How to use the Mono synth

What is a synthesizer?

A synthesizer (or synth) is an electronic instrument. There are different types but the most common type uses what’s called subtractive synthesis. This is when you start with basic waveforms and use filters to remove frequencies and shape the timbre.

Subtractive synthesis is also what was used on the first analog synthesizers like the Minimoog. Analog synths use analog circuits and signals to produce their sounds.

In the modern age, we can do this digitally. All you need is a computer and a software synthesizer like the Mono synth. The original subtractive workflow has stuck for good reasons, it makes it fairly easy to do sound design and create pleasing sounds.

Adding Mono synth presets [Beginner]

1. 1
   Open Soundation and create a project
2. 2
   Click on Instrument presets in the Sound library
3. 3
   Search for “Mono synth”
4. 4
   Drag in a preset to the Arrangement area
5. 5
   Start playing or drawing in notes

Making Mono synth sounds [Pro]

1. 1
   Open Soundation and create a project
2. 2
   Click on Add channel and add an Instrument channel
3. 3
   Change the instrument to Mono synth in the Bottom panel
4. 4
   Click on Edit Mono synth to open the instrument
5. 5
   Start tweaking the settings to your liking

Mix

Mix lets you blend between the two oscillators. If you set it to 0%, you will only hear the saw-wave. If you set it to 100%, you will only hear the pulse wave. If you set it somewhere in-between, you will hear a mix of both.

Pulse width

Pulse width lets you change the shape of the pulse wave. If you set it to 100%, you will get what’s known as a square wave, which has a round tone.

If you decrease it, the tone will get thinner and brighter. Note that this does not affect the saw-wave. So if you have the Mix set to 0%, the Pulse width will not change the sound.

Glide

Glide lets you control how long it takes for the pitch of one note to transition into a new note. This is also known as portamento. If you set it to 0%, the pitch change will be immediate and there will be no gliding. If you set it to 100%, the pitch will very slowly transition from the original note to the new one.

Amp decay

Amp decay is the amount of time it takes for a note to decay to complete silence. Set it low for short notes and set it high for long notes.

Cutoff

The Mono synth has a low-pass filter which means it only lets through the frequencies under the Cutoff point. In other words, you can remove the high frequencies and shape the timbre of the synth. Decrease the Cutoff to darken the tone, increase the Cutoff to brighten the tone.

Resonance

Turn up the Resonance to increase the emphasis around the Cutoff point. This creates a ringing, whistling, or vocal quality.

Filter int

Filter intensity is how much the Filter decay affects the Cutoff level. Set it low if you don’t want much movement to the Cutoff. Set it high if you want a lot of movement to the Cutoff.

Filter decay

Filter decay is the amount of time it takes to move from the Filter intensity level to the original Cutoff level. Set it low for a fast plucky sound and high for a slower descent.