Enrich Your Mix With a Huge Pad Sound

The word "Pad" can refer to many things in the studio. From pads on your MIDI controller to drum machine buttons. It is a fact that the synthesizer Pad Sound has been a necessary element of various music genres since the birth of synthesizers 4+ decades ago. Typically set with higher sustain and release parameters, pad sounds can boost the stereo width. Being positioned in front or way back in the track mix, they have colored many great records. In the following tutorial, I will try to demonstrate a few different uses for pad sounds and other effects, making it even more refreshing and exciting.  

Let's Get Started

So, without further delay, here is the track I have previously made with an acoustic guitar accompanied by a bass and some rhythmic elements. This chilled, downbeat pattern has just enough space for pad sound.

~ Down Tempo Beat 1 Without Pad Sound  

Creating Huge Pads

The next step would be to open a new instrument channel to create a big pad sound. In this case, I will choose a VST synthesizer called Spire by Reveal Sound. I find this one particularly useful since it possesses smooth-sounding filters as well as multiple oscillators. After writing some chords for the pad sound and setting up the filter and first oscillator, let us hear the results:

~ Pad Sound Clean

It may not sound extraordinary, but stay with me because I have just started.  

Pad Sound Testing

Using multiple oscillators and slightly detuning and panning them is a key for a big pad. Moreover, I will additionally process the sound with built-in reverb, chorus, and delay and finally automate the filter cutoff parameter to introduce an evolving feeling.

Let us hear how it sounds together with other elements in the mix.

~ Full Mix With the Pad Sound

In addition to the previously mentioned, another interesting thing to do would be to apply a built-in rhythmic gate effect on the pad sound found within Spire. In my opinion, it always sounds nice, but you have to be the judge of that.

~ Full Mix with Gated Pad Sound

Try experimenting and have fun creating Huge Pad sounds!