EASY SOUND DESIGN

In these days of 'ultimate sample banks' and 'preset-packed' synths and effects, it's easy to think that sound design is a dying art. But, if anything, we think it should be your go-to creative process. So, here's how to get into it, whatever your level of understanding

You own a million samples, and that new softsynth you just bought has a gazillion presets, so why on earth would you want to bother designing any sounds these days? As far as effects go, you’ve surely got a hugely powerful multi-effect in your chain. Simply hit Random, and, hey presto, it’s automatically ‘designed’ some sounds for you, right? And let’s not even start with AI – that has surely already been revolutionising the intelligent design of all-new sounds, hasn’t it? So there’s no point in creating your own sounds, period. Wrong! Here’s why sound design should be at the top of your music production process…

First, saying ‘Why bother with sound design when I can use someone else’s preset?’ is a bit like saying, ‘Why bother creating a tune if I can use someone else’s?’. But there are more practical – and frankly less argumentative – reasons why you need to bother creating your own sounds.

Designing your own sonic textures gives you total control over everything you could wish for, from the very attack of the sound to that gently fading reverb tail. Then there is the very pleasure of using something that you have created within your latest tune. In fact, it might well be the very essence of that tune. Thirdly, sound design can be fun, and we mean really fun (although maybe don’t go on about it like we do at parties, okay?). Fourthly, as great as presets are, they are often used to grab your attention, filling space in places you might not want them to. Fifth, using a synth or effect to create sounds means you really get to know your tools well. Do we need a sixth reason? Thought not…