Part 82

Noise Sculpting: Percussion & Environments

Noise → filter → envelope = any non-pitched sound. Snare, hi-hat, wind, ocean: all built from the same three ingredients.

The Recipe

Three ingredients combine to produce virtually any non-pitched sound: a noise source (the raw material), a filter (carves a spectral shape), and an envelope (controls how the sound evolves over time). Different settings yield completely different results.

Percussion from Noise

A short bandpass burst of white noise produces a convincing snare rattle. Push the filter to highpass with a fast decay and you get a hi-hat. A very short filtered click with a tight bandpass makes a clap.

Environments from Noise

Stretch the envelope and the same technique produces environmental textures. A slow lowpass sweep on brown noise creates wind. Bandpass with gentle modulation becomes ocean surf. A constant pink noise floor is room tone.

Try it: hit Trigger to fire the envelope. Start with "Snare rattle" then try "Wind" for a slow environmental sweep.

Preset
Source
Filter
Amp Env
Filter Env
Output waveform