Popularized by the legendary Yamaha CS-80, ribbon controllers offer a unique way to create more expressive performances. What are your thoughts on ribbon controllers? Let us know in the comments, and check out more keyboard and synthesizer lessons from Sweetwater 👉 ua-cam.com/play/PLlczpwSXEOybFzNBWKH-43gw_c4qWLv7s.html
Great article! But, as a long-time CS80 fan / owner / tech, there's a few details I'd like to know about that were not covered in the video: 1) multi-touch: What happens with multiple fingers touching the ribbon? With the CS80, it was great to do trills by touching the ribbon anywhere with my thumb and then tapping with other fingers. 2) range: No other synth has copied this correctly because it requires linear VCOs and they're all exponential, Volts/Hz. However, should be simple on digital oscillators. Touching the ribbon at the left end and sliding to the other end give a one-octave bend. Going the other direction bends down to zero Hz / DC. Basically, bending up multiplies the frequency (in Hz - not the pitch!) from x1 up to x2. Bending down goes from x1 to x0. The pitch in between normal and full bend is also linear along the ribbon so bend spacing is exponential like fret spacing on a guitar. 3) Sustain II mode. Again, no other synth implements this great feature. Picture a nice synth lead sound with a long envelope release so it dies away slowly like the sustain pedal on a piano. Great if the patch is mono but if it's poly, you end up with a blur of notes. This is what almost all other synths** do - and the CS80 in Sustain I. But, switch to Sustain II and a few things change. The main effect is that if you hit a bunch of keys, let go, and then hit another key, all the notes that are dying away immediately stop and you only hear the new note(s). Technically, it's more complicated but that's the main / desired effect. Does the Hydrasynth have this mode? It would be fantastic! Thanks! ** The Oberheim 2/4/8-voice SEM polys can sort-of copy this with the different keyboard scanning modes.
Hi Daniel, I've watched all your Synth Clips, probably the best tutorial series on the Web. ❤️ Can I please request you make an episode on Synth Special FX... there are lots in JMJ Oxygene Pt2 (Bullets, Ricochets, Machine Guns, Falling Shells etc). I've heard you do stuff like that in various Synth demos... I would love to know how to make them. I have bought a Hydrasynth Deluxe (my first real Synth), and I am hoping I can use it for those special sounds.
What happened? I posted a somewhat long and detailed comment a couple of days ago asking some specific questions about how the ribbon works on the Hydrasynth and now it's gone. I didn't get any message from YT about it being removed. Any ideas?
Hi David. Not sure where it went, but I know that having URL links is one of the things that gets a comment rejected. Try again and I'll watch for it. -_Daniel_
Popularized by the legendary Yamaha CS-80, ribbon controllers offer a unique way to create more expressive performances. What are your thoughts on ribbon controllers? Let us know in the comments, and check out more keyboard and synthesizer lessons from Sweetwater 👉 ua-cam.com/play/PLlczpwSXEOybFzNBWKH-43gw_c4qWLv7s.html
Great article! But, as a long-time CS80 fan / owner / tech, there's a few details I'd like to know about that were not covered in the video:
1) multi-touch: What happens with multiple fingers touching the ribbon? With the CS80, it was great to do trills by touching the ribbon anywhere with my thumb and then tapping with other fingers.
2) range: No other synth has copied this correctly because it requires linear VCOs and they're all exponential, Volts/Hz. However, should be simple on digital oscillators. Touching the ribbon at the left end and sliding to the other end give a one-octave bend. Going the other direction bends down to zero Hz / DC. Basically, bending up multiplies the frequency (in Hz - not the pitch!) from x1 up to x2. Bending down goes from x1 to x0. The pitch in between normal and full bend is also linear along the ribbon so bend spacing is exponential like fret spacing on a guitar.
3) Sustain II mode. Again, no other synth implements this great feature. Picture a nice synth lead sound with a long envelope release so it dies away slowly like the sustain pedal on a piano. Great if the patch is mono but if it's poly, you end up with a blur of notes. This is what almost all other synths** do - and the CS80 in Sustain I. But, switch to Sustain II and a few things change. The main effect is that if you hit a bunch of keys, let go, and then hit another key, all the notes that are dying away immediately stop and you only hear the new note(s). Technically, it's more complicated but that's the main / desired effect. Does the Hydrasynth have this mode? It would be fantastic!
Thanks!
** The Oberheim 2/4/8-voice SEM polys can sort-of copy this with the different keyboard scanning modes.
So awesome. You couldn't pry me away. And a great video too, thanks for sharing 🤘
An excellent addition to an excellent series! Really mind boggling. Thanks!
Hi Daniel, I've watched all your Synth Clips, probably the best tutorial series on the Web. ❤️ Can I please request you make an episode on Synth Special FX... there are lots in JMJ Oxygene Pt2 (Bullets, Ricochets, Machine Guns, Falling Shells etc). I've heard you do stuff like that in various Synth demos... I would love to know how to make them. I have bought a Hydrasynth Deluxe (my first real Synth), and I am hoping I can use it for those special sounds.
This is an awesome series. Keep it up.
🥶
BB-88 at 13:00 lol
What happened? I posted a somewhat long and detailed comment a couple of days ago asking some specific questions about how the ribbon works on the Hydrasynth and now it's gone. I didn't get any message from YT about it being removed. Any ideas?
Hi David. Not sure where it went, but I know that having URL links is one of the things that gets a comment rejected. Try again and I'll watch for it. -_Daniel_
@@sweetwater Thanks - that was probably it. I'll try again.
The use of ribbon controller is just for too specific cases I think...