Cassette Tape Synths Ableton Live Pack
The Cassette Tape Ableton Live Pack is made with samples of analog synthesizers recorded to cassette tape. I programmed 54 sounds on the Prophet 6, MS-20, MG-1, and Volca FM and recorded them all to cassette tape. The samples average about 20 seconds each. While recording I manipulated controls and modulated parameters, creating lively and organic tones. After capturing the warmth and saturation of tape, I sampled them into Ableton Live and built the Cassette Tape Synths Instrument Rack.
Includes:
- 54 Synth Sounds recorded to cassette tape.
- 20 Macro Variation Presets.
Ableton Live Presets require Live 12.2 Intro or Above.
Nostalgia, Warmth, Character, and Personality
I love hearing what happens when I record sounds to tape. There’s something special about the way the tape hugs and caresses sound, imparting subtle saturation and warmth, with a touch of tape hiss. Instantly everything sounds like a fond memory.
I programmed 54 sounds on some of my favorite synthesizers and recorded them to my dual deck cassette recorded, the same cassette tape deck I had in my youth and used to dub countless mix tapes and demo tapes of bands I’ve played in throughout my life. While recording the samples, I twisted knobs, changing the sound as I go to create movement and life to each sound. These are long and evolving samples that feel alive and organic.
Listening back to the tape, it was like those synths went through a Time Machine and came back out my speakers.
Some of the synths used to create the Cassette Tape Synths Ableton Live Pack.
Collection of Analog Synthesizer sounds recorded directly to vintage cassette tape player.
Combining the Vintage Tape Sounds with the Power of Ableton Live
Once I had the synths recorded to tape, I brought the recordings into Ableton Live and built the Cassette Tape Synths.
About the 16 Macro Controls:
The Synth Sound Macro Control allows you to select between the 54 cassette tape samples. As you play each sound, notice the subtle changes as you hold down the key; you can hear how I manipulated parameters on the hardware synths while recording the samples. You can even adjust where the sample playback begins. You’ll find new sounds for each of the 54 Synth Sounds by manipulating the Sample Start and Random Sample Start Macro Controls.
You can sculpt the shape of each sounds Volume and Frequencies, add some beautiful Delay, and even make the instruments sound more “cassette tapey” by introducing Pitch Wobble and More Tape Hiss.
20 Macro Variation Presets:
I’ve programmed 20 different Macro Variation Presets. These are carefully crafted presets using the 16 Macros to help you get some commonly used synthesizer sounds, as well as some more unusual and experimental ones.
If you do the math, 54 Synth Sounds, each with 20 Macro Variation Presets, means there are over 1,000 sounds at your fingertips!
I had a lot of fun building the Cassette Tape Synths Ableton Live Pack, and even more fun using it in my own music. I’ve only begun scratching the surface of the sound possibilities and it’s got me feeling very inspired!
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