How to Use Omnisphere's Hybrid Synthesis and Psychoacoustic Sounds with the Bob Moog Tribute Library
Spectrasonics - Omnisphere 1.5.6d: A Powerful Synthesizer for Music Production
If you are looking for a versatile, expressive, and inspiring synthesizer for your music production, you might want to check out Spectrasonics - Omnisphere 1.5.6d. Omnisphere is a flagship virtual instrument from Spectrasonics, a leading innovator of world-class, award-winning software plug-ins for musicians, producers, remixers, and film composers. Omnisphere combines a wide variety of hybrid real-time synthesis technologies, a huge library of psychoacoustic sounds, and many innovative features that make it one of the most powerful and creative synthesizers available today.
Spectrasonics - Omnisphere 1.5.6d (Includes All Updates Bob Moog Tribute Library)l
In this article, we will explore what Omnisphere has to offer, what are the new updates and improvements in version 1.5.6d, and how you can use it to create amazing sounds for your music. We will also take a look at the Bob Moog Tribute Library, a special collection of over 700 sounds for Omnisphere that honor the legacy of synthesizer pioneer Dr. Robert Moog and benefit his foundation. Let's get started!
Hybrid Synthesis Technologies in Omnisphere
Omnisphere is designed with a unique user interface that allows you to access different levels of functionality depending on your needs and skills. You can start with simple sound selection and customization, or dive deeper into the program and explore various synthesis techniques that let you manipulate sound in creative ways. Omnisphere offers several hybrid synthesis technologies that you can use to create dynamic and expressive sounds, such as:
Variable Waveshaping DSP
This technology allows you to change the shape of any waveform in real-time using a variety of waveshaping curves. You can use this technique to create smooth or harsh transitions between harmon ics, add distortion and overdrive effects, or create new waveforms from scratch. You can also modulate the waveshaping curves with various sources, such as envelopes, LFOs, or MIDI controllers, to create more movement and expression in your sounds. Variable Waveshaping DSP is a powerful tool that can transform any sound into something completely different and unique.
Granular Synthesis
This technology allows you to manipulate sound samples at the microscopic level by breaking them down into small grains and rearranging them in various ways. You can use this technique to stretch, compress, reverse, or randomize sound samples, creating new textures and timbres that are not possible with conventional sampling. You can also modulate the granular parameters with various sources, such as envelopes, LFOs, or MIDI controllers, to create more variation and complexity in your sounds. Granular Synthesis is a great tool that can expand your sonic palette and inspire new ideas.
Timbre Shifting
This technology allows you to change the harmonic content of sounds by shifting their frequency spectrum up or down. You can use this technique to create subtle or drastic changes in the tone and character of sounds, such as making them brighter or darker, warmer or colder, thinner or thicker, etc. You can also modulate the timbre shifting amount with various sources, such as envelopes, LFOs, or MIDI controllers, to create more dynamic and expressive sounds. Timbre Shifting is a simple but effective tool that can enhance or alter any sound in interesting ways.
FM Synthesis
This technology allows you to create complex and rich sounds by modulating the frequency of one oscillator (the carrier) with another oscillator (the modulator). You can use this technique to create harmonic or inharmonic sounds, such as bells, metallics, organs, pads, basses, leads, etc. You can also modulate the FM parameters with various sources, such as envelopes, LFOs, or MIDI controllers, to create more movement and expression in your sounds. FM Synthesis is a classic but versatile tool that can generate a wide range of sounds from simple to complex.
Polyphonic Ring Modulation
This technology allows you to create metallic and bell-like sounds by multiplying the output of two oscillators together. You can use this technique to create harmonic or inharmonic sounds, such as bells, gongs, chimes, plucks, etc. You can also modulate the ring modulation parameters with various sources, such as envelopes, LFOs, or MIDI controllers, to create more variation and complexity in your sounds. Polyphonic Ring Modulation is a unique but useful tool that can add some sparkle and shine to any sound.
Psychoacoustic Soundsources in Omnisphere
Omnisphere features a huge library of over 14,000 soundsources that you can use as the raw material for your synthesis. These soundsources are not just ordinary samples; they are psychoacoustic sounds that are created using a variety of techniques that involve recording acoustic instruments and objects in different environments and processing them with advanced sound design tools. Psychoacoustic sounds are designed to trigger certain responses in the human brain and ear that make them sound more realistic and immersive than conventional samples.
Some examples of psychoacoustic sounds in Omnisphere are:
Bowed Metal: These are sounds created by bowing metal objects such as pipes, rods, wires, etc., creating rich harmonics and resonances.
Chaos Guitars: These are sounds created by processing electric guitar recordings with various effects and modulations, creating chaotic and distorted textures.
Circuit Bent: These are sounds created by modifying electronic toys and devices with wires and switches, creating glitchy and noisy sounds.
Distorted Reality: These are sounds created by processing acoustic recordings with extreme effects and manipulations, creating surreal and dreamlike atmospheres.
Ethnic Instruments: These are sounds created by recording exotic instruments from around the world such as sitars, flutes , drums, etc., creating authentic and diverse sounds.
Human Voices: These are sounds created by recording human vocalizations such as chants, whispers, screams, etc., creating expressive and emotional sounds.
Impacts: These are sounds created by recording collisions and explosions of various materials such as metal, wood, glass, etc., creating powerful and dramatic sounds.
Noise Scapes: These are sounds created by recording ambient noises from various sources such as machines, radios, TVs, etc., creating noisy and textured sounds.
Organic: These are sounds created by recording natural sounds from various sources such as animals, plants, water, etc., creating organic and lifelike sounds.
Percussive: These are sounds created by recording percussive instruments and objects such as drums, cymbals, bells, etc., creating rhythmic and dynamic sounds.
Pianos: These are sounds created by recording acoustic and electric pianos in different ways such as plucking, muting, bowing, etc., creating classic and modern sounds.
Soundscapes: These are sounds created by layering and blending multiple soundsources together, creating complex and evolving atmospheres.
Synthetic: These are sounds created by using various synthesis techniques such as analog, digital, FM, wavetable, etc., creating synthetic and futuristic sounds.
You can use these psychoacoustic sounds in Omnisphere to create realistic or fantastical soundscapes that will enhance your music and immerse your listeners. You can also combine them with the hybrid synthesis technologies to create new and original sounds that are not possible with any other synthesizer.
Composite Morphing Technique (CMT) in Omnisphere
Omnisphere also features a unique technology called Composite Morphing Technique (CMT) that allows you to blend different instruments and create new sounds that have the characteristics of both. CMT is based on a sophisticated algorithm that analyzes the spectral content of two soundsources and creates a smooth transition between them. You can use CMT to create hybrid sounds that have the attack of one instrument and the sustain of another, or the timbre of one instrument and the modulation of another, or any other combination you can imagine.
Some examples of CMT sounds in Omnisphere are:
Bamboo Flute + Electric Piano: This sound combines the breathy tone of a bamboo flute with the warm sound of an electric piano, creating a smooth and mellow sound.
Bassoon + Synth Bass: This sound combines the low and reedy sound of a bassoon with the punchy and distorted sound of a synth bass, creating a powerful and aggressive sound.
Cello + Choir: This sound combines the rich and expressive sound of a cello with the angelic and ethereal sound of a choir, creating a majestic and emotional sound.
Guitar + Harp: This sound combines the plucked and bright sound of a guitar with the delicate and resonant sound of a harp, creating a crisp and sparkling sound.
Saxophone + Synth Lead: This sound combines the raspy and dynamic sound of a saxophone with the smooth and melodic sound of a synth lead, creating a funky and catchy sound.
You can use these CMT sounds in Omnisphere to create interesting and diverse sounds that will add some flavor and variety to your music. You can also create your own CMT sounds by choosing any two soundsources from the library and adjusting the morphing parameters to your liking.
Bob Moog Tribute Library for Omnisphere
Omnisphere also includes a special collection of over 700 sounds for Omnisphere that honor the legacy of synthesizer pioneer Dr. Robert Moog and benefit his foundation. The Bob Moog Tribute Library is a collaborative project that features contributions from over 40 renowned artists and sound designers who have used Moog synthesizers in their work. The library contains a wide range of sounds that showcase the versatility and musicality of Moog synthesizers, such as:
Analog Basses: These are sounds that use the classic Moog filters and oscillators to create fat and warm basses that can fill up any mix.
Analog Leads: These are sounds that use the expressive Moog envelopes and modulations to create bright and catchy leads that can cut through any mix.
Analog Pads: These are sounds that use the lush Moog chorus and phasers to create rich and spacious pads that can create any mood.
Analog Percussion: These are sounds that use the snappy Moog envelopes and noise generators to create punchy and crisp percussion that can add some groove and rhythm.
Classic Moog Sounds: These are sounds that recreate some of the iconic sounds that Moog synthesizers are known for, such as the Minimoog bass, the Taurus pedals, the Voyager lead, etc.
Experimental Moog Sounds: These are sounds that use the modular Moog systems and effects to create unusual and adventurous sounds that can surprise and inspire.
You can use these Bob Moog Tribute Library sounds in Omnisphere to pay homage to the legend of Moog synthesizers and to support his foundation, which aims to ignite creativity in children and adults through the intersection of science, music, history, and innovation. You can also learn from these sounds by studying how they are made and applying the same techniques to your own sounds.
Creative Features and Tools in Omnisphere
Omnisphere also offers a variety of creative features and tools that you can use to enhance your sounds and make them more musical and expressive. Some of these features and tools are:
Arpeggiator with Groove Lock and Stylus RMX integration
This feature allows you to create rhythmic patterns from any sound by using a flexible and easy-to-use arpeggiator. You can choose from various modes, such as up, down, random, chord, etc., and adjust the parameters, such as rate, swing, octave, step, etc., to create your own arpeggios. You can also use the Groove Lock feature to sync your arpeggios with any MIDI file or Stylus RMX groove, creating a perfect match in timing and feel. You can also integrate Omnisphere with Stylus RMX, a powerful groove-based virtual instrument from Spectrasonics, and use its features, such as Chaos Designer, Time Designer, Kit Mode, etc., to further manipulate your arpeggios.
Live Mode and Stack Mode
These features allow you to switch and layer patches on the fly by using a simple and intuitive interface. You can use Live Mode to assign up to eight patches to different MIDI channels or keyboard zones, and switch between them with ease. You can also use Stack Mode to layer up to eight patches together, creating complex and rich sounds. You can also adjust the parameters of each patch individually or globally, such as volume, pan, mute, solo, etc., to create your own custom mixes.
Modulated FX Racks
This feature allows you to add effects and modulation to your sounds by using a flexible and powerful FX rack system. You can choose from over 50 effects types, such as delays, reverbs, choruses, flangers, distortions, filters, etc., and chain them together in any order you want. You can also modulate any FX parameter with various sources, such as envelopes, LFOs, or MIDI controllers, creating more movement and expression in your sounds. You can also use the FX lock feature to keep your FX settings while browsing through different patches, creating consistent and smooth transitions.
Flex-Mod System
This feature allows you to assign modulation sources and destinations with ease by using a simple drag-and-drop interface. You can choose from over 20 modulation sources , such as envelopes, LFOs, MIDI controllers, mod wheel, aftertouch, etc., and over 200 modulation destinations, such as pitch, filter, volume, pan, FX parameters, etc., and create complex and expressive modulation routings. You can also use the modulation matrix to view and edit all your modulation assignments in one place.
Chaos Envelopes
This feature allows you to add randomness and variation to your sounds by using a unique envelope type that generates random values within a specified range. You can use this feature to create subtle or drastic changes in your sounds, such as adding humanization, vibrato, noise, glitch, etc. You can also modulate the chaos envelope parameters with various sources, such as envelopes, LFOs, or MIDI controllers, creating more unpredictability and excitement in your sounds.
Conclusion and FAQs
Omnisphere is a powerful and creative synthesizer that offers a wide range of features and tools that can help you create amazing sounds for your music production. Whether you are looking for realistic or fantastical sounds, simple or complex sounds, classic or modern sounds, Omnisphere has something for everyone. Omnisphere also includes the Bob Moog Tribute Library, a special collection of sounds that honor the legacy of synthesizer pioneer Dr. Robert Moog and support his foundation. Omnisphere is a synthesizer that can inspire you to explore new sonic possibilities and express your musical vision.
Here are some FAQs about Omnisphere and the Bob Moog Tribute Library:
Q: How can I get Omnisphere and the Bob Moog Tribute Library?
A: You can get Omnisphere and the Bob Moog Tribute Library from the official Spectrasonics website or from authorized dealers. Omnisphere is available as a download or a boxed version. The Bob Moog Tribute Library is available as a download only.
Q: How much does Omnisphere and the Bob Moog Tribute Library cost?
A: Omnisphere costs $499 USD, and the Bob Moog Tribute Library costs $100 USD. However, 100% of the proceeds from the Bob Moog Tribute Library go to the Bob Moog Foundation, which is a non-profit organization that educates and inspires people through electronic music.
Q: What are the system requirements for Omnisphere and the Bob Moog Tribute Library?
A: Omnisphere and the Bob Moog Tribute Library are compatible with both Mac and Windows platforms. You will need a 64-bit host application that supports VST, AU, or AAX plug-in formats. You will also need at least 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of free hard drive space. For more details on the system requirements, please visit the Spectrasonics website.
Q: How can I learn more about Omnisphere and the Bob Moog Tribute Library?
A: You can learn more about Omnisphere and the Bob Moog Tribute Library by visiting the Spectrasonics website, where you can find videos, tutorials, manuals, FAQs, support, and more. You can also join the Spectrasonics user forum, where you can interact with other users, share tips and tricks, ask questions, and get feedback.
Q: How can I support the Bob Moog Foundation?
A: You can support the Bob Moog Foundation by purchasing the Bob Moog Tribute Library, by making a donation, by becoming a member, by volunteering, by spreading the word, or by participating in their events. The Bob Moog Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to ignite creativity in children and adults through the intersection of science, music, history, and innovation.
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