Help with lead sounds in FL Studio

[Selios]

Hello OCR

I'd like to make a saturated lead sound, something close to a lead guitar, with modulation capabilities, vibrato and pitch bend.

I've already tried several VSTi but i just can't make it sound nice, especially in the high range.

Is there a particular VST i could use?

What kind of synthesis suits best for this?

Thx

[Nase]

probably FM.

Do you have Sytrus? If yes, try the Electric 4 preset, turn the reverb off, make it monophonic, and run it through an ampsim (JCM900 for example).

In general, running all kinds of synth sounds through ampsims is a good idea, always adds a lot of 'guitar flavor'.

[Selios]

Yep, i've got Sytrus. Thanks for the tip!

Actually, I've already tried lots of things. I think the problem isn't really the sound ; the lead part i'm working on is pretty dull by itself, i'll try harmonizing a bit and changing the articulation.

Anyway, here's what i mostly use for lead sounds :

- saw oscillators

- 12 an 24dB lowpass filters (nice for modulation)

- a bit of distortion or overdrive (sounds better when applied only to mid and low frenquencies)

- flangers (fantastic to make the sound thinner, or wider, and add some expression)

- FM synthesis (yep, you were right, Nase), it helps making rich sounds without using distortion, which is useful when you want to play some chords (other than power chords).

- low cut filters

- oversampling, often necessary in the high range

-...

this is it, for now. Maybe i'll post some more stuff if i find anything interesting.