sound-designerlisted
Install: claude install-skill glincker/ableton-skills
# Sound Designer
Build synth patches from a description. Stock Ableton synths only — Operator (FM), Wavetable (wavetable + FM), Analog (subtractive), Drift (modern subtractive). User can swap to a third-party synth manually after.
## Workflow
### 1. Pick the right synth
| Sound type | Best synth | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sub bass, 808 | **Operator** (sine + saturation) or Drift | Pure low end, easy to control |
| Reese / Massive bass | **Wavetable** | Detuned saws + filter movement |
| Pluck / staccato | **Operator** | Fast envelopes, FM bite |
| Wide supersaw | **Wavetable** (saw table, unison 7+) | Native unison + detune |
| Lush pad | **Wavetable** (LP filter + slow envelopes) | Movement + filter LFO |
| Acoustic-y / felt | **Drift** + tape simulation | Warm character |
| Vintage analog lead | **Analog** | Authentic voicing |
| Bell / mallet | **Operator** (FM ratios) | Inharmonic partials |
### 2. Set base parameters
For each patch type, here's the starting point:
#### Sub bass (Operator)
- Algorithm: A only (single sine)
- Osc A: Sine, level 0 dB
- Filter: off
- Amp env: Attack 0, Decay 0, Sustain 1.0, Release 0.1
- Glide: 50ms (mono mode)
#### Wide supersaw (Wavetable)
- Osc 1: Saw 1 wavetable
- Unison: 7 voices, detune 25-35
- Filter 1: LP24, cutoff 80%, resonance 15%, env 30%
- Filter env: Attack 0, Decay 400ms, Sustain 50%, Release 200ms
- Amp env: A 5ms, D 200ms, S 80%, R 300ms
#### Lush pad (Wavetable)
- Osc 1: Choir/Vocal wavetable
- Osc 2: Saw, detun