61–70 of 175 posts
If you have an interest in synths, you owe it to yourself to read Synth Secrets by Gordon Reid. Published in 63 parts in Sound on Sound magazine, it remains the definitive tutorial on synth programming. https://www.soundonsound.com/search/articles/%22Synth%20Secr...
It deserves it own dedicated website, it is never easy for me to find.
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.
That looks really great, but a little pricey. Any recs for someone who isn’t sure if they want to invest the cash into learning synthesis?
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
Sample Modeling's The Trumpet and Audio Modeling's Swam Saxophone have been invaluable additions to my rack.
If you have an interest in synths, you owe it to yourself to read Synth Secrets by Gordon Reid. Published in 63 parts in Sound on Sound magazine, it remains the definitive tutorial on synth programming. https://www.soundonsound.com/search/articles/%22Synth%20Secr...
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,…
A while ago I recorded two songs (inter alia) that each used a Logic / Garageband synth. I can't perform these songs live without using my laptop. Currently my setup is with a Nord Piano 2 (which does not use Apple synthesisers and there does not appear to be a way to convert to Nord's file format). Is it possible to go from first principles, starting with a sound that I have in mind (an Apple Logic default synth) an…
You'd have to explore sampling the output of the Logic synth, and then converting and loading them into the sample engine on the Piano.
https://www.nordkeyboards.com/software-tools/nord-sample-edi...
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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.
The boxes you've sold off are good equipment, but they don't really have all the knobs that I'd want, even if they are powerful boxes.
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that's a lot of money for most people
Lol, sure, ok. I guess the fact that every restaurant employee I work with can easily afford $129 will get downvoted too. Considering private lessons would cost at least $150 / week, $129 is a steal.
I was completely blown away by the infinity x infinity possibilities. Totally overwhelming! This tutorial is great for helping me understand the concepts, very fortuitous.
Now if I could actually sit down and make a song instead of just tweaking knobs on controllers...
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.
That looks really great, but a little pricey. Any recs for someone who isn’t sure if they want to invest the cash into learning synthesis?