I would like to use that on any MIDI track - is that possible and what kind of plugin am I looking for?
That’s VERY high on my loooong todo list!
Not cheap, but I purchased the course with the two Building Blocks add-ons. I also have the Anthony Marinelli “Think Like a Synth” course, which is very good. Also expensive, but includes a license for Cherry Audio’s CA2600. Still nothing near what I’ve spent on virtual synths. 
1 Like
Ah, if it costs $$$, I’m out! My bank account looks depressing (again) … and I cannot sell my old body all the time at the local red light district 
1 Like
Sure, any synth with its own filter and envelopes; any other plugin by using a filter effect and envelopes plugin. For example, Kilohearts Nonlinear Filter modulated by an envelope (like in Snap Heap)
I just did this:
to a drum track like that (literally, with kHs Nonlinear Filter and an envelope in Snap Heap).
1 Like
Cool! That approaches what I’m looking for.
Is snap heap necessary?
You need some way to modulate the filter cutoff with an envelope, that’s what makes it chirp. Snap Heap has an excellent modulator section (and is useful for many other things). MultiPass is even better.
Like I said, any synth that is fully programmable can do this. Learning how to do this is pretty fundamental stuff.
1 Like
Ok, just got it to chirp.
To be honest, I was not looking for that specific effect, but now it sounds like Woodstock is raving to that track, which is fantastic!
1 Like
The nice thing about the kHs plugins is it makes it very easy to see what’s going on with the filter. Bitwig builtins would have done fine here too (Bitwig is all about modulators).
Basically, the envelope is just using the attack, and is inverted (i.e. modulating down), and connected to the filter cutoff frequency. The filter is set with a high default cutoff and high resonance (“Q”). Very simple stuff.
That’s otherwise just a standard Oberheim DMX for the drums. Ignore the other effects on it, it’s just a little delay, compression and reverb - because of course I use delay, compression and reverb on drums, duh 
They don’t change the basic filter advice there.
2 Likes
I tried to resist. Bitwig 3 didn’t work for me. Neither did v4. But v5 started growing on me. A Black Friday sale price on Bitwig Studio finally convinced me to upgrade from the 8 track version that came with something I bought. After all of the betas, Bitwig 6 finally was released. It’s got some nice new features.
1 Like
How do you keep up with all the different concepts, UI and UX???
I really had trouble with switching between Ableton and Studio One. So many different ways to do things. So much stuff I don’t know.
And then, every new Plugin has so many unknown new features with accompanying UIs and wordings.
I always end up in rabbit hole of watching loud YouTube videos, reading raving articles and working through mediocre manuals … often ending up with question marks in my eyes and WTF in my mind.
I wish I hadn’t stopped smoking weed, many years ago!
I put a stop on getting new software, as learning it keeps me from making music. Also cause I don’t want to use presets as is, but really want to make the sound mine. Of course I fail sometimes, as some presets are exactly what I need, but still.
2 Likes
Everyone wants this when they start out. Over time you get to a more workable balance
For example, I do not feel the need to come up with yet another string pad patch to add to the approximately two million string pad presets I already have. I will however tweak an existing one to get what I want.
2 Likes
My first DAW was Studio One Pro v2 many moons ago. It was plenty capable back then, but their forum was useless and there was very little training material available. I then picked up SONAR because their forum was great. Lots of good, helpful peeps. I bought a lifetime license to SONAR Platinum (lovingly called SPlat) just before SPlat when splat. Back to Studio One.
I next picked up Reaper v4, now on v7.67. I have tried, more than once, to like Reaper. It’s super capable, rock solid, and IMO, the best valued DAW. I keep it updated, but it’s just too dense for me, too many deep dive menus. Kenny Gioia’s videos help a LOT, but Studio One is simply easier for me to use.
Somewhere along the line, I tried the Ableton version that came with some hardware I bought. I hated the UI and just couldn’t make sense of its workflow. I’m not really into samples and loops.
Bitwig made more sense to me, and I love the UI.
So, Fender Studio Pro and Bitwig Studio for work, and Reaper for sh*ts and grins.
After what happened with SONAR, I’ll always have two different full DAWs.
1 Like
Yeah, for me it’s Bitwig, Reaper and Logic Pro, in that order.
I started out in 1989 on Master Tracks Pro. The only DAWs made back then that are still available are Steinberg Cubase and MOTU Digital Performer, unless you count Pro Tools (which at the time was simply the Avid console and DigiDesign’s Sound Designer)
2 Likes
Also agree about CakeWalk. What a bummer.
1 Like
OK, finished the track with the chirping (hopefully).
I was looking for two things: a) something to drive the track forward which is NOT a boring kick drum and b) some kind of filter effect, initially for the bass.
Now I used the filter on hi hats (and some wild panning) that I wanted to use to drive the track forward … and I’m very happy, as the chirping sounds very much like that d@mn birds that wake me up every morning.
In fact, for some parts I replicated their exact song….
It’s spring, yay!
1 Like
This is turning out super cool. It kind of reminds me of what it would have sounded like if Kool Keith had Jack Dangers do an instrumental remix for him.
1 Like
Thanks! Jack Dangers is one of my absolute heros!
I have to admit that I don’t know Kool Keith … Googling now…
Specifically search for Dr. Octagon.
1 Like
1 Like
Ah, cool!
I need some inspiration anyway, as I’m going to make a wooden flute / hardcore hiphop track anyway.
@joergkutter inspired me with this:
Got it to work in Studio One, and it’s perfect for some (old) primary school Gangsta rap
2 Likes