Headroom / Clipping

[iandaviddunlop]

First let me state I don’t have a lot of experience with poly analog synths. So, this may be something I’m doing wrong.

I’m struggling with making patches that don’t clip once you’re holding 4-5 keys down. Obviously, I can turn the volume down, adjust the gain staging etc. But a patch that plays great and sounds loud with 4-5 keys held sounds very quiet with 1 key held down.

I end up running the Moog One through a compressor to fix this.

Any tips on a better way to solve this?

Thanks!

[jmcecil]

This is a can of worms discussion that has a gazzillion answers..

Here's one take on it.
Piano's, organs etc.. have the same "problem". Hitting 10 keys is louder than hitting 1 key.
Pianists use velocity to control volume
Organists use swell/volume pedals
Electric pianists use a combination and ongoing manual intervention (watch Chick Corea .. he is constantly adjusting the volume in real time on his EP)

So on the One, you need to choose which aspect of the sound you are trying to control and give yourself some options
Use Velocity on the VCA or mixer
Use an exp pedal on the VCA or mixer

things like that.

[iandaviddunlop]

Thanks for the detailed reply. I appreciate the insight.