In his latest video, sound designer Ian Dixon takes a look at recreating the sound of classic ’70s string synths with the Korg multi/poly synthesizer.
Dixon walks through the sound design process, step-by-step, and caps the video off with a full audio demo.
Video Summary:
“In this tutorial, I build the complete performance from an initialized sound, creating a Solina-style string layer with multiple oscillators, filtering, ensemble modulation, phaser and stereo delay. I then add a detuned synth bass on Layer B and use key zones to create a playable strings-and-bass keyboard split.
Everything is programmed directly on the Multi/Poly — no software editor required.”
Ian is the best friend this Korg line has. ‘String synth’ is the simplest hat a power player like the multi/poly can wear. Its a good starting point for learning how to build bigger sounds as you go.
Agreed – His passion and dedication is unsurpassed. Grateful for his contributions
He’s done as much for the compact Korg synths as Sinevibes has done for the ‘logue synths.
Arguably better marketing than Korg themselves has done.
Wow the Multipoly is complex, complicated and entangled – all that drama of menu diving and multiple functions per knob for a relatively simple sound.
I couldn’t watch more than 20 sec of the video. That patch sounded nothing like a vintage string synth. The problem, as is the usual case, is that the Ensemble effect sounds nothing like the analog bucket brigade systems used in real 70s string synths.
Onboard effects are always lacking in one place or another, for someone. A lot of organists sneer at Leslie speaker amulations that miss the mark.
Fortunately, effects grow like weeds. One multi-effects box or focused bit of software and you can have a proper BBD with the right grit. The Multi/poly is arguably the beefiest instrument of the line. It seems worthwhile to trick it out a little.
Two points:
Korg should be paying or at least publicly recognizing Ian’s work with the Korg series of synths (Multi/Poly, Wavestate, etc). Amazing work, so thanks Ian.
Second (related to some of the comments), I don’t know why there aren’t some stunning effects reproducing the string machines 3 line chorus sound. I’ve even found free VST synths that reproduce it amazingly well. You think Eventide or whoever would have a stunningly accurate algorithm for that, but they apparently don’t. At least not that I’ve found.
Regarding FX, the Kronos as well as a few other Korg synths has the Ensemble effect from the Korg Polysix so I don’t think it would be too big a deal to integrate it into the MP if it’s not already in there somewhere. It’s not exactly like what’s in the Solina but it’s damned good.