Tricks for the Dreadbox Nyx - Synched Oscillators

Published on Mar 17, 2018 ProckGnosis

Playlist:

1. Tricks for the Dreadbox Nyx - Pulse-Width Modulation

"Yeah, it's not so much a trick, as it is a mini-tutorial on how to patch Mod 2 to modulate the pulse-width on oscillator 1. Skip to 03:00 to jump the explanation.

The Dreadbox Nyx can be a bit intimidating and take a little time to figure things out, so I thought I'd throw this out to assist folks with a starting point at least. I would suggest going back to my previous "Dreadbox Nyx Routing Examples" video as well to help get a better understanding of the synth layout as a whole.

The Nyx is still probably my favorite "less-than-a-$1000" mono synth right now (with the Korg ARP Odyssey being a close second). I know I'm a broken record on this, but it bears repeating. This is a uniquely designed and unique sounding synth in the field of "a lot of the same" analog monosynths, and fun as hell to play with once you get your head around it a bit."

2. Tricks for the Dreadbox Nyx - Synched Oscillators

"And here's Nyx "Trick #2" or a mini-tutorial on how to synchronize Osc 2 to Osc 1 and use Mod 2 to enhance the effect. Jump to 01:30 to skip the intro.

For a much more thorough explanation on how synchronizing oscillators works, check out:
"Murmux Semi-Modular - Tidbits and Tips for Creating a Good Synched Oscillator Patch" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH-bD...)

Though I love a good synched oscillator patch, I would have to say this sounds best towards the end of the video, where I've mixed in the remaining saw wave (Osc 1), and used Mod 1 as a little AD envelope to modulate the filter.

Another point not mentioned in the video is I could have used the Modulator II "LVL" setting to also alter the amount of the Mod 2. It is actually additive to the amount of the "M2" value set by the "Depth" trim knob.

Lastly, this is only an example/tutorial of the most common way to get a standard, synched-oscillator sound (IMO). The Nyx being semi-modular gives you LOTS of other options and ways to produce and screw around with the synched sounds. The Nyx routings could be set to let Mod 2 modulate the HP or LP filter while it's also modulating the Osc 2 pitch."

3. Tricks for the Dreadbox Nyx - Making an ADSR Envelope

"And here's Nyx 'Trick #3' or "some info how to create an ADSR or 4 or 5 stage envelope using MOD 1 and MOD 2." If you like math, but are newer to synths, I would watch "Part 2" at 07:07 first and THEN go back to Part 1 at 02:14.

Part 1 - The Examples (02:14)
Part 2 - The ADSR Academics (07:07)

This is likely my last "Tricks for the Nyx" video for a while. The video is split into 2 parts: part 1 gives a worked through example of setting up a 4 or 5 stage envelope, and part 2 gets a bit more basic (the academic part), explaining how envelopes are usually shaped and how different envelopes can be shaped on the Nyx by adding the smaller MOD 1 and MOD 2 envelopes together.

I'm probably turning off some newbs by showing how the Nyx is a bit more complicated than most normal synths, but for me, that's a large part of what makes it cool. If you're a newb and you bought a Nyx, be patient...it is WORTH the investment of time to learn. Cheers!"