Subtractor Polyphonic Synthesizer
Subtractor is an analog type polyphonic synthesizer based on subtractive synthesis, the method used in classic, analog synthesizers. This close-up will reveal the details of the Subtractor.
For a detailed description of all the parts of Subtractor, click on the image above.
The Basics
Similar in layout of the analog flagships of the early 80s, the Subtractor is an easy way to create anything from warm pads to rumbling bass. It's two oscillators can produce well known basic waveforms like square, sawtooth, triangle and sine plus an additional waveforms based on samples.
The layout is simple to grasp with all the controls conveniently visible on the panel, but there is still no lack of possibilities. With dual filters, three envelope generators and two LFOs, the Subtractor can produce just about any sound you want it to.
All the Subtractor's parameters are fully automatable, meaning that it's easy to record and edit any parameter changes on the Subtractor.
More Devices
Phase Offset Modulation
A unique feature of the Subtractor Synthesizer is the oscillator phase offset. By using this feature you can create complex waveforms by subtracting or multiplying a waveform with a phase offset copy of it self. Did that sound like gibberish? Well, let's take a look at how it works.
Each oscillator has it's own phase offset setting and selector for waveform subtraction, multiplication or no phase offset modulation. When activated, the oscillator creates a second waveform of the same shape and offsets it to the amount set with the Phase knob and then subtracts or multiplies the two waveforms with each other. The resulting waveform can be seen in the image to the right.
In example one, we see two sawtooth waves with some offset. Example two shows the resulting pulse wave when subtracting one wave from the other. Example three shows the resulting waveform when multiplying the offset waves with each other.
Using phase offset modulation can create very rich and varied timbres, especially when used along with LFO or Envelopes to modulate the phase offset.
Audio examples - Phase Offset Modulation
Pulse Width Pad
A pad first played 'dry' and then with Phase offset Modulation to create a pulse with modulation effect.
Phase Offset Bass
Phase offset to fatten and distort the bass sound. No distortion or external effects used.
Phase Offset Arpeggio
Another effect using the phase offset modulation. This loop is first played without modulation and then with the Phase Offset added
Dual Filters
Reason's combination of a multimode filter and a second lowpass filter can be used to create some very powerful formant-like effects. The audio example below was made using just the Subtractor synth and two Matrix pattern sequencers (also part of Reason). No samples!
Polyphony
Subtractor can play 32 voices simultaneously. Need more voices? Add another Subtractor! The instruments can play as many voices as your computer can handle. Reason's legendary CPU-friendly code means you can get a lot done without a monster computer.
Audio examples - Dual Filters
Reason says Reason