Absynth Sample Layering Basics

Although this tutorial was made for an earlier version of Absynth, everything shared in it is still 100% applicable to the current version. Absynth sample layering is just one more thing made possible by this amazing synth that sets it even further apart from the competition. Loading samples into Absynth to process them is just the gateway, because there is so much more you can do! Just imagine layering an audio sample with a couple of oscillator modules, designing something truly unique and then using features like the morphing tool to take it somewhere completely unexpected and new. It’s the addition of the audio sample that changes the entire scenario and once you factor in the seemingly endless manipulation possibilities and you get a truly limitless sound design environment. This is why I absolutely love Absynth!

In this example, three different kick drum samples are loaded up to show off how Absynth sample layering works. Showing first how to browse and load each sample, it quickly moves into mixing and filtering to achieve a nice blend of the three sounds together. A Lowpass Filter is used to hone in on certain frequencies in the first sample, while a Bandpass Filter is used to further shape the second sample. The third sample is left alone at this point to allow for some unprocessed acoustics to shine through and bring more life and natural sound to the kick drum.

A Waveshaper, running an Additive 1 waveform, is then loaded into the main output strip. Our three samples flow through this effect unit and are processed together, which helps to gel the sound as one instrument while applying consistent and even waveshaping. This results in a new cohesive sound and it is barely scratching the surface of what you can do with Absynth sample layering! The use of more effects are explored in this lesson, but typically you would probably leave your kick drum centered and less processed to help ensure its usability. Of course, when using other types of sounds and samples, the effects in Absynth are amazing and should be constantly explored.

Cheers,
OhmLab