Make an 808 Sub in Logic Pro's Alchemy

 Intro

This is a quick and easy synth to build yourself and will introduce you to the world of synthesis while giving you a very usable sound. You can use these concepts for other synthesizers besides alchemy.

Step 1 Oscillators

First Set up 4 oscillators 1 sine wav pitched down 2 octaves. This is the main part of your sound. Next, add a triangle wave either on or two octaves pitched down. Next you will add two more sine wavs on pitched down one octave and one left at its original octave. Blend these to tase with the individual volume knobs

Step 2 Filters

Using an high pass filter (HP), cut the lows from triangle wav and the one sine that was pitched down one octave. This will help resolve any potential low end conflicts between the oscillators.

Step 3 Envelope

For maximum punch set a fast attack. Then do a medium decay and medium to long sustain with a relatively short release.

Step 4 Modulation

Using a secondary AHDSR (ie envelope), create a pitch mod on the master section of the synth. Set your depth to about 24 semitones (2 octaves) and then set your release and sustain to zero so the only parameter to adjust is the decay. You should get a “laser beam” kick sound. Shorten the decay until the laser sound becomes a KNOCK. Adjust the decay and the depth until you like what you hear.

Step 5 Glide

Adding glide is a matter of tase but experiment with using rate or time. Rate is a long slide for larger intervals. While time is the same length of slide regardless of the distance between notes.

Step 6 Compression and FX

just you thicken your sound a little and add some extra KNOCK add a compressor with slow attack and quick release with low ration and 3-6 dB of gain reduction. You should be good to go from there. If you want to play with distortion and parallel distortion from there go for it but this is a great place to start.

You can download the patch for yourself HERE

Now GO MAKE MUSIC!
Kirk