Uploaded September 2011 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
#47 - More Combs - 4m:27s
Zebra2's comb "filters" are probably the most flexible in any synth. You can create envelope-driven polyphonic flangers, realistic plucked and bowed strings, flutes, mallet and other percussion instruments, strange metallic ambiences. In fact a whole bunch of 'acoustic' sounds that would be impossible using only first-generation synth modules. AND... you can tweak them so that they remain 99.9% in tune across an 88-note keyboard...
To tune 'blown' Combs, always start by tuning the note E3 (MIDI note #052) to a reference OSC with the global parameter "Voice Drift" switched off. Then play a few octaves higher and tune that note using the Comb's "KeyScale" knob. You might have to repeat this procedure every time you change certain parameters in the Comb!
Steps in the video
I.
- initialize, add Comb module, select 'blown' mode
- tune to the oscillator (from keyfollow pivot E3)
- modulate 'Flavour' for overblow effect...
- make high overtones have lower volume
- add tremolo/vibrato, reverb
II.
- start again with a Comb in 'dissonant' mode, with 'Square' impulse
- tweak the Damp, Flavour and Tune parameters to taste
- compensate for the shorter decay of high notes
- add an FMO to provide the fundamental
- experiment! (that's what I'm doing in the video)
III.
- Playing that "bongo" I noticed earlier
Homework
Don't be afraid of using the combs -- experimenting for hours helps, so do that!
#47 - More Combs - 4m:27s
Zebra2's comb "filters" are probably the most flexible in any synth. You can create envelope-driven polyphonic flangers, realistic plucked and bowed strings, flutes, mallet and other percussion instruments, strange metallic ambiences. In fact a whole bunch of 'acoustic' sounds that would be impossible using only first-generation synth modules. AND... you can tweak them so that they remain 99.9% in tune across an 88-note keyboard...
To tune 'blown' Combs, always start by tuning the note E3 (MIDI note #052) to a reference OSC with the global parameter "Voice Drift" switched off. Then play a few octaves higher and tune that note using the Comb's "KeyScale" knob. You might have to repeat this procedure every time you change certain parameters in the Comb!
Steps in the video
I.
- initialize, add Comb module, select 'blown' mode
- tune to the oscillator (from keyfollow pivot E3)
- modulate 'Flavour' for overblow effect...
- make high overtones have lower volume
- add tremolo/vibrato, reverb
II.
- start again with a Comb in 'dissonant' mode, with 'Square' impulse
- tweak the Damp, Flavour and Tune parameters to taste
- compensate for the shorter decay of high notes
- add an FMO to provide the fundamental
- experiment! (that's what I'm doing in the video)
III.
- Playing that "bongo" I noticed earlier
Homework
Don't be afraid of using the combs -- experimenting for hours helps, so do that!
