I keep making Pad sounds that are harmonically sound like Strings so that when I play a chord it makes sense but this doesn't really suit my taste...

I think what I'm searching for is something buzzing, dirty, grinding etc, EBM kind of sound...

But typically this probably means losing harmonics and creating carnage across the mix. Any idea how to strike that balance and tick both boxes - character and harmonics?

Also, any idea what Synths would be best to get this character and tone harmonically? Do I need any particular FX?

 

Making Pads is a rabbit hole. Your only real limitations are your chords and your project bpm/key. You can do anything from using Paulstretch Extreme Stretcher on a sample, to using a synth/Padshop to whatever complexity you want. The effects is the same way. It's all context with the space you want it to fill. But for anything "edgy or abrasive", I would use Serum or something like it. Phaseplant would be another good place to start. Normally, I would start a Pad in Omnisphere or Falcon. The "character" can be done in either the synth, the fx, or both.

Post an example to narrow it down.

 

Sounds like a Wavetable Synth then. Maybe its like the Pad/String sound with some Wavetable modulation for an FM kind of dirt and grind... I'll have a look at that thanks...

 

Last edited: Oct 18, 2022

EQ and filters to avoid overlapping/masking in the high-end. Then there is multiband-ducking, Wavesfactory Trackspacer, etc but those tools are usually for when you have real problems with a mix.
The track you posted sounds super-compressed and squashed. Maybe you want frequencies to breathe more.

Edit: Ah, misunderstood you. If you want added harmonics you add saturation, distortion, waveshaping, etc. Then you control these with the effects in the first paragraph.

 

Last edited: Oct 18, 2022

I would suggest experimenting with FM & AM (ring modulation, specifically) between oscillators on your polyphonic synths that have it. You can add lots of overtone, buzz and grit this way while maintaining harmony if you tune it properly.

EDIT: didn't see until now that you already mentioned FM!

 

Looking at this from a music-theory point of view, grittiness comes from dischords, in other words not nice clean triads like C,E,G (C chord) or A,C,E (Am chord) but jazzier combinations. Throw in a few "foreign" notes or modify the existing notes. For instance, C,E,F# (Cdim chord) or even C,E,F#,G (which doesn't have a conventional chord name AFAIK!). The tritone interval (e.g. C-F#) has been described as "the devil in music" (though it features in dominant seventh chords, e.g. B-F in G7).

Another approach is to use different tunings. Eastern tunings sound very weird to westerners, as we're used to equal-temperament tuning. But even equal temperament can sound odd, e.g. 19-TET. Look into Scala and TUN files, some synths can import them.

To get semitone clashes in a standard synth, try tuning one oscillator at +25 cents and another at -25 cents, both equal volume.

Hope this gives you some ideas!

 

Great ideas thanks...

I think playing with the key etc might be part of what I'm after, but the grit etc like I got from the Bass is from using an Oberheim with some Amp stuff, so I think what I might be after as a Pad Synth might be similar - like Amp FX or some Overdrive. The Jupiter sound that I've used is ok but its very 'nice'. It feels like FM might be where I'll get the best results along with some insane EQ bumps, Ring Mod etc...

Any suggestions for vintage Synth emulations that have these kind of FX inbuilt? I seem to like the sound of Oberheim over the typical Moog and Juno style for example but I don't think I want the whole sound to be Oberheim unless it makes sense as a balance... Love Juno's on Arps etc, but I'm not sure what I'm after for this Pad stuff. Wavetable in Ableton is probably close and will do a job, but its a bit sterile and I feel like I might be looking for a Ring Mod or a mix of analogue Waves like in the Oberheims with an FM modulation... I'm really not sure until I find a Synth that lights me up and completes the sound for my taste.

Cheers for all these suggestions so far.

 

You could try Analog Voice. Free 32-bit VST.
https://plugins4free.com/plugin/1115/