Session 28: Lead Sounds -- Sync, FM, and Filtered

Objective: Build three performance-ready lead patches -- sync lead, FM lead, and filtered lead -- each with expression mappings for mod wheel, velocity, and aftertouch.

Warm-Up (2 min)

Load your acid bass from Session 27. Play a few notes to hear the filter squelch and glide. You built bass from multiple techniques. Now you apply the same approach to lead sounds -- melodic patches designed for playing expressively. Load the basic patch.

Setup

Each recipe starts from the basic patch. Have 3 empty program slots ready.

Exercises

Recipe 1: Sync Lead (6 min)

The classic Prophet sync sound -- hard sync creates aggressive, harmonically rich timbres (from Session 05 technique, Anu Kirk p.17-21).

1. From the basic patch:
   • Sync 2->1 = ON
   • Osc 1 Shape = Pulse 50, Level = 55, Frequency = C2 (above Osc 2 for sync to produce harmonics)
   • Osc 2 Shape = Saw, Level = 0 (master clock only, not heard)
   • Osc 3 Level = 0, Osc 4 Level = 0
2. Envelope sweep on sync slave pitch:
   • ENV 3: Destination = O1F (Osc 1 Freq), Amount = 67, Attack = 15, Decay = 87, Sustain = 0, Release = 20
3. Filter -- slightly open to let the sync harmonics through:
   • LPF Frequency = 85, Resonance = 25, 4-Pole ON
   • Env Amount = 30, ENV 1: Decay = 60, Sustain = 40
4. VCA:
   • ENV 2: Attack = 5, Decay = 0, Sustain = 100, Release = 25
5. Expression mappings:
   • Mod Wheel Destination = FiL, Amount = -60 (darkens the sound)
   • Pressure Destination = LF1A (LFO 1 Amount), Amount = 30
   • LFO 1: Shape = Tri, Frequency = 50, Amount = 0, Destination = OAF (vibrato via aftertouch)
   • Filter Velocity = 35

6. Play melodic lines. The sync creates a biting, aggressive tone that cuts through any mix

Save as "Sync Lead".

Recipe 2: FM Lead (7 min)

Bright, bell-like lead using FM synthesis between digital oscillators (from Session 08 technique, Anu Kirk p.26-32).

1. Load the basic patch fresh:
   • Osc 1 Level = 0, Osc 2 Level = 0
   • Osc 3 Shape = 1 (sine), Level = 55, Frequency = C0
   • Osc 4 Shape = 3 (square-ish), Level = 20, Frequency = C1 (octave above Osc 3 = 2:1 ratio)
   • FM 4->3 = 35
2. Filter -- open enough for FM harmonics:
   • LPF Frequency = 90, Resonance = 15
   • Env Amount = 25, ENV 1: Decay = 55, Sustain = 50
   • Key Amount = 72
3. VCA:
   • ENV 2: Attack = 3, Decay = 0, Sustain = 100, Release = 30
4. FM dynamics -- velocity controls FM amount:
   • Mod Slot 1: Source = Vel (Velocity), Amount = 40, Destination = FM4 (FM 4->3)
   • This means harder playing = more FM = brighter, more complex tone
5. Expression:
   • Mod Wheel Destination = FM4, Amount = 50 (mod wheel adds FM complexity)
   • Pressure Destination = OAF (pitch vibrato), Amount = 15
   • LFO 1: Shape = Tri, Frequency = 50, Amount = 8, Destination = OAF

6. Play melodic lines. Soft playing produces a warm, simple tone; hard playing produces a bright, complex FM character. The mod wheel adds more complexity on demand

Save as "FM Lead".

Recipe 3: Filtered Lead (5 min)

Warm, expressive lead using resonant filter sweep and mod wheel control (classic subtractive approach).

1. Load the basic patch fresh:
   • Osc 1 Shape = Saw, Level = 50
   • Osc 2 Shape = Saw, Level = 45, Fine = +5 (detuned for thickness)
   • Osc 3 Shape = 3, Level = 20 (digital layer for shimmer)
   • Osc 4 Level = 0
   • Osc Slop = 3
2. Rich filter with strong envelope:
   • LPF Frequency = 55, Resonance = 55, 4-Pole ON
   • Env Amount = 65
   • ENV 1: Attack = 5, Decay = 60, Sustain = 35, Release = 30
   • Key Amount = 72
3. VCA:
   • ENV 2: Attack = 5, Decay = 0, Sustain = 100, Release = 35
4. Expression -- the mod wheel IS the performance:
   • Mod Wheel Destination = FiL, Amount = 70 (mod wheel opens filter dramatically)
   • Filter Velocity = 45 (velocity also opens filter)
   • Pressure Destination = LF1A, Amount = 25
   • LFO 1: Shape = Tri, Frequency = 48, Amount = 0, Destination = OAF
5. Add slight delay: Delay 1 Time = 2 Steps, Level = 30, Feedback 1 = 25

6. Play with the mod wheel at zero: dark, subdued. Push the wheel up: bright, singing, resonant. This lead responds to your playing style

Save as "Filtered Lead".

Exploration (optional, hyperfocus days)

• Add distortion (15-30) to any lead for extra edge and harmonics
• Try the sync lead with a sequenced pattern -- sync leads sound incredible with the sequencer
• Layer two lead approaches: set Osc 1-2 to sync lead settings and Osc 3-4 to FM settings for a hybrid

Output Checklist

• Sync Lead patch saved -- hard sync, aggressive, envelope-swept
• FM Lead patch saved -- velocity-sensitive FM, bell-like to complex
• Filtered Lead patch saved -- mod wheel expression, warm to bright
• Session logged in Obsidian daily note

Key Takeaways

• Lead patches need expression mappings to be musically useful -- velocity, mod wheel, and aftertouch transform a static sound into a responsive instrument
• Hard sync excels at cutting, aggressive leads; FM creates bell-like brightness; resonant filter sweep produces warm, singing tones
• The mod wheel is the lead player's primary performance control -- map it to the parameter that most defines the sound's character

Next Session Preview

Session 29 creates pad and texture patches -- PWM pad, waveshape pad, and modulated texture. These use slow envelopes, detuning, and layered modulation for sounds that fill space and evolve over time.