How to program synth strings on any synth

Here I show you how to get great synth strings no matter which synth or plug in you are using. Some useful tips for sound design.
Come and see me perform at Scala London on 10th May!
All rights reserved.
instagram: / mattjohnsonjamiroquai
music: matt-johnson.bandcamp.com
matt-johnson.bandcamp.com/album/with-the-music-album

[@McEnroe911]

I'm sure I speak for a lot of us when I say I would love more synth sound design tutorials from you. This was brilliant.

[@eugeniomeza2886]

x2

[@yaboiskooky9893]

Absolutely

[@aaronn7576]

Yes please. Thank you so much for this video

[@danstirling7386]

Would love that too!

[@elementlab41]

Add me to the chorus who would love to see more sound design content from a master. Thanks for this one, Matt!

[@midlander4]

The elephant in the room is that Matt's tracksuit makes every patch sound better

[@tecschooldropout]

Matt I was literally searching for a video exactly about this about 35 minutes ago, thanks for hearing my prayer.

[@oliveruecker4919]

Very excellent explained. I think that some synth-basics are getting lost in the minds of people and sometimes some lessons like this may help to get back to the roots.

[@scottmcauleysounds]

always blows me away that even without any effects, the P5/10 somehow doesn't sound mono, I think it's the richest sounding synth I own :)

[@mrkeeny]

It also sounds like it has reverb on it due to the lush release

[@scottmcauleysounds]

​@@mrkeeny thats just the P5 for you , definitely no effects on this :)

[@SlavicSon]

Agreed, my P10 is the most heavenly thing I’ve heard.

[@BeachPresent]

@@mrkeeny Yes !!! One day a DJ came to visit me, and I was just adjusting the sound on my Prophet 8. He asks, what kind of processing do you use? I told him: no processing, release dude

[@FakeGlasses]

Agree, but for the same reason I find the P5 has to be eq carved a lot to sit in the mix, much more than my Juno.

[@LuisTorres-qz5kr]

Matt, thank you very much for this tutorial. This was GREAT! PLEASE we want more of these.

[@VocalChainsStudio]

Wonderful synth workshop from a great technician and teacher. Thank you.

[@dazzjazz]

Shades of Gary Numan when you play that flat 5 interval.

[@dulusmusica]

I didn’t think i’d ever need a string sound design, but when it’s taught by Matt it hits different

[@SpikesStudio3]

Its like running through the list of ingredients to a dish we all love.

[@douglasmcdouglason9461]

I would love for you to teach us how to make a solid wurli/Rhodes patch for gigging, like what effects you would add to it for the most versatile sound. I’m positive a bunch of us fans are gigging keyboardists and you’re a legend whose advise we all desire!

[@davebellamy4867]

Yes. A really nice electric piano sound for the Prophet would be awesome. I've found some pleasing piano like sounds on the Prophet-6 by twiddling but a real classic EP sound would be great.

[@donwrangler]

This makes me want the Prophet 10 even more than I did yesterday 🤣 🚨⛽️🚨

[@deantiquisetnovis]

Get a Prophet REV2. It is much more versatile. I own both, and as it was said in the video, the Prophet 5 is a very basic synth and there‘s nothing you couldn’t do with the REV2.

[@donwrangler]

🎹🤠🎹

[@BeachPresent]

@@deantiquisetnovis And in Prophet 8 ( I have ) you can do almost everything. But the capabilities of Take 5 are captivating. He can do what others cannot. And it has Sine. Which is rare for analog synthesizers. There is also Poly Avolver, but it is now a rarity, unfortunately.

[@MartinBarreby]

Awesome! Hope this will be a series with maybe brass next, and wood winds etc. 🙂

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

Maybe I will!

[@AJL200]

Brass definitely please 🙏

[@PeranMe]

I seriously doubt I could ever get enough of sound design tips from you. Thanks, you’re a star!

[@amonster8mymother]

I love the strings but matt gets the sound. ❤

[@JeffPalmer83]

I often introduce some filter envelope on string or pad sounds, but I actually really like how your approach with only the amp envelope gets a closer sound to a Solina. Will definitely use this approach in the future; thanks, Matt!

[@eugeniomeza2886]

Thank you very much for this wonderful tutorial Matt. Hope we can see another one sometime soon. Cheers!

[@klemenspichler400]

This was awesome. Would love to see more. Also this was really nice to follow along with! Thank you.

[@rogualradiante6615]

Excellent, great tutorial and I really love the intro of your videos with such a good vibe.

[@mikkoluoto6575]

Thank you very much for the inspirational lesson

[@shey87]

Thanks mate! Understanding the basics of the sounds is exactly what I need as a newbie musician. Would love to see more videos like that.

[@ridgerider7402]

Loving this Matt, love your lessons 😎

[@bilonggrisimmeri]

Great tutorial Matt. I tried these ideas on JD-XA, and every one of them came up with interesting sound. Thank you so much.

[@PieterLaroy]

These are such enjoyable videos. Just tried it out on my matrixbrute (mono, but fantastic) and on my minifreak. But what a great tutorial on understanding the basic stuff... Thanks!

[@spadogs]

Thank Matt. Inspired now to sit down with my vintage analogue synths.

[@Black_Agent_Seattle]

Such a classy looking synth.

[@jeuxdeau2009]

This was great. More sound design tutorials Please - Thanks Matt!

[@justinjones2595]

I learned so much following along on my Tempest. More of these tutorials please!

[@mrclaytron]

Oh man, the Prophet 10 sounds so damn good! Great video, Matt!

[@GerenM63]

Nice tutorial, Matt! Thanks!

[@reaktoratomowychdzwiekow9677]

This is Legendary... Thanks!

[@joecantdance494]

The Prophet 10 sounds amazing even with the limited controls

[@Matthew1981]

I had fun following along with this using a Prophet Rev2. In the Mod matrix using Note Number to determine the LFO speed that's modulating Osc Frequency worked pretty well.

[@thelanavishnuorchestra]

Nicely done. I've made my share of strings, but since it's you making the tutorial, def worth watching. I've been playing with a virus ti making non trance patches so maybe I'll go fiddle with it now.

[@lundsweden]

7:39 Gary Numan... yey!

[@Andrew-rz7qt]

I love how solid the prophet is, built like a tank.

[@las97531]

More of this, please!

[@funkelektroniq]

Prophet is a beast. Thanks for video.

[@maxmaxington5873]

You rock Matt

[@kylejohnson-evers4549]

Amazing

[@Individual_two]

Great tutorial session! I'm going to apply some of these LFO modulation techniques to my Moog Matriarch. That's going to fun!

[@mirr1984]

Anything with a Prophet is bliss to the ears.

[@davebellamy4867]

10:30 Using that technique sounds awesome on the OB6. Plus you can mod the filter state to get the bowing effect. I also like to mess around using pulse width mod on one oscillator square wave and then supersaw on the other on a Roland JP8000.

[@Obscurity202]

Thanks buddy you are the man

[@danielryer298]

Great video. I would love one covering organ next! Electric piano and clav sounds would be up there as well. I find I struggle to wrap my head around replicating sounds that rely on faster envelopes. Thanks for all the great info.

[@ArthurSutherland]

Master Class!

[@grigalat]

I like the way u keep it so simple and usable. Cos there is nothing easier than to ruin simple pad/strings sound. When designing such sounds, hands are itching to make it "more interesting" One wrong twist of a knob, and u ain't even in the mix. I have novation mininova. Factory presets are so good. And nothing works for me in live band. Everytime something is off. So slightly filtered sawteeth ✨👌 Great video!)

[@SynthgodXXX]

Fantastic video, my friend!

[@thaexception3406]

Informative

[@themikerichardson]

love this-how about a video on designing patches using Jupiter 8/Super 6-style cross-mod?

[@ewwitsantonio]

I hear a lil Gary Numan at 2:30 hehe I'm always so excited to watch your videos. Channels like yours are what make me love the internet and youtube. Such a luxury to feel like I'm sitting down and getting mentored by others, like yourself! Thanks for the video!

[@ewwitsantonio]

Oh it WAS gary numan... I gotta stop commenting before I finish watching videos

[@bautiivinas]

I was looking for a coment for the exact same minute haha. Only in my case the reference i catched was Godspeed from Frank Ocean. Amazing video as always

[@bcj842]

Jeez dude the intro track sounded so thick. I could do for a 10 minute groove on that, personally.

[@Echochamber79]

Hi Matt, always love your content, was watching you on the Yamaha Montage m8x at Superbooth24... was fantastic! I sure hope you will be selling some of your patches for the Montage M series. I have a m8x and just LOVE it!

[@JanSchultink]

Please more sound tutorials on the basics such as this one: brass stab, bass, epiano, etc. Etc.

[@paulschilling2996]

God I love that Prophet sound 1:55. ❤

[@mrkeeny]

Moogerfoogers are handy for freeing up lfo, ringmod does great tremolo, Clusterflux vibrato etc

[@narfsounds]

Merry Christmas!

[@eagletown8977]

Instant sub. Thanks YT algorithm!

[@toxto]

Please continue this series. I have bought some great sounding EP/organ presets for my PRO800 and i have zero idea how they could make a simple synth like a Prophet to sound like that. I even heard a pretty good piano patch in a preset showcase.

[@KrulliKlikk]

I got one of those LFE expanders so I can get that sweet Prophet sound but don’t have to compromise on the LFO usage. Highly recommended!

[@Astronometric]

I'm trying to follow along using my Beheringer Pro-800. It is a great sounding synth, but the ADSR times are completely different from the original! With the knobs in the same spot on both filter and amp, the results are very different.

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

you have to use yours ears don't rely on visual cues

[@lundsweden]

The Prophet 600 and Bro800 are darker sounding. I actually like the filter, but it's a bit different. Knob positions will be different with any two different synths.

[@xinjoy6236]

Hello Matt, I was sure that at the end you would finalise some strings created with an ensemble chorus to reach the famous solina range of sound. I was wrong! thanks for the videos.

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

I wanted the show the sound raw as I feel it's too easy to reach for a chorus in these situations. Of course that would sound great!

[@marcuspatzer2392]

A Great Video my Friend 🎶🎵👋👋👋 Warm Greetings from Germany ! 🌞🎹

[@mcgyrus]

Allllgooooriddmm stuuuuffff. Thanks toooooo!!!

[@brodyvalentino]

Love this Matt! Would it be possible on how to program a synth clavinet sound? Like the one on the Oberheim presets?

[@lundsweden]

Lemme guess, fast attack, release probably pulse wave.

[@Eskimo1973]

For a moment I thought Mr Johnson was going to play Mr Crowley by Ozzy Osbourne!

[@donwrangler]

That live in 81! video is my favorite! It sounds better than the album!

[@ozzy3ml]

Oof, the Prophet 10 sounds so good!

[@mrdali67]

Its quite funny, strings is one of the easiest sounds to program and there's so many posibilities. I still tend to favorise the analog Organs from the 70'ies. Yamaha had this lovely analog Symphonic Ensemble effect in their organs and Synths from that time, and it does wonders with a fairly simple sawtooth strings without too much LFO on. Maybe its also the Paraphonic nature of Organs and string machines that just is better for string sounds. Also Wersi had some lovely strings on their organs and also had a string machine

[@lundsweden]

Hi, that's interesting about those old Yamahas. I'm a sucker for that vintage string machine sound too, but I think synth strings can sometimes suit the music better. But it's great to have options!

[@mrdali67]

@@lundsweden I'm not completely sure, but think those effects is BBD effects. It came in some of the minor CS Synths after the CS80 and their "combo" organs and Synths and made it into the Electone organs too. the Symphonic effect is similar to chorus with a subtle LFO and has a slightly different texture than a standard Chorus that fattens up an otherwise little thin and boring single Osc. synth voice if you ever played those 70's electronic organs with cheasy sounds like violin, trumpet etc. And yes if you just needs a "filler" sound in the background a synth string or pad, prefearable analog is often much more organic and blends much better than eg even a good sampled string sound. I remember fighting to get the DWG wavetables in the Korg M1 and T3 to sound just reasonable like the DW8000 but the digital filters was just not up to it. It always boggled me why Korg never took the hybrid design up again. The DW8000 is a much under estimated Synth that never got the love it deserved. Really a jack of all trades combining Analog Filters with the stabillty of Digital oscillators. I traded my DW8000 (wich was my first Synth baught 2'nd hand) with an EX8000 when I baught the M1, cause I couldn't get the nice string sounds in the M1, and to this day the EX8000 is the biggest regret today that I ever sold, together with a TX802, Even there is a FM engine in the Kronos with far more possibilities Its just not the same "sound" as a Yamaha, even it reads standard DX7 sysex. It can still do much more than just the standard DX sound tho. The problem with the Kronos is you need a Haward degree to fully comprehend all the things it can do. But stuff like the old Analog machines like the Prophet 5 is you have a knob and switch for every thing you can modify right in your face ... no 10 deep multy screen menus, or tiny 3 digit displays to show a single value at the time when programming it.

[@utdgrant]

The sound of a good string ensemble generator (such as the Eminent / Solina sound) is unique, and can't be recreated using multiple oscillators. It's particuarly noticeable when you play a low note on a string machine - you get more of a 'sizzling bacon' sound, rather than the cyclic 'unison' sound of a multi-oscillator-per-voice polysynth. There are technical reasons why this is the case, but it's mostly because of the way the 'spike' in a sawtooth wave overlaps in a semi-random way in an ensemble generator, rather than the predictable, cyclic 'beat frequency' of two detuned oscillators. Even a good stereo chorus unit (like what you would find on a Juno) can't achieve that classic string machine 'sizzle'.

[@mrdali67]

@@utdgrant The technical difference is it's paraphonic instead of polyphonic, the filters and Amp EG's don't restart for every note you play legato or with multiple notes. The organs and Stringmachines can technical produce as many tones as you have keys, but as you only have typical 1 filter and Amp EG when you play melodic lines with several notes the EG does not retrigger unless you lift all fingers then it will restart on the next note. That is why the sound is different and the fact that you have 12 oscilator boards one for each note and then they use eg 4 frequency dividers for each board, for a 4 octaves keybed. That is why you get a more rough sound as you go thru more dividers for each octave you go down. It would be fairly easy to emulate this in either software or FPGA as the circuits is building on kinda basic sound generation techniques. But sadly most software remakes of classic string machines is usually based on sampling which simply don't give you the "real" sound over a certain range of keys

[@utdgrant]

​@@mrdali67 I too love paraphonic architectures, but I would still argue that the ensemble generator is the single most critical factor in recreating that classic string machine sound. I developed a series of modules for Cherry Audio's Voltage Modular, called the "Stringer 76 Paraphonic Construction Kit". It consists of a Divide-Down Oscillator Bank, a four-stage Phaser (inspired by the Small Stone), and an Ensemble Generator (inspired by the Solina circuit). It's the Ensemble Generator that really is the secret sauce. I also developed a completely free-of-charge module called "Micro Stringer" which runs under Voltage Modular Nucleus (also free-of-charge). kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqvCZa2eq9Ohb8U

[@kevinurso1944]

I just… want to… runaway ❤❤❤

[@everpuremusic]

That smile at 8:00 :)

[@musicien.du.dimanche]

I got a little Reface CS so I can play around with my talkbox. Do you think I can get close to the exemple with just one oscilator? I’ll try with the plugins in Logic anyway, but I’m curious about what I can achieve with the yamaha. The reface is really fun.

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

give it a go!

[@oldunclemick]

Reface CS is excellent - so quick to dial in sounds that I'll often pick up my CS just to keep things happening. Give it a try for sure because a number of its texture and mod settings are actually multi-oscillator waveforms.

[@arnaudcourange2580]

Hello boss ici la France 😊Paris 🎰

[@BeachPresent]

That would be interesting. If you read a course of lectures on the theory of synthesis. I have tried . They rented some kind of club. And 5 people came. That would be great. Because people buy a synthesizer and then don’t understand what to do with it.

[@keprmusic3705]

👍

[@1dkappe]

A little bit between a pipe organ and Gary Newman in spots. 😂

[@DojoOfCool]

Sounds like the soundtrack from 1960's SciFi movie.

[@nickjones5641]

Hi Matt, any plans to demo the Super Gemini? I have the Super 6 and Prophet 10 after watching your videos

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

I don't think so, they said they were going to send one but never did

[@nickjones5641]

@@MattJohnsonJamiroquai ah too bad! I guess I'll put a message on the forum to encourage them.

[@MaBaKar]

Ta!

[@hazelmillsmusic]

👌🏻👌🏻

[@amonster8mymother]

I have string samples of my poly six and I have a polysix and they're not the same???

[@fjzingo]

Matt, any thoughts on tuning of the prophet 6 for live use, I just got the sister ob6 and it jumps around like crazy. I have run the tuning seq and it seems to stabilise the tuning. How does it behave on stage? Any tuning issues? Smart tips and tricks?

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

The 6 is very reliable in my experience

[@fjzingo]

@@MattJohnsonJamiroquai thanks, lets see in a weeks time with the ob6👍

[@damesmusictunestherealdjtu3722]

In the synth you playing is it called a hold or its called something else i need help

[@lavoltabbona]

Easy (for you 😀)

[@Roland_Tr909_Swing]

Yey

[@marianomartinez9763]

Fuckin awesome

[@Bonamici]

💙💛

[@arnaudcourange2580]

Hello boss fantastique ingénieur you art the boss ok 👌 😊😅by

[@amonster8mymother]

It's funny I downloaded a bank for my jx10 with strings(reverb strings cello orchestral soundtrack) and I cant get an analog string patch on the jx10 I'm going to have to program it myself. ❤ 8:17

[@BeachPresent]

Okay, tell me how to do it on a theremin. We're talking about anyone here. It is clear that when you have at least 3 standard waveforms, then everything is possible. BUT there is also additive, FM and just romplers. Well, or samplers. But if you only have a sinusoidal signal on board, then you will have to pass it through overdrive, distortion and then... Don't think so. I enjoy watching your reviews of synthesizers. I really liked Take 5 from the late Dave Smith. If there was a rack option, I would take it right away. I wrote to them. Maybe they'll figure out how to do this.

[@amonster8mymother]

Ok keyboard tracking and keyboard follow are the same????❤

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

Yes

[@Goettel]

Best part is no (expensive) analogue synths are needed.

[@GizzyDillespee]

Yeah, you'd use whatever synth you have... or else there's the Behringer Solina or Pro-800, or for software, String Machines. And 100 other options. Nobody needs to go out and buy a Prophet 10 in order to get this sound. It's a nice synth, though.

[@dazeja]

Exactly. You can even use a simple plugin as well.

[@rachelar]

DX7 mark 1, lush strings. Challenge!

[@MattJohnsonJamiroquai]

You need a degree for that!

[@ptr_new]

Did this on an Alesis Micron (digital VA): kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYK4Z3qOi85labMsi=Trf57z480nM3KpKO It only has sine, triangle and square oscillator types, with an extremely sophisticated FM engine and a huge selection of filters!

[@McPherson123]

Am I the only one who seeks to sculpt strings on a synth to sound authentically like actual strings I'm physical reality and not 80s "synthy" strings and to do that you need to have basically 0 sustain?

[@las97531]

👍