Sound Design
Our journey into crafting sounds from scratch
Sound Foundations
Sound Basics
Sound starts with waves—sine, square, sawtooth, and triangle shapes each have a unique vibe. Frequency (Hz) sets pitch, amplitude sets volume. In Logic Pro X, use the Test Oscillator to hear a sine wave at 440 Hz (A4).
Dive DeeperSynthesis
Synthesis crafts sounds from scratch. Subtractive synthesis starts with a rich waveform (like a sawtooth) and uses filters to carve away frequencies—low-pass keeps the bass, high-pass keeps the treble. In Logic Pro X, load ES2, pick a sawtooth oscillator, and sweep the cutoff filter from 10 kHz down to 100 Hz to hear it darken.
Synthesis Fundamentals
Oscillators generate sound, filters shape it, and envelopes (ADSR: Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) control its dynamics. Try Retro Synth in Logic Pro X—set a square wave, lower the filter cutoff, and adjust the attack for a slow swell.
Dive DeeperEffects & Processing
Effects
Effects like reverb, delay, and compression add depth. Reverb simulates space, delay repeats sounds, and compression evens out volume. In Logic Pro X, add Space Designer to a synth for a big room sound, then tweak the wet/dry mix.
Dive DeeperAdvanced Techniques
Sampling and layering take sound design further. Sampling turns real-world audio into playable instruments—record a clap, pitch it down, and loop it. Layering stacks sounds for richness—combine a deep bass with a sharp pluck. In Logic Pro X, use Quick Sampler for samples and stack two synth tracks to experiment.
Sampling
Sampling captures audio to manipulate. Record a sound (e.g., a door slam), load it into Logic Pro X’s Quick Sampler, and adjust pitch or loop points to create a drum hit.
Dive DeeperLayering
Layering blends multiple sounds—like a pad and a lead—for texture. In Logic Pro X, create two tracks: one with Alchemy’s warm pad, another with ES2’s bright pluck, and adjust volumes to balance.
Dive Deeper