Synth Pads on the LP?

The Analog Kid · Post by **The Analog Kid** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 6:00 pm

I play lead, and Bass on my LP, and have never had anything to do synth pads, and I have no clue how to synthesize one. I know that Moog doesn't design the LP with pads in mind. with that said, is it even possible to create a synth pad on a LP, and if so how?

Portamental · Post by **Portamental** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 6:33 pm

With only one LFO, two Osc, monophonic, no multi-timbral feature or any special effects such as delay or reverb, the LP is not the best equipped synth around for pads. Since pads are played slow by nature, the trick is to release keys between notes (or set legato to reset, but it's not exactly the same as you don't get the release part of the envelope), and use rather long attack and decay on envelopes but more importantly maximum release. If you do that AND combine the LP with a Lexicon effects processor or something similar, you can get mighty good analog pads.

MarkM · Post by **MarkM** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 7:41 pm

You can also tune each oscillator to a different interval. I.E Osc. 1 as the root Osc. 2 as a 4th or 5th. As stated above, use a long release and attack with ample reverb/delay.

Spaghettaboutit · Post by **Spaghettaboutit** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 1:33 am

What about just setting the LP to a slow attack and use either the Electro Harmonix POG or HOG to add the thickness?

narrowcaster · Post by **narrowcaster** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:21 am

Also, if you put it through a digital delay with a long delay time and a lot of feedback, you can use that to build up the pad-like sound. This can be good for drone textures where you don't need a lot of control over harmony, but not so good if you want a pad that follows chord changes.

CTRLSHFT · Post by **CTRLSHFT** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:15 pm

with alot of delay a mono synth can fake poly pretty well, too, which is a common feature of most "pads", although this is not an absolute.