The Faint synth sound
 

Hi - I recently saw The Faint play live. Don't know if you know them, but they play a kind of synth rock. The synth player guy gets an amazing sound - I think he is using either a Virus or Nord (I couldn't see, but it was red).

I have a Virus Rack Classic, although I know next to nothing about sound designing. Does anyone on here who knows The Faint's music know how they get that sound?

Any names of specific tunes in particular? (I haven't yet heard The Faint)

Hi Timo - Their recent album is called 'Wet From Birth' and the synth sounds I really like are in the break and instrumental passage of a track called 'Paranoia Attack'. The sound in the break in particular just sounds like the earth is about to cave in beneath you. It's phenomenal. Wish I could get a sound like that...

But then the whole album is really well produced and they get great sounds on every instrument. So production probably has as much to do with it as synth programming.

please post an audio clip...this will help us in desiphering whether it can be done or not!!

peace
Blank

ok. will do later. the cd's at home and i'm at work now

at last! it was one of them blinkin enhanced CDs that wouldn't play on one computer only on another etc

anyway, i've posted it up at

MOD EDIT:(10/12/04): Sorry guys no links to illegal music/wares allowed. Perhaps take a grab from the song with the sound your refer to, and provide another link. Thanks.

Hope The Faint don't mind. I'm sure you guys will go and buy the album or something if you like the track anyway :)

like I said, the sound I really like is in the instrumental passage after the verses.

about what time in the song? Im not sure what you mean by the instrumental part of the song...how many min and sec into the song?

peace
Blank

Thanks Blank - One of the bits I was referring to comes between 01:16 and 01:31 - though they use a very similar sound all the way through.

Like I said, I don't know much about sound designing, but it's the 'tearing' sound within each note that I particularly like.

The sound to me sounds like a distorted sh101...but ill go back and listen again since i know the times now!!

peace
Blank

I dont think the Virus would have any problems doing those sounds I heard in the track...

But, dont ask how to get them....I have no idea. Sorry! Im just a fiddler/tweak and pray kinda guy

Well if anything ill be able to get close...but i do believe you will need a different distortion source...but ill see what i can do...

peace
Blank

wow! i'll be really interested to hear your efforts blank. I wasn't expecting anyone to go to this kind of trouble, but I'll be extremely grateful if you could produce a patch.

sorry everyone about posting that 'illegal' link. n00bie naivete I'm afraid! :oops:

im working on it give me a few days!!

peace
BLank

Ok i finally got to it today...it wasnt that hard but at the same time its not exact...close tho...I believe the filter settings for the LFO are off..but this will get you started...

tell if its not right...I am working with crappy headphones...and it took me about 30mins...so it could be off



peace
Blank

Hey Blank - Thanks a million for that! Sounds great!

Sounds top on its own and I've also tried tweaking a bit, adding a bit of extra saturation which sounds cool too.

I bought you a virtual beer to say thanks - it's at http://www.virtualbeer.com/vb/send/pilsner.shtml Hope you like it :D

Cool man glad you like it...

peace
Blank

I know that the Faint used a Nord Lead 2 alot on Danse Macabre, Im sure their synth gear has increased a lot. Alot of it is processed bass and guitar. I know for sure they use/used NL2 alot. I think about half or less of the new album is good. Danse Macabre is my favorite. You should check out Broken Spindles, it's the bass player's solo deal, kinda like the Faint mixed with Dntel. Both of which you can check out on iTunes.

Just picked up The Faints new CD.....

A few cool tunes, but not all of it grabbed my attention, and I have a pretty short attention span as it is....so needless to say it hasnt been played much

They are coming to Australia soon, How's their live show? I hear they put on a good performance...

I have always missed them live, damnitt. All of my friends say they're bad ass live. They actually put on a show ie, rockin out, dancing etc. You should check out their previous two records Danse Macabre(the best one) and blank wave arcade, their first album as a heavysynthpopish band.