Production techniques with Audiotent
#13 Randomising arpeggios
Design a signature synth arpeggio with a VA synth
> What is an arp? When we hear the word arp, we think of a chord that is played as a fast sequence of individual notes. Arpeggios are an excellent compositional tool to add energy and anticipation to a piece of music. Many arps are simple by nature. However, if you are aiming for excellence, it helps to know some Audiotent tricks of the trade to make your arps stand out from the ordinary!
We are always looking to implement sound synthesis techniques that introduce a sense of randomisation to the given patch. One of the most powerful tools that enables us to do so is called sample and hold. It’s a random voltage processor that can be quantised to a bpm. You are never certain of its exact value, yet you can be assured that the timing will be precise.
Sample and hold can be used as a source and applied to various destinations depending on the technical specification of your synthesiser. In this workshop we will cover which destinations work favourably for arp sounds specifically. We will also explore the role of the noise oscillator. Not only can it increase the transient density, but it can also introduce a rhythmical element when combined with sample and hold.