DAD 222
Audio Production I

Recreate That Sound: Synthesis Ear Training with Vital

DAD 222 — Fall 2026

You’ll hear several short synthesized sounds and rebuild each one in Vital, by ear. The skill being trained: hearing a sound and working out its waveform, filter, envelopes, and modulation. 50 minutes, four rounds.

Setup (5 minutes)

  1. Open Vital with a blank/default patch.
  2. Have your DAW ready to save patches.
  3. Keep notes on your synthesis choices as you go.

Round 1 – Bright Filtered Lead (10 minutes)

Concept: Filter envelope modulation in subtractive synthesis.
Listen:

Your task:

  • Identify the waveform shape (saw, square, etc.)
  • Notice how the brightness changes over time — is there a filter sweep?
  • Recreate the sound using one or two oscillators, a low-pass filter, and an envelope.
  • Adjust resonance and cutoff movement until it feels close.

Guiding questions:

  • What kind of attack and decay does the sound have?
  • Is it wide or mono?
  • How bright or dull is it compared to your patch?

Round 2 – Modulated Bass (10 minutes)

Concept: Using LFOs to create rhythmic movement.
Listen:

Your task:

  • Identify the modulation pattern. How often does the filter open and close?
  • What type of waveform might produce the core tone?
  • Recreate the sound using an oscillator, a sub oscillator, and an LFO controlling the filter.
  • Try syncing the LFO to your DAW tempo.

Guiding questions:

  • Is the modulation shape smooth or choppy?
  • How heavy is the low end?
  • How much distortion or drive is in the tone?

Round 3 – Evolving Pad (10 minutes)

Concept: Slow modulation and layering for depth.
Listen:

Your task:

  • Identify how many layers or oscillators you hear.
  • What kind of motion happens over time — subtle filter movement? pitch drift?
  • Recreate the pad using at least two oscillators, some detuning, and slow modulation.
  • Add space with chorus, delay, or reverb.

Guiding questions:

  • How does stereo width affect the sound?
  • What kind of envelope controls the amplitude?
  • How fast or slow is the modulation cycle?

Bonus Round – Percussive Pluck (5 minutes)

Concept: Short envelopes and transient shaping.
Listen:

Your task:

  • Focus on the attack and decay — it’s quick and bright.
  • Try using a fast envelope on both amplitude and filter cutoff.
  • Experiment with morphing waveforms or using FM for extra brightness.

Guiding questions:

  • Is the pluck pure or complex?
  • How does reverb change the spatial feel?
  • Does it sound more like a string, bell, or synth pluck?

Reflection and Discussion (10 minutes)

  1. Play your patches for classmates.
  2. Which parameters mattered most for getting close?
  3. Share one strategy that helped you home in on the target.