Before you go any further, check out our step-by-step guide for creating this stab sound on our YouTube channel, especially if you prefer a more visual learning experience! This video will walk you through each stage of crafting this sound in U-He Diva, making it easier to follow along and apply these techniques directly to your own projects.
Introduction
Stab sounds are a cornerstone of many music genres, providing rhythmic and harmonic punctuation that adds energy and movement to your tracks. Whether you’re working on a techno banger, a deep house groove, or an epic cinematic score, a well-crafted stab can make all the difference. U-He Diva, with its exceptional analog modeling and versatile sound design capabilities, is an excellent tool for creating powerful stabs. In this step by step guide, we’ll walk you through the process of designing a robust stab sound.
Step 1: Start with an Initial Preset
Begin by loading an initial preset in U-He Diva. This will give you a clean slate to start from, ensuring that no previous settings interfere with the sound you’re about to create.
Step 2: Envelope Configuration
Stabs rely heavily on envelope shaping to create their signature punchy sound. For this, we’ll focus on both the amplitude and filter envelopes.
Envelope Mode: Switch both envelopes (Envelope 1 and Envelope 2) to “Analogue” mode. This mode emulates the smooth, natural behavior of classic analog envelopes, which is perfect for creating a warm and responsive stab.
Envelope 1 Settings
Set the Attack, Sustain, and Release controls to zero. This will ensure that the sound hits immediately and cuts off sharply.
Set the Decay to a short value of 30.50. This short decay gives the stab its characteristic punch, allowing it to snap back quickly after the initial attack.
Filter Cutoff Configuration
Flip the Cutoff Slope Switch to engage a more gentle slope. Adjust the Cutoff knob to 78.50. This will set the initial brightness of the stab.
Envelope 2 Settings
Configure Envelope 2 similarly to Envelope 1, with a Decay of 34.00. This envelope will control the filter, adding dynamic movement to the sound as it decays.
Envelope 2 Control
Adjust the Envelope 2 control to 26.00. This setting will determine how much the filter envelope influences the cutoff frequency, adding depth and movement to the sound.
Assign the Mod Wheel control to the Cutoff parameter in the VCF section, with a value of 48.00. This allows for real-time modulation of the cutoff, adding expressive control over the stab’s tonal characteristics with your Mod Wheel.
Keyboard Tracking and FM
Add a bit of Keyboard Follow to the Cutoff at 35.50. This ensures that the filter opens slightly more for higher notes, keeping the stab brighter on higher pitched notes.
Max out the FM parameter at 24.00 to give this stab a richer, more textured sound.
Step 3: Oscillator Section Configuration
Next, we’ll shape the core tone of the stab using Diva’s powerful VCO section.
VCO 1: Set to octave range 4 with a pulse wave shape. This will form the body of the stab, providing a solid and punchy foundation.
VCO 2: Set to octave range 8 with a saw wave shape. The saw wave adds brightness and aggression, helping the stab cut through the mix.
VCO 3: Set to octave range 2 with a reverse saw wave shape. This setting introduces a unique high end that enriches the overall sound.
Mixer Section
Lower the volume of VCO 3 to 41.00. This balances the mix, ensuring the reverse saw doesn’t overpower the other oscillators.Add a bit of Feedback at 17.50. Feedback will add a little bit more low end to the sound. Introduce some Pink Noise at 11.50. The noise will add a gritty, analog edge to the sound, making it feel more alive and textured.
Step 4: Adding Effects
With the core sound shaped, let’s enhance it with some effects.
Rotary Effect
Set the Balance all the way to the right. This boosts the rotary bass speaker. Set both Mix and Drive at fifty percent. The mix controls the effect’s intensity, while drive adds warmth and saturation to the sound, perfect for a classic stab.
Control Assignment
Change the Controller to be affected by an unassigned control, such as Control A. This ensures that the Rotary is not controlled by any controller - it stays static.
Reverb: Add reverb to taste. A small room or plate reverb works well for stabs, adding depth without drowning out the sharp, percussive quality of the sound.
Step 5: Additional Enhancements
If you’re looking to make your stab bit more interesting, consider these additional settings:
Pan Modulation: Set up the Pan Mod to slightly alternate each consecutive note between the left and right channels. This creates a subtle stereo effect, making the stab sound more dynamic and engaging within the mix.
By following these steps, you can craft a powerful, dynamic stab sound using U-He Diva. Each element of this setup contributes to a sound that’s both punchy and rich in character. This stab can add the perfect amount of impact and texture to your productions. So, start tweaking, and let your creativity take the lead. Remember to trust your ears and try to play with settings to create your own sounds!
If you really like this stab sound and you don’t feel like going through all the steps yourself, you can simply download the preset for FREE. Just click the button below!
If you enjoyed this article and want more tips for U-He Diva, be sure to check out this guide 5 Useful Tips for the U-he Diva VST Plugin
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