Synthesizing (Open) hihats

mother misty

Hi all,

I'm building a new drumpatch but I would like to use a different approach
for the open hihats. I mostly use some kind of filtered noise to make them but
I'm not satisfied with the results. It just sounds like... filtered noise Smile

I've searched the archives but I could only find Sheridan's "hihat machine"
which is great but rather DSP-expensive and hard to implement in a patch.
Is there anyone who has got some hihats tips/tricks/examples?
I would appreciate it if you could share them here.

Thanks!

misty.

elektro80 · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:24 am Post subject:

Gordon Reid has something: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug02/articles/synthsecrets0802.asp

Wout Blommers · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:28 am Post subject:

I mostly I use the NordLead2 HiHat in an Open/Close configuration. Closed is created by holding the key and Open is done by a quick release on the key.

I post a picture of the settings.

As you see, there is no LFO, just the ModEnv A=0, D=14 and A=104, set to the FM.
There is no Noise used, just FM 'noise' done by a Pulse wave to the Triangle wave at Osc1. The Modulator is two octaves higher then the Carrier. Modulator has NO keyboard tracking.
Use a mixer to the FM fed by the ModEnv and Osc2.

The Open/Close trick is done by a zero Sustain.
The Filter is of course the 24 dB NordFilter

In the sound example the second sound is two keys together, which gives a nice detuned HiHat.

The SysEx file is the NordLead2 file.

Wout

NordLeadHiHat.wav

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NordLeadHiHat.jpg

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P003Hi-Hat00.syx

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dasz · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 11:31 am Post subject:

a. use a sample-rate/bit reducer module and set it to 11kHz and 8 bit. that gives you some nice character.

b. an eq module could also help here (sweepable).

c. also apply a shaper which is modulated with a decay env.

do this before your amp env tho Wink

Let me know if this helps.
/Dasz

Wout Blommers · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 2:40 pm Post subject:

Have you been here already?

http://nm-archives.electro-music.com/010_NordModular/015_Workshops/Rhythm/DanceTechno-Dr&Bass.html

Wout

ian-s · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:50 am Post subject:

I find it tempting to always use the metallic noise oscillator. But a 'roll your own' can have a different character so it is nice for a change.

The 808 style six squares + HPF (18-30dB) is a good starting point, you can use square wave LFO's to lower dsp load.

Clipping enhances the 'metallic-ness', boost the level x 4 after the HPF then run through a clipper with clip level at 0. Maybe add another HPF after the clipper.

A feed forward comb filter is good for fine tuning the tone. See attached patch.

The attached patch is a version of the shimmer section of the cynare circuit. Variation 4 is open hihat-ish, 3 is a reversed cymbal, the rest are China type or gong like sounds.

shimmer.pch2

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diy metal noise

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shimmer.pch2

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mother misty · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 6:35 am Post subject:

ian-s · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 5:49 pm Post subject:

Thanks Misty

The 808 uses six cmos Schmitt trigger oscillators which produce 50:50 square waves. Using pulse waves does give some interesting variations though.

The first two oscillators in the 808 hat have trimmers to set the frequency precisely. This is because they double duty as the source for the cowbell. The schematic shows calibration values of 1.85ms and 1.25ms which is 540Hz and 800Hz.

Anyways, got inspired by a Korg KR55 OH sample, which showed some randomly spaced but fixed width sections chopped out of the wave. Here is a version which uses one of three square LFO waves through a rndTrig/inverter module to amplitude modulate the combined waves.

The rest is standard except the comb filter and ShpStatic to fatten up the envelope shape. That's 'fat' as in the opposite of 'skinny' BTW.

KRHat.pch2

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ian-s · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 11:48 pm Post subject:

Just did the Boss DR110 hats here

mother misty · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:31 am Post subject:

Thanks G2ian!

One more question I'm afraid Smile

Is there's some kind of logic for the oscillators frequency or do you just tune them untill they sound good?

misty

ian-s · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:40 am Post subject:

The CR8000 and DR110 service manuals show the frequencies (or periods in ms) for each of the 6 or 4 oscillators.

The DR110 manual claims that the frequencies are chosen from analysis of real cymbal. The CR8000 manual simply says "frequency ratios between adjacent two; should be in 1.1 - 1.4 steps. Note that two oscillators generating on too close frequency will sound beating cymbal"