Classic Detroit Techno/House pad sound

[jambourgie]

Hello everyone. This board was recommended by the wonderful Gearsluts :) So thought I'd come check it out and ask a question about classic techno/house pad sounds.

After a bit of research and messing around, I've found that the sound I'm after was achieved by sampling string/pad chords, and then playing them on a keyboard with a bit of portamento. What I'm trying to find out though is some of the sources for the sounds themselves, most likely presets on classic synths.

Here's a few examples of the kind of sounds I'm talking about:

http://soundcloud.com/dariussyrossian/days-without-you The pads at the beginning with the phasing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAs39tBehZ0 Low-Pass Filtered pad with Portamento from about 5:07

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brTZ4a1reBY The pad with the piano from 2:52 (Actually, now I think about it, this could be one of those 'piano/strings combos from something like a Korg M1)

Any thoughts?

Cheers :rusmile:

[Li000]

Would be really interested too! I have been looking for this for ages but couldn't find anything!

[jambourgie]

Would be really interested too! I have been looking for this for ages but couldn't find anything!

Hi,

I posted this a while ago, and to be honest, I kind of answered my own question. The effect is done by sampling a chord and playing it back on the keyboard and using portamento to bend the 'note'. As for the sources of the sounds, I reckon a lot of them were just standard string presets on common romplers of the day, prob Major/minor 7 chords etc. The Darius Syrossian example I gave sounds very much like an old jungle track called 'The Burial' by Leviticus. I'm not saying he definitely sampled it but it's close to my ears. Have a listen on Youtube and see for yourself.

Hope this helps

[Li000]

OK; I will give it a try! That's a point I am working on for 2 years now... I am really "easy" with any other element of the detroit techno but I can't make great strings/pads ... Dunno if it's a notes or a sound problem...