Ring Modulation

Ring mod differs from the LFO’s and envelope generators in that it doesn’t modulate
parameters such as pitch, filter cutoff, pulse width, etc. Rather, ring mod is an amplitude-
based sound-sculpting tool, which is used to create brash, metallic sounds. When pushed to
the extreme, ring mod can be dissonant and harsh, and you may find it challenging to employ
in a musical context. However, with the right settings, ring mod can create awesome textural
patches that add excitement to your sonic creations. In this article, we’ll build four sounds
using ring mod as our primary sound-design tool; but, before we dig into that, let’s first
answer the question, “How does ring modulation work?”

How Does Ring Modulation Work?

https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/a-simple-guide-to-modulation-ring-mod/

For years, I thought the name “ring modulation” referred to the ringing tones that the effect
produced. But, on my personal quest to wrap my mind around synthesis, I quickly discovered
that it, in fact, refers to the ring-like shape of the diode circuit used to create a ring modulator.
It’s just a happy coincidence that this diode ring also happens to create ringing, metallic
sounds!

So, what is ring mod? Essentially, it’s an audio mixer that combines two signals and outputs
their sum and difference while subtracting the original frequencies. As an example, if you
send one 100Hz sine wave and one 400Hz sine wave to a ring mod, then it will output two
frequencies: the difference signal of 300Hz (400 minus 100) and the sum signal of 500Hz
(400 plus 100). When you apply ring mod to more harmonically rich waveforms, such as
sawtooth or pulse waves, it generates clangorous sounds due to the shifting and often
discordant harmonic relationships between frequencies.

Ring mod has had a presence in popular culture for nearly 70 years, from its heavy use on the
electronic score for the 1956 film Forbidden Planet to creating the voice of the Daleks on Dr.
Who. It was also a go-to effect for Deep Purple’s keyboardist Jon Lord and a favorite of
Chick Corea, who both used it to treat their electric keyboards and organs.

To best illustrate ring mod, we’re going to create four simple, ring mod–based patches from
scratch: a gritty organ, an accelerating-spaceship effect, a steel drum, and church bells.

For a deeper look into ring modulation, check out Synth Clips episode 21 — “Ring
Modulation” from Sweetwater’s synth guru Daniel Fisher.

Turn knobs as slowly as you can. Within all the chaos there are momentary slivers of beauty.
One of the things about ring modulation is finding that frequency that ring modulates in a
very pleasant way. As soon as you leave that note it probably won’t be pleasant – with the
exception of certain intervals. Octaves almost always work. Fifths usually work. Sometimes
major thirds, perfect fourths.

Verder kijken: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCPxe6P1KWo&t=865s

Amplitude modulation v ring modulation.

Ring modulation usually works best with simple waveforms.

Metallic Sounds in Omnisphere w/ Ring Mod

Sawtooth wave.

VCA envelope: no sustain. Decay around 500ms. Release around 260 ms. Release all the way
up.

Ring Mod on. Modulate the Ring Mod Depth with another envelope: no sustain, decay around
165 ms.

But of Reverb on FX.

Ring Mod to add movement to a pad

Add an LFO to one of the oscillators (preferably the high-end one). Add ring mod and
modulate the ring mod depth with an LFO. If you do this at a high rate you get a kind of
tremolo effect, but at a slow rate it gives you something unique, it adds movement and
character.

Heel cool bel-geluid met Ring Mod in AJH Synth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=_qXv5iDP4ug