Shepard tone for that rising sound

[admin]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepard_tone

Came across this today while reading a comment on Soundcloud. I had also checked out Kris Menace's new track Scaler which the review of it mentioned as well. Gives that rising or in the wikipedia example a constantly descending sound. Just heard an awesome use of this effect on Slam's new single as well called Hot Knives.

[NuEra]

haha awesome!! i was actually thinking of starting a thread about this asking for more clarification on this as i still am not able to achieve a rise sound longer than the maximum attack on a synth!

this should help!

[djglenn]

I was looking for a more detailed explanation on how to set this up (writing the notes) and found this plugin:

VST: http://mda.smartelectronix.com/vst/mda_vst_fx_win.zip

MAC OSX: http://mda.smartelectronix.com/vst/mda_vst_ub.zip

MAC OS 9: http://mda.smartelectronix.com/vst/mda_v...mac_os.sit


There's a bunch of plugins in there I didn't try. The one named "shepard" creates the shepard effect for you. Of course, it's a generic sound. But with some good FX tweeks, I'm sure you can get it to sounding however you want.

For some reason though, I can only slap it on an FX channel in FL Studio. I can't use it as an instrument, which is kinda stange.

Anyhow, might be useful if you can't create the scale by yourself. (any detailed visual examples on how to create it?)

[admin]

NuEra,

Dont use the attack for the rise just automate it. I've done it for some clients and that's what we did, just a long pitch glide.

I need to take a look more at the wiki entry of the Shepard tone to suss it out but it seems like you just have two notes one staying the same and the other rising, although at some point it needs to reset. The ones I've done werent shepard tones but just pitch modulated. The trick I used was to just add loads of verb and effects to wash the sound out and it makes the pitch bending smoother.

I'll deff put up a video of it though when I'm done next week. I finally have some time to work on the new site design and have a lot of ideas for vidoes and stuff so hope to have it going by the end of April.

[NuEra]

Cool...

I remember you saying something about washing it out with reverb and stuff, but I am still alittle bit unclear as to what I am supposed to automate..

My best guess the same pitch that would be controlled by the pitch wheel on my keyboard. That's usually only a semitone, so I could change the parameters to an octave? or two??

[admin]

Yes you need to go into the synth and change the pitch range. It should be more than a semitone though, most default to a bit more than that but have a look. I think part of the trick is to have multiple layers all going at different pitches which is what we did too in order to keep it less obvious.

[NuEra]

multiple layers would mean more than one of the same synth and patch open?

[admin]

I'd use different patches. Anytime you do a big sweep type sound, rising one included, it's good to have 3 or 4 things all coming in at different directions panning wise and effect wise to add depth.

[NuEra]

oh ya? ok, interesting. i will take in all this new info and try it out and let you know how it goes.

thanks!

[admin]

The illusion many times is that it's one sound but it's actually a few blended together just right in many cases. Sure let me know how goes then.