I can even think of ways to do it, but I would like to hear from you other methods, maybe even more practical

 

I think especially the intro sound in the first vid is achieved with delays, not a step sequencer.

The intro sound in the second vid could've been very well made the same/similar way. This one sounds like a fast delay is just blended in via automation.

 

(second song) Sounds like a drum sample to me that triggers a synth via envelope follower.

In Ableton you can easily achieve similar idea:

1) Add a drum sample on an audio track and add Envelope Follower (In Ableton 11 => Audio Effects => Modulators => Envelope Follower) to it

2) Add a synth to a MIDI channel and draw some notes/chords

3) In Envelope Follower (from the drum sample audio track) click "Map" and click the volume fader of the synth on the MIDI channel
The incoming audio from the Envelope Follow now triggers the volume up+down from the synth.
Tweak the settings knobs on the Envelope Follower to your liking.

Another way to achieve similar results, just use Ableton's Arpeggiator and set it the Rate to FREE mode (unsynced) and play around with the Rate knob while playing your notes/chords.

Then there is another way to do similar things with a Max for Live device called "Flexgroove" https://www.ableton.com/en/packs/flexgroove/
But i think you can do the same things with just the default Arpeggiator inside Ableton if you ask me, save yourself the money.

 

It makes a lot of sense, because I've seen a video of this guy on YT and he loves to delay everything

 

This ^^ ..that Tenet sound (ofc, far from being original) is easily achievable with any arp where you can un-sync and automate the rate/speed. Delay is part of the sound, but not the source. wouldn't put auto/env on the volume though, but the cutoff/decay. Knowing what DAW you're using would be helpful. Agree, there are other ways around, but this is by far the easiest

 

That's the sound of Flexgroove
https://www.ableton.com/en/packs/flexgroove/

a Max for Live device that can re-time midi notes

 

This is amplitude (and/or filter) enveloping. Not actually triggered notes (sequenced or not), AKA bounching ball effect, re-triggering, buffer repeat, etc.
You can control the rate of a saw LFO on amplitude/volume (1) tempo-synced to keep it in time and 2) NOT tempo-synced to make it more smooth and naturally ritardando/accelerando). You can apply this to pad-like sounds.

Rival Consoles (first video ) is a mix of amplitude and filter enveloping, volume automation and panning automation. Ludwig Göranson's example (second video) is more amplitude enveloping, pitch modulation (and/or portamento/glide on the legato notes) and filter cutoff automation (opening/closing of the filter).

 

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Check out Bitwig 4 with the new operators per note!

 

I am probably wrong.. but whatever gets me there 70% in 5 min..;)

 

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you really have admirable knowledge! Thanks!

 

Know any other similar plugin to use outside of Ableton?

 

Stutter Edit
BreakTweaker

From IZotope
And they can do a LOT more

 

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In the first example (at the beginning), it sounds to me like electronic drum pads played with sticks. The performance sounds too developing not to have been played live. 9, 13, 15 stroke rolls with a slight crescendo. This is where some concert snare chops comes in handy; good open & closed roll execution. imo.

 

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No idea.
You can try the alternate method suggested here by @soundgen @RobertoCavally, @Baxter
OR
Play on ableton just the flexgroove part and export it on wav, then open audio file on your preferred daw

 

You don't really need any plugin. I would say @Baxter is closest - he knows a lot about sound design and more.. I would try this first: open your synth, take a LFO, make it sawtooth form and drop it on "volume" knob of your oscillator (level - serum, amp - massive,..). Then just change (modulate) the "rate". Done. After that start shaping your sound and adding automation.

I think Rival Consoles is using lots of modular synths and outboard gear, hence the organic feel.

Of course you can try other plugins/methods. I did ..and made a mess. ;) Just be aware that things these guys do are usually very simple, at least at the beginning of production.

Nice suggestion. You can modulate A LOT of effects simultaneously. iZotope bought Stutter Edit software from Brian Transeau (BT) in 2011 but you can hear the "stutter effects" all over his album Movement In Still Life released in 1999:

 

most likely max or supercollider, in theory also reaktor or analog modules.

but in a way i dont contradict you, because technically using a sequencer to play a sample vs playing a sample and then sequence it "live" using buffers is almost the same, sometimes digital sequencers are actually based on delays, too.

btw, i am not so sure if ryan lee west made that on his own; you can hear the exact same sound from ISAN and chris zabrieskie, too.

oh, and you would be suprised how easy it is to trick the ear by simply using different fractions such as quarter notes, triads, 1/8, 1/12 and so on, which run steadily and in sync just as in any normal sequencer - but then give yourself a slider or knob to choose which of these "speeds" to play.

i am building sequencer modules like that since 20 years and i often come to the conclusion that the latest idiosyncratic rocket technology is by far not as interesting as the simpler things are.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Aug 23, 2021