Guide to Creating Shepard Tones

Aug 21, 2024

Making and Creatively Using Shepard Tones

Introduction

  • Tutorial on creating Shepard Tones and infinitely rising effects.
  • Tool used: Native Instruments Form
    • Quick access to LFOs and envelopes.
    • Great for transforming simple samples into Shepard Tones.

Principle of Shepard Tones

  • Goal: Create tones that rise in pitch and volume.
    • Start at low pitch and quiet volume.
    • Rise over an octave, then gradually decrease volume to zero.
  • Trigger multiple sounds in different octaves sequentially for a continuous rising effect.

Initial Setup

  • Load a simple sine wave sample from the supplied collection.
  • Set playback to looping for a smooth loop.
  • Use a suitable motion preset.

Automating the Pitch

  1. Assign Pitch Control:
    • Change pitch control from pitch bend wheel to LFO 1.
    • Set intensity to maximum.
  2. LFO Shape:
    • Change to triangle shape for linear pitch rise.
    • Skew the shape for constant rise before resetting.
  3. Phase Adjustment:
    • Adjust the phase dial to restart pitch from the lowest point.
  4. LFO Speed:
    • Set speed to 16 bars for a slow pitch rise.

Fading Sound In and Out

  • Use LFO 2 for volume control:
    • Choose shape, adjust phase and speed for natural volume curve.
    • Assign LFO 2 to the form OSC amplitude dial and set intensity to maximum.

Creating the Shepard Tone

  • Stack several sounds together to create a Shepard tone effect.
  • Program the DAW to trigger every 8 bars for the desired effect.
  • Change tempo to fast for previewing changes.
  • Adjust envelope for a long release tail post key release.
  • Adjust attack to eliminate artifacts in sound.

Advanced Techniques

  • Change sine wave to more complex samples (e.g., orchestral).
  • Adjust sample sync speed and curve presets for movement.
  • Add a second oscillator (e.g., an octave below) for weight.
  • Enhance sound with delay, reverb, and warmth effects.

Conclusion

  • Basics of Shepard tone programming covered.
  • Form offers extensive routing, LFOs, and envelope options.
  • Explore more on the Native Instruments website for additional details.

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