5. Effects
Goal¶
In this tutorial, we will be learning how to create an end of chain effects section. This tutorial is a continuation of the "Intro To Bell - Make A Synth" tutorial series.
Example Patcher
Prerequisites¶
This tutorial is designed for users with a cursory understanding of Bell. If you are unfamiliar with Bell, we recommend heading to the beginning of our Intro To Bell - Make A Synth tutorial series.
For this tutorial, you will need:
- Computer with an internet connection
- Web browser
Tutorial¶
Video Tutorial
Let's begin!
To get started, open up bell.audio in a web browser.
Step 1: Open subtractive_synth.bell¶
Log into your Bell account. Then click File, then click Open project....
For this tutorial, we will be using the subtractive_synth.bell project from the ADSR - Make Envelopes Bell tutorial. If you do not have this file, either follow the Bell tutorial, or download the file here.
Step 2: Add reverb~ object¶
Double-click or press N and create a reverb~ object. Patch reverb~ between the vca~ and dac~ objects.
We have our first dsp effect on Bell! reverb~ is a basic, but beautiful algorithm that gives you the essential controls you want over your reverb.
The default arguments are pleasant enough, but let's add some knobs to control the reverb parameters.
Step 3: Add knob objects to reverb~¶
Create 2 knob objects. Set one knob scale from 100 to 20000. Patch the scaled knob outlet to the reverb~ time inlet. Patch the second knob's outlet to the reverb~ damp inlet.
We now have control over our reverb, and can dial it in to our taste! However, we are only hearing the fully wet signal. Let's set up a mixing section that allows us to mix our dry and wet signals!
Step 4: Create a dry/wet control¶
Create a blend~ object. Patch the vca~ outlet into the first inlet, and the reverb~ outlet into the second inlet. Patch the blend~ outlet to dac~.
blend~ing in stereo!
If you want to mix a stereo signal, simply set up 2 blend~ objects, and patch a knob to both Control inlets to mix each channel simultaneously!
We now have a classic mix knob, which blends between our dry and wet signal. Slide the Control value inside blend~ to mix between our dry signal and our wet reverb signal!
Step 5: Add a second effect¶
Create a delay~ object. Then, create a mixer~ object set to 2 channels. Patch the vca~ outlet into the delay~ inlet. Then, patch the reverb~ and delay~ outlets to the mixer~ channel inlets.
Patch the mixer~ outlet to blend~'s second inlet.
Now we have 2 DSP effects that we can add to our subtractive synth sound!
Bloom: Build an effect from scratch: chorus¶
We have an array of awesome DSP effect objects at your disposal, but sometimes it's great to break out an effect to have complete control over it.
Let's try out this exercise by building a chorus effect from scratch! Give it a try yourself using the available delay~ and cycle~ objects, or check out our example patcher below:
Custom Chorus Example
Recommended Reading¶
A Brief History Of Sound Effects
Audio Effects: Guide To Sculpting Sound
Recommended Watching¶
The Complete History of Guitar Effects
Next Steps¶
Our subtractive synth is complete! Bud is proud of your creation, and wants you to share it with the world! Head to the next tutorial where we will learn how to share our project in the Community Garden, and learn how to copy and play around with other users' shared projects!