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Serum Tutorial: Chiptune Lead Synth

by | Aug 16, 2024 | Blog

serum tutorial chiptune lead synth

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

What’s up, everyone? Subterranean here! Today, we’re diving deep into creating a classic chiptune lead synth using Serum. This step-by-step guide will walk you through every part of the process so you can master that lead sound often heard in modern dubstep tracks by artists like Virtual Riot and others.

Table of contents

Introduction to the Chiptune Lead

You’ve probably come across leads that sound like this in numerous dubstep songs. These leads are dynamic and have an iconic electronic vibe. To get started, we’ll be using Serum, a powerhouse synth that provides immense flexibility and power.

Initializing the Patch

First, let’s initialize the patch in Serum and set aside any external effects for now. We’ll bring those back in later to fine-tune our sound. Here’s a breakdown of the main steps:

  1. Initialize the Patch: Reset Serum to start with a clean slate.
  2. Oscillator A Setup: Use a Pulse Width Modulating (PWM) waveform.
  3. Unison and Detune: Set Unison to 16 and adjust the Detune.
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Configuring Oscillator A

Pulse Width Modulation Setup

We’ll begin by selecting the Pulse Width Modulator MG under the Analog category for Oscillator A.

  1. Select Pulse Width Modulation MG: Navigate through the analog category to find PWM MG.
  2. Set Unison to 16: Increase the Unison all the way to 16 for that rich, full sound.
  3. Adjust Detune: Play around with the Detune until it sounds right. A good spot is around 0.03 to avoid that metallic sound typical of over-detuned PWM oscillators.
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Tip: “If you increase the detune too much on pulse width-modulated oscillators, they’ll have this sort of weird metallic sound that doesn’t really work for leads like this.”

Fine-Tuning the Wavetable Position

Now, let’s tweak the wavetable position. Experiment around, but we found setting it to 12 works well.

  1. Adjust Wavetable Position: Set this to 12.
  2. Use LFO 1 on Wavetable Position: Drag LFO 1 onto the wavetable position and set the modulation to around 82.
  3. Set LFO Rate: Adjust it to 1 Bar and leave the mode off so it plays smoothly.

Adding Oscillator B

Next, we’ll introduce Oscillator B with a basic saw wave.

  1. Select a Basic Saw Wave: Navigate to Analog → Basic Shapes → Set Wavetable Position to 2.
  2. Set Unison to 16: Similarly, crank up the Unison to 16 for a fuller sound.
  3. Adjust Detune: Place the Detune around the middle, approximately at 24-25.
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“Unison settings significantly impact the fullness and texture of the sound. Don’t be afraid to explore!”

Adding Effects

To round out our lead synth, we’ll add some essential effects:

  1. Hyper Dimension: Set the Mix to 41 and deactivate the dimension.
  2. Chorus: Adds a subtle layering. Adjust Mix to 34%, Rate to 0.09 Hz, Delay 1 and 2 to 0.3 ms.
  3. Compressor: Set to Multiband and turn up the gain about 10 dB. Adjust the threshold to -15.7 dB.
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External Effects and Final Touches

Let’s add some external effects to elevate our synth:

  1. EQ Eight: Use it to cut off the low end (around 300 Hz) and boost the highs (around 6.59 kHz, increased by 3.1 dB).
  2. Reverb (Ableton’s Preferred): Set the dry/wet to 28% and decay time (DK) to around 2.41 seconds.
  3. Ping-Pong Delay: Adjust dry/wet to 24% and feedback to 51%.
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Voicing and Portamento Setup

To fix clashing notes, we’ll turn on Mono and set portamento to around 65 milliseconds which ensures a smooth glide between notes when they overlap.

“Pitch bending is key. Using MIDI pitch bends can add a lot of character to your lead.”

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Serum Tutorial: Chiptune Lead Synth – synth sound design – music production tips – Ableton Serum

Conclusion

You’ve successfully created a chiptune lead synth! Don’t forget to experiment with pitch bends using MIDI or your keyboard’s pitch bend wheel to add even more depth. Download the Ableton project file and the preset from the description box to follow along or customize it further.

Please like this tutorial, leave a comment, and subscribe to our channel if you haven’t already!

Happy Synthesizing! 🎛️

6 serum tutorial chiptune lead synth

FAQs

What is the first step in creating a chiptune lead synth using Serum?

The first step is to initialize the patch in Serum. This involves resetting Serum to start with a clean slate, which helps in focusing on crafting the chiptune lead synth without any pre-existing settings interfering with your sound design.

How should Oscillator A be configured for a chiptune lead sound?

For Oscillator A, select the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) waveform from the Analog category. Set the Unison to 16 and adjust the Detune to around 0.03. This setup gives a rich, full sound while avoiding excessive metallic artifacts.

What are the key settings for adjusting the wavetable position in Serum?

Set the wavetable position to 12 and use LFO 1 to modulate it. Drag LFO 1 onto the wavetable position and set the modulation to around 82 with a rate of 1 Bar. This helps create a dynamic and evolving lead sound.

How can external effects enhance the chiptune lead synth?

Add external effects like EQ Eight to cut low-end frequencies and boost highs. Use Reverb to add space, and Ping-Pong Delay for a stereo effect. These enhancements will give the lead synth a more polished and professional sound.

What is the purpose of setting Mono and Portamento in the chiptune lead synth?

Setting Mono ensures that only one note plays at a time, avoiding note clashes. Portamento, set to around 65 milliseconds, allows for smooth gliding between notes, which adds a distinctive touch to the chiptune lead sound.

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