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Creative Use Of White Noise

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Whether we know it or not, we are all familiar with what White Noise sounds like. If we tune our FM radio to an unused channel frequency, then we are treated to a heavy dose of it. White Noise is a sound that contains every frequency within the range of human hearing (20Hz to 20kHz), combined together in equal amounts. Think of this as every imaginable tone that you can hear, all playing at the same time.

White Noise has many different functions within Music Production. It is often introduced in order to add energy to certain sections of a song, such as the Chorus. White Noise filter sweeps are also frequently used in dance music in order to signify track transitions, such as builds or break downs.

Through the creative use of Envelopes, Filters and Effects, we can shape White Noise in order to create different sonic textures. In the following video, Native Instruments Maschine tutor Will Kinsella shows us how to use White Noise to create a Snare Drum. The tutorial demonstrates how to do so using the Native Instruments Massive synth, however the same theory applies to any synthesizer that you will come across.

As you can see from the video, White Noise has many different creative applications. What are your favourite uses of White Noise? Please feel free to let us know in the Comment box below.

The above video was taken from the comprehensive 6 module Music Production in Maschine with Will Kinsella course for Sound Training Online. For more information regarding the online Music Production in Maschine with Will Kinsella course, please click here.

I hope you enjoyed this article and that it provided you with additional knowledge in relation to creatively using White Noise. Please feel free to leave any comments below, and make sure to follow Sound Training Online through our social media channels. Check out our YouTube channel for more video tutorials and course samples.