Lucent's Guide to Online Sequencer - Using 8-bit Instruments

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Lucent's Guide to Online Sequencer

Using 8-bit Instruments

Preface

8-bit Instruments are known for being more versatile than other instruments. Their audio is rendered directly on your device, as opposed to being pre-recorded samples. This means that 8-bit notes can be played indefinitely when they are extended. Aside from their novelty to emulate old gaming music, this property can be skillfully used in other types of music and makes for good accompaniment.

Special thanks to Syntax, Tibbinator, CaptainPresto, Guest, and Vladimirr for proofreading and lending me resources for this section.

Special Properties of 8-bits

OS users typically separate 8-bits into “dull bits” and “sharp bits”.

Often times, an 8-bit instrument can be used interchangeably with its counterpart instrument in the same group.

However, because all four instruments are unique in their own way, this section will elaborate further on their specific qualities.

Dull Bits

Triangle

The most versatile 8-bit for melodic leads, connects pseudo-sustained instruments well and provides great synergy when stacked with other instruments
Very good clarity as a standalone instrument
Also works great for supporting roles

Sine

The most quiet of all the 8-bits, can be problematic to hear under a certain range
Cute bloopy sounds when used in high registers, excellent supporting bass at lower registers
Can be used as a replacement for bass in some instances
Triangle's "muted" counterpart

Sharp Bits

Sawtooth

The sharpest 8-bit instrument
Lack of a mid-register bass frequency allows it to highlight specific areas in a chord
Serves a situational role for synergy
Generally used in either high or mid registers

Square

The most noticeable 8-bit, use carefully
Mid-register bass frequency can be used to accompany bass roles in a sequence
Provides strong low-mid register lead and synergizes well with some instruments such as Electric Guitar

Applying 8-Bit Timbre

You can precisely place different 8-bits to create a certain kind of buildup in your chords.

For this sequence, I'm making use of Sawtooth's ability to highlight notes in my chords. Starting from measure 9, you can see how slowly adding more Sawtooth builds better tension—as opposed to leaving synths in the same formation.

Note: With the EQ update (12/5/2020), you can further customize the sound qualities of every 8-bit instrument. You can learn more about EQ in its respective article here.

Making Interesting Leads with 8-bit

Because 8-bits are the only instruments with true sustain, you have more liberty in expressing specific melodies!

Not only can you use longer notes, you can use shorter notes to portray artistic decisions.

Please follow this tutorial from Syntax, as he explains his techniques in-depth through the comments.

Creating an Initial Pitch Bend and Vibrato

You can create an initial pitch bend by copy-pasting a chord, transposing it one key down and shortening it so that you can barely hear it as a full note. The same logic applies to making mid-chord vibrato, and works rather decently.

Keep in mind that this technique does not constitute as "true pitch bending", nonetheless, there isn't anything wrong with knowing more tricks that are inspired from it.

Like most things in life, it's best to use this technique in moderation. You can listen to the image on the right here.

Note: Detune (Pitch Bending) has been added in the 4/25/21 update. For convenience sake, you can continue to use this method to draft out pitch bending sections. For more information on how to use markers to detune instruments in your sequence, feel free to visit the Marker tutorial here.

Phase Cancellation with Sine

This technique may be a little more situational and works better with certain genres of music than others.

However, the idea is simple in that you put two sine notes together at a low register. Due to complicated audio phenomena, this will cause a wobble effect that can be used for atmospheric purposes.

Observe how it works in the example sequence to the right (by Guest) and see what fits best for you.

Additional References

Here are some sequences that I've selected as creative references for you to take inspiration from. Please visit these artists' profiles and listen to their other songs too!

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