighth of the current Snapshot’s settings throughout the entire sequence. Finally, the various arrows are used to shift the entire sequence left or right: single arrows move back or forth by a single step, while double arrows move everything by a beat. Be sure to check out the accompanying manual for more details.