# Sound recipes — non-obvious DeepMind parameter interactions Techniques that exploit DeepMind-specific behaviors. Use labels for enum params (`set_param` with `label:`), normalized 0–1 for continuous. Run `describe_param` to see valid labels for any param. --- ## Electro piano foundation patch A subtractive analog approximation of electric piano character. OSC 2 hard sync with a high pitch offset simulates the metallic harmonic content of tines. The filter envelope provides the key attack-then-settle shape. This is a starting point for a family of sounds — bright/FM-flavored with filter open, mellower Rhodes-adjacent with it closed. **Oscillators** ``` osc1.sawtooth 1 (on) osc1.square 1 (on) osc1.pwm 0.0 # 50% duty cycle — true square osc1.pwmSource label:"Manual" osc1.range label:"8'" osc2.sync 1 (on) # hard sync to OSC 1 — locks OSC 2 phase osc2.pitch 0.68 # pitched well above OSC 1 to simulate tine harmonics osc2.toneMod 0.70 # metallic pulse-insert character; key brightness control osc2.level 0.85 osc2.range label:"8'" noise.level 0 # no noise for piano character ``` **Filter** — start closed and let the envelope do the work ``` filter.cutoff 0.22 # nearly closed; envelope sweeps from here filter.hpfCutoff 0.0 # HPF off filter.resonance 0.25 # slight resonance to add shimmer; raise for bell edge filter.keyTracking 0.45 # higher notes open filter — mirrors real EP behavior filter.envDepth 0.55 # filter envelope drives the brightness transient filter.envPolarity label:"Normal" ``` **VCA envelope** — instant attack, high decay, sustain lower than decay peak (the "steppy" shape) ``` env.amp.attack 0.0 # instant — keys sound immediately env.amp.decay 0.68 # long fall to sustain env.amp.sustain 0.50 # lower than implicit decay peak — sound settles after strike env.amp.release 0.08 # very short — keys cut off cleanly ``` **VCF envelope** — mirrors VCA shape but with a small release tail ``` env.filter.attack 0.02 # nearly instant filter opening on strike env.filter.decay 0.60 # filter closes through note hold env.filter.sustain 0.30 # filter stays slightly open while held env.filter.release 0.20 # brief brightness tail when key released ``` **Effects — serial chain (all four slots)** ``` FX1 T-RayDelay mix ~0.15 # oil-can analog delay; ambience without wash FX2 Chorus mix ~0.70 # width and shimmer; swap for Phaser or Flanger for different flavor FX3 AutoPan # gentle movement; keep rate slow FX4 FairComp # tightens dynamics; makes quiet playing feel physical ``` **Velocity expression via mod matrix (all three add playing feel)** ``` Velocity → osc2.toneMod depth ~+0.30 # harder strike = more metallic upper partials Velocity → osc2.pitch depth ~+0.15 # harder strike = slightly higher tine harmonic Velocity → filter.cutoff depth ~+0.25 # harder strike = brighter initial transient ``` **Tonal variations** — the key levers once the foundation is set | Want more of… | Adjust | |---------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Brightness / FM flavor | Raise `filter.cutoff` and/or `filter.envDepth` | | Mellow / Rhodes direction | Lower `osc2.pitch` and `filter.cutoff`; reduce `filter.envDepth` | | Tine character | Raise `osc2.toneMod` or `osc2.pitch`; experiment with `osc2.sync` off | | Attack punch | Lower `env.amp.decay`; raise `filter.envDepth` | | Longer resonant tail | Raise `env.amp.release` and `env.filter.release` | | Tremolo / vibrato | Enable an LFO → filter cutoff or pitch at slow rate; use LFO delay | | Stereo width | Swap FX2 Chorus for RotarySpkr or raise AutoPan depth | Read: [oscillators.md](oscillators.md), [filter.md](filter.md), [envelopes.md](envelopes.md), [mod-matrix.md](mod-matrix.md), [effects/delays.md](effects/delays.md), [effects/creative.md](effects/creative.md), [effects/processing.md](effects/processing.md) --- ## Envelope as complex LFO (loop mode) `env.amp.triggerMode` label `"Loop"` — envelope cycles ADR continuously, skipping sustain. Use asymmetric curve values (`attackCurve`, `decayCurve`, `releaseCurve`) to shape the cycling waveform into patterns no LFO can produce. All three envelopes support Loop independently. Read: [envelopes.md](envelopes.md) ## Sustain slope — notes that evolve while held `env.*.sustainCurve` — midpoint (0.5) is flat. Below 0.5 the level falls during sustain; above 0.5 it rises. Set amp sustain curve high + filter sustain curve low → note gets louder but darker while held. Per-envelope, so amp and filter can slope in opposite directions. Read: [envelopes.md](envelopes.md) ## Keyboard-scaled envelope shape via mod matrix Route Note Number → envelope curve params (SusCurve, EnvDepth). The envelope *shape* changes across the keyboard — low notes get falling sustain, high notes get rising sustain. Different from pitch/filter key tracking. Read: [mod-matrix.md](mod-matrix.md) ## Envelope-driven oscillator crossfade Route VCA Envelope → OSC 2 Level in mod matrix. OSC 2 presence follows the note lifecycle — fades in during attack, out during release. Use negative depth to invert (OSC 2 present at rest, fades out on note). Read: [mod-matrix.md](mod-matrix.md), [oscillators.md](oscillators.md) ## Fixed-offset portamento `portamento.mode` values 6–13 are fixed-interval slides — every note swoops from a set interval regardless of previous note. Not legato glides; they're built-in pitch transients. Pair with slow attack for organic pitch-rise effects. Read: [voice-config.md](voice-config.md) ## Expression → OSC 2 pitch Route Expression → OSC 2 Pitch in mod matrix with OSC 2 detuned low. Foot pedal sweeps OSC 2 through harmonic intervals in real time — from detuned sub rumble to unison lock. Read: [mod-matrix.md](mod-matrix.md) ## Aftertouch → LFO rate Route Pressure → LFO Rate in mod matrix. Harder press = faster LFO, not just deeper. The *character* of vibrato/filter wobble changes with finger pressure — more expressive than simple aftertouch→depth. Read: [mod-matrix.md](mod-matrix.md), [lfos.md](lfos.md) ## Envelope → Tone Mod Route VCA Envelope → TMod Depth in mod matrix. Tone Mod (DeepMind-unique) splits OSC 2's square wave with a pulse insert for metallic harmonics. Envelope routing makes that metallic character follow the note shape — FM-like attack transients without FM. Read: [oscillators.md](oscillators.md), [mod-matrix.md](mod-matrix.md) ## Mod wheel → FX parameters Mod matrix destinations include FX slot params (destinations 115+). Route Mod Wheel to FX parameters for real-time performance control over effect character. Read: [mod-matrix.md](mod-matrix.md), [effects.md](effects.md) ## Delayed LFO onset `lfo*.delayTime` — first 40% of range is silence, remaining 60% is fade-in. Stagger LFO 1 (short delay) and LFO 2 (long delay) to layer modulation that arrives at different points in the note. Read: [lfos.md](lfos.md) ## Self-oscillating filter as 3rd oscillator `filter.keyTracking` at max (1.0) + high resonance (>0.78). Filter tracks pitch 1:1 and self-oscillates into a pitch-accurate sine — a playable 3rd oscillator across the keyboard. Read: [filter.md](filter.md)