Build Your First Synth

This is the patch to build before trying to be clever. It teaches the three jobs that appear in an enormous number of synthesizers: make a waveform, shape its spectrum, then control its level over time.

Modules

Use a keyboard/performance source, OSC, VCF, ENV and VCA.

Build it

1. Route OSC audio to VCF.
2. Route VCF audio to VCA.
3. Use ENV to control the VCA so a key press creates a note with a beginning and an end.
4. Optionally let the same or a second envelope move VCF frequency.

What to listen for

First listen with the filter fairly open. Then lower the cutoff and hear harmonics disappear. Change the envelope attack and release and notice that the oscillator itself can be continuous while the VCA turns it into separate notes.

Why it works

This is subtractive synthesis in its simplest form: start with harmonically useful material and remove or emphasise parts of it with a filter. The envelope gives the sound a time shape.

Try next

Add an LFO to pitch or filter frequency, but add only one new route at a time. Then continue with the classic mono tutorial.