Lush Pad

Create rich, evolving pad sounds with multiple oscillators, modulation, and effects.

The lush pad patch

Overview

Pads are sustained, atmospheric sounds that fill space and create ambience. This recipe combines detuned oscillators, slow modulation, and effects to create a rich, evolving pad sound.

Character: Warm, wide, evolving, dreamy Good for: Ambient, cinematic, chillout, background textures

Modules Used

• 2x Oscillator
• 1x Mixer
• 1x SVF Filter
• 1x VCA
• 1x ADSR Envelope
• 2x LFO
• 1x Chorus
• 1x Reverb
• 1x Keyboard Input
• 1x Audio Output

Patch Diagram

┌──────────┐
│ Keyboard │─V/Oct─┬─▶ [Osc 1 (Saw)]──┐
│          │       │                   ├─▶[Mixer]─▶[Filter]─▶[VCA]─▶[Chorus]─▶[Reverb]─▶[Out]
└────┬─────┘       └─▶ [Osc 2 (Saw)]──┘      ▲              ▲
     │                  (+7 cents)           │              │
     │ Gate                                  │              │
     └──────────────────────────────────────▶│◀────[ADSR]───┘
                                             │
                                        [LFO 1]
                                       (slow)

[LFO 2] ─────────────────────────────▶ [Osc 1 PWM]
(very slow)                           [Osc 2 PWM]

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Dual Detuned Oscillators

The foundation of a thick pad is detuned oscillators:

Oscillator 1:

• Waveform: Saw (or Square for PWM)
• Detune: 0 cents (reference)

Oscillator 2:

• Waveform: Saw (or Square for PWM)
• Detune: +7 cents (slight detune for thickness)

Connect both to the Mixer:

[Osc 1 Audio] ──▶ [Mixer Ch 1]
[Osc 2 Audio] ──▶ [Mixer Ch 2]

Both should track the keyboard:

[Keyboard V/Oct] ──▶ [Osc 1 V/Oct]
                 ──▶ [Osc 2 V/Oct]

2. Signal Path

[Mixer Out] ──▶ [Filter Input]
[Filter Lowpass] ──▶ [VCA Input]
[VCA Output] ──▶ [Chorus Input]
[Chorus Output] ──▶ [Reverb Input]
[Reverb Output] ──▶ [Audio Output]

3. Slow Attack Envelope

Pads have gentle attacks:

[Keyboard Gate] ──▶ [ADSR Gate]
[ADSR Env] ──▶ [VCA CV]

ADSR Settings:

4. Filter for Warmth

Filter Settings:

• Cutoff: 3000 Hz (removes harshness)
• Resonance: 0.15 (subtle color)

5. Slow Filter Modulation

Add movement with LFO:

[LFO 1] ──▶ [Filter Cutoff CV]

LFO 1 Settings:

Filter CV Amount: 0.2 (subtle movement)

6. PWM for Animation (Optional)

If using Square waves, add PWM:

[LFO 2] ──▶ [Osc 1 PWM]
        ──▶ [Osc 2 PWM]

LFO 2 Settings:

7. Chorus for Width

Chorus Settings:

8. Reverb for Space

Reverb Settings:

Final Module Settings Summary

Variations

Darker Pad

Filter Cutoff: 1500 Hz
Reverb Damping: 0.6
LFO 1 Rate: 0.05 Hz (slower)

Brighter Pad

Filter Cutoff: 5000 Hz
Osc Waveforms: Saw
Add subtle high-shelf EQ boost

Evolving Pad

Add LFO 3 ──▶ Osc 2 Detune (very slow, very subtle)
LFO 1 Rate: 0.03 Hz (extremely slow)
Reverb Decay: 8s

Sparse Pad

Attack: 2000 ms
Reverb Mix: 0.7
Filter Cutoff: 2000 Hz
Remove Chorus

Thick Supersaw

Add Osc 3 (Detune: -5c)
Add Osc 4 (Detune: +12c)
Chorus Voices: 4
Reduce Reverb Mix: 0.3

Enhancement Ideas

Add Sub Oscillator

For weight:

[Osc 3 (Sine, -1 octave)] ──▶ [Mixer Ch 3] (low level)

Velocity Expression

[Keyboard Velocity] ──▶ [Filter Cutoff CV]

Harder playing = brighter pad.

Modulated Reverb

[LFO (very slow)] ──▶ [Reverb Decay CV]

Space itself evolves.

Stereo Detuning

Pan oscillators slightly:

Osc 1: Slight left
Osc 2: Slight right

Playing Tips

1. Hold chords: Pads are meant to sustain
2. Use release: Let notes fade naturally
3. Layer with other sounds: Pads provide background
4. Play simply: Complex melodies don't suit pads
5. Use inversions: Voice chords to avoid bass clutter

Troubleshooting

Too thin: Add more oscillators, increase detune

Too bright: Lower filter cutoff

Too static: Add more LFO modulation

Too muddy: Raise filter cutoff, reduce reverb

Doesn't cut through: Reduce reverb mix, raise filter

What You've Learned

• Detuned oscillators for thickness
• Slow envelopes for pad character
• LFO modulation for movement
• Effects layering for space and width
• Balancing multiple modulation sources