An easy trick Bicep uses to make their sounds more epic

An easy trick Bicep uses to make their sounds more epic

Bicep's Apricots Synthesizer Sound Design Tip

In this video, the presenter shares a simple trick used in Bicep's synthesizer sound design for their song "Apricots". The trick involves manipulating the envelopes of the sound to create tension and release during a break.

Envelope Manipulation

  • Envelopes shape how filters and amplifiers work in subtractive synthesis.
  • Adding attack to an envelope creates a softer start to the sound.
  • During a break, increasing filter cutoff, decay, release time, delay and reverb can create tension and release.
  • Bicep raises sustain to max and adds long release time instead of increasing decay length for tension and release during a break.
  • This manipulation turns the once snappy pluck into a long washed-out splash of synth.

Conclusion

  • Manipulating envelopes can take small elements from being really small to really large.