Synth Cheat Sheet

Quick reference for synths used in Sonic Byte.

Primary Synths

:tb303

Character: Acid bass, squelchy, aggressive
Best for: Bass, acid lines

use_synth :tb303
play :d2,
  amp: 0.8,
  attack: 0.01,
  decay: 0.2,
  sustain: 0.1,
  release: 0.15,
  cutoff: 80,      # 60-100 typical
  res: 0.3,        # 0.2-0.5 typical
  wave: 0          # 0=saw, 1=square

:prophet

Character: Warm, fat, analog
Best for: Bass, leads, pads

use_synth :prophet
play :c4,
  amp: 0.5,
  attack: 0.05,
  decay: 0.2,
  sustain: 0.3,
  release: 0.4,
  cutoff: 85,
  res: 0.2

:dsaw

Character: Aggressive, wide, detuned
Best for: Bass layers, stabs, aggressive leads

use_synth :dsaw
play :d2,
  amp: 0.5,
  attack: 0.01,
  decay: 0.2,
  release: 0.15,
  cutoff: 85,
  detune: 0.2      # 0.1-0.3 typical

:sine

Character: Pure, clean, no harmonics
Best for: Sub bass layer

use_synth :sine
play :d1,          # Usually octave below main bass
  amp: 1,
  attack: 0.01,
  sustain: 0.3,
  release: 0.2

:pulse

Character: Hollow, rhythmic, retro
Best for: Arpeggios, rhythmic patterns

use_synth :pulse
play :d4,
  amp: 0.25,
  attack: 0.01,
  decay: 0.1,
  release: 0.1,
  cutoff: 100,
  pulse_width: 0.3  # 0.1-0.5 typical

:dark_ambience

Character: Atmospheric, eerie, evolving
Best for: Pads, texture layers

use_synth :dark_ambience
play :d3,
  amp: 0.35,
  attack: 1.5,
  sustain: 2.5,
  release: 3,
  cutoff: 75

:hollow

Character: Ethereal, breathy, haunting
Best for: Pads, high texture

use_synth :hollow
play :d4,
  amp: 0.25,
  attack: 0.3,
  decay: 0.5,
  sustain: 0.2,
  release: 0.8,
  cutoff: 90

:mod_saw / :mod_dsaw

Character: Modulated, moving, alarm-like
Best for: Hooks, alarm sounds, special effects

use_synth :mod_saw
play :g4,
  amp: 0.35,
  attack: 0,
  decay: 0.08,
  sustain: 0.04,
  release: 0.06,
  mod_phase: 0.15,  # Speed of modulation
  mod_range: 7,     # Depth of modulation
  cutoff: 110

Quick Comparison

Parameter Ranges

cutoff (Filter Frequency)

• 40-60: Very dark, muffled
• 60-75: Dark, subby
• 75-90: Balanced, present
• 90-110: Bright, cutting
• 110+: Very bright, harsh

res (Resonance)

• 0.1-0.2: Subtle color
• 0.3-0.4: Classic analog feel
• 0.5-0.6: Pronounced, acid-style
• 0.7+: Screaming (use carefully)

detune (for :dsaw)

• 0.05-0.1: Subtle thickening
• 0.15-0.25: Classic detuned sound
• 0.3+: Very wide, aggressive

Common Layering Combinations

Heavy Bass

:tb303 (character) + :sine (sub)

Warm Bass

:prophet (character) + :sine (sub)

Aggressive Bass

:dsaw (aggression) + :tb303 (grit) + :sine (sub)

Rich Lead

:prophet (main) + :saw (shimmer, octave up)

Dark Lead

:prophet (main) + :dark_ambience (texture)

Atmospheric Pad

:dark_ambience (body) + :hollow (high texture)