More details of synth patches and how to get the best from them...

ROLAND JUPITER8 - 'Japanesque'

Wendy, Birmingham

An Oriental-style patch falling somewhere between conventional brass and string sounds in application. Most usable over the upper two thirds of the keyboard, it's best suited to slower chord progressions or the odd bit of lead work. Pitchbend can also be used to add expression if required.

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YAMAHA DX7 - 'Funk Bass'

Paul Wiffen, London

Freelance synth programmer and occasional E&MM author PW has put together a punchy bass guitar sound for the Yamaha's FM best-seller. It's ideally suited to sequenced parts and to complimenting a lower-pitched bass line - the latter is only necessary because real 'bottom' is still quite difficult to achieve on the DX, even for a man of this experience. Not surprisingly, the patch sounds at its best in the lowest second and third octaves of the keyboard, while harder key strikes and aftertouch introduce rapid vibrato.

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