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Learning Synths

learningsynths.ableton.com

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Re: Learning Synths

#11

Post by tnolet »

realshowbiz wrote: post #4

Possibly unpopular opinion, but IMO to learn a synth it’s best to start with a simple physical subtractive monosynth. Software synths are often built to model popular hardware instruments in both sound and interface. So learning the basic concepts on a “real” subtractive synth builds a foundation to learn more. Plus a physical synth is far less distracting than a multitasking device. I find it much easier to create,…

yes, a Minimoog or something similar in character just teaches you the most about signal path and modifiers like ADSR and LFO's.

Re: Learning Synths

#12

Post by bashwizard »

flycaliguy wrote: post #10
realshowbiz wrote: post #4

Possibly unpopular opinion, but IMO to learn a synth it’s best to start with a simple physical subtractive monosynth. Software synths are often built to model popular hardware instruments in both sound and interface. So learning the basic concepts on a “real” subtractive synth builds a foundation to learn more. Plus a physical synth is far less distracting than a multitasking device. I find it much easier to create,…

Absolutely. There is such a wide variety of cheap analog monosynths, it’s definitely the way to go. For me, the knobs are the most important part. It’s an expressive medium after all, you need to feel the movement.

I don't know about that.

I've sold off an Elektron Analog Four, Elektron Analog Rytm, Elektron Octatrack and an Access Virus Ti 2 less than a year ago and started working exclusivley in the box and using two ableton push 2 as midi controllers and I honestly do not miss my hardware at all.

Sure I lose out on some of that analog warmth but I've come pretty close by emulating it with various VSTs.

Re: Learning Synths

#13

Post by comboy »

omer_balyali wrote: post #9
bbx wrote: post #5

The best resource I've ever seen for learning synthesis is Syntorial: https://www.syntorial.com/ It teaches you step by step all the aspects of a synth engine: oscillators, wave shapes, amplitude, filters, modulation, unison, FM… But most of all it trains your ear, which allows you to replicate the sound in your head and build it from scratch.

Syntorial is a charm, definitely the best resource to develop your ear. There are possibly waay extensive resources like books, but as the nature of the medium it's good for getting information, but for practice and developing the ear, Syntorial is #1.

It's a different thing but I've had some fun with https://tonedear.com/ training my imperfect pitch.

Re: Learning Synths

#14

Post by TheOtherHobbes »

jesuslop wrote: post #7

Not directly related, but do you know of recent achievements with a wow factor in the physical modelling synthesis field [1]? Just as some offline rendered 3d scenes are amazing, It'd be nice to have a pure virtual instrument with its string and resonance chamber model, inter-string effects, plucking mechanism, and so on. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_modelling_synthesis

Physical modelling peaked in 1993 with the Yamaha VL1 - which was an amazing synth that crashed right into the uncanny valley between sampling and real instruments.

PM is a complete nightmare to program - even harder than FM. Which was why the VL1 was a preset-only machine. The full programmimng system was never made public.

There are some modern remakes in the box, especially from TAS, but IMO they don't sound as impressive.

The appeal of analog isn't just the sound, it's the conceptual simplicity. Ditto for sampling. Almost anyone with an average-ish IQ can understand the basics.

There are plenty of alternative synthesis techniques, but they're not popular because most people find they're too much effort for too little reward.

PM, modal, spectral, and straight additive can all make some very wild sounds, but - ironically - they don't sound like most people's idea of a synthesizer, so they're used much less often, and usually only by people who are hardcore sound programming nerds.

Re: Learning Synths

#15

Post by louthy »

realshowbiz wrote: post #4

Possibly unpopular opinion, but IMO to learn a synth it’s best to start with a simple physical subtractive monosynth. Software synths are often built to model popular hardware instruments in both sound and interface. So learning the basic concepts on a “real” subtractive synth builds a foundation to learn more. Plus a physical synth is far less distracting than a multitasking device. I find it much easier to create,…

Or go modular. Just be prepared to remortgage your house a year later. Seriously addictive

[1] https://imgur.com/a/chegsO5 (my setup)

Re: Learning Synths

#17

Post by NikolaNovak »

Question: All of "learn synths" tutorials I've managed to dig up are really "sound creation" tutorials.

I have not found a good tutorial or paid online class on how to _play_ synths. Is taking a traditional piano course the best way to do so? Observationally, the play style seems quite different, even if some basics are the same. Most practically, I see synths typically played with right hand, left hand is on the modulator or knobs.

Basically, I'm finding it hard to find resources on how to play and make the most out of your synth (as opposed to piano), once you have dialed in the sound you want...

Re: Learning Synths

#18

Post by flycaliguy »

bashwizard wrote: post #12
flycaliguy wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Absolutely. There is such a wide variety of cheap analog monosynths, it’s definitely the way to go. For me, the knobs are the most important part. It’s an expressive medium after all, you need to feel the movement.

I don't know about that. I've sold off an Elektron Analog Four, Elektron Analog Rytm, Elektron Octatrack and an Access Virus Ti 2 less than a year ago and started working exclusivley in the box and using two ableton push 2 as midi controllers and I honestly do not miss my hardware at all. Sure I lose out on some of that analog warmth but I've come pretty close by emulating it with various VSTs.

I was speaking more to learning synths, learning how oscillators sound during detuning, feeling a filter sweep. Feeling out what each step of the subtractive process does with knobs, I would suggest, is a better way to learn.

Those are some pricey synths you’ve rocked, not really a learner’s set-up, especially the Elektron sequencer.

For me, the ms-20 and the feel of tweaking those knobs is what made the feel of really playing a synth come together. Jamming with a friend on drums.

These days, yeah, I actually do most my noodling using the IOS Korg Gadget with my analog keys as a controller/filter bank.

Re: Learning Synths

#20

Post by louthy »

bashwizard wrote: post #12
flycaliguy wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Absolutely. There is such a wide variety of cheap analog monosynths, it’s definitely the way to go. For me, the knobs are the most important part. It’s an expressive medium after all, you need to feel the movement.

I don't know about that. I've sold off an Elektron Analog Four, Elektron Analog Rytm, Elektron Octatrack and an Access Virus Ti 2 less than a year ago and started working exclusivley in the box and using two ableton push 2 as midi controllers and I honestly do not miss my hardware at all. Sure I lose out on some of that analog warmth but I've come pretty close by emulating it with various VSTs.

Elektron have possibly to worst user interfaces of any hardware synths or drum machines that I've used. So much menu diving. I ended up selling my Elektron stuff and will never buy from them again. Most other hardware is much more intuitive and interactive.
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