How to use Operator synth

Master Ableton Live's Operator FM synthesizer to create rich, complex sounds from scratch.

MIDI & Instruments · intermediate level

Steps

  1. Load Operator on a MIDI track

    Open the Browser, navigate to Instruments > Operator, and drag it onto an empty MIDI track.

  2. Understand the four oscillators

    Operator has four oscillators (A, B, C, D) that can modulate each other. Click each letter tab to edit individual oscillator settings.

  3. Choose an algorithm

    Click the Algorithm selector at the bottom-right to choose how oscillators interact. Algorithms on the left are more harmonic, those on the right more complex.

  4. Shape the sound with envelopes

    Each oscillator has its own envelope. Adjust Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release by clicking and dragging the envelope display.

  5. Add filter and LFO

    Click the Filter tab to add filtering, and the LFO tab to add modulation. Route the LFO to pitch, filter, or amplitude for movement.

More Ableton Live tutorials