Model:Samples stereo tutorial. Make it sound more stereo - Stereo spread effect & step based panning
Hello guys! I just wanted to share few tricks for the Model:Samples that I have discovered recently.
Basically, the idea is to make the Model:Samples sound a bit more stereo. As you might know, this device only allows mono samples and the only typical ways to create a stereo field is by using the reverb (which is stereo) and/or by panning the entire tracks. You can also use the LFO for dynamic panning but the standard way to do that doesn’t actually offers you a total control of the panning. I mean that, straight out of the box, the LFO won’t let you control the panning on a per step basis.
So, here I explain two tricks: one for creating some sort of a stereo spread effect and another for precise panning on a per step basis. That means that you will be able to control the panning amount, either to the left or right, for each individual step. Both use the LFO, so if you want to implement these tricks you won’t be able to use the LFO for another purpose.
For the stereo spread effect you basically set the LFO shape to triangle or sine, the frequency to the maximum available value which is 2k, the destination will obviously be PAN and the amount has to be between 10 and around 30 for best results. Please, be aware that this effect will alter the sound so it might work for some samples while for others it will make them sound worse. For example, short percussive sounds such as claps, snares and hi hats generally sound ok, but samples with rich harmonic content might actually sound pretty awful! So having that in mind you might just want to experiment and see what works best for you. It is also important to mention that the stereo spread adds some sort of a saturation effect to the sound, so it can actually make some samples sound more “analog”, or at least that’s what I feel.
The second trick consists in using a square LFO for precisely panning certain steps. The key here is to enable the LFO reset option and also use parameter locking for the LFO depth on each step that you would like to pan. AFAIK, the reset option makes the LFO cycle to restart on each step, so whenever a step is triggered the square LFO will reset and set the panning amount according to the specified depth.
I don’t know if these tricks are well known to the M:S community, but I never heard of them before. But if they are well known, then excuse me for my ignorance! Anyway, be sure to use your headphones as these effects can be pretty subtle, but still, can make some difference and improve the overall sonic performance of the M:S.
Enjoy and if you like, please subscribe!