Good on you for actually taking the time and effort to learn your gear. You'll be glad you did in a few years if you're still producing. Your tracks will sound more original, you'll waste less time searching through presets, and you'll generally be a more capable producer. Its 100% worth it and essential to producing good music IMO.

quote:

Originally posted by Zlaught 1. With the Init patch or preset(which is the correct term for the most basic sound?), is it possible to create any sound(kicks/guitars/strings etc...) as long as I know how to use my synthesizer to its full abilities? 2. What book's would you recommend me to pick up to further my understanding of synthesizer sound design. I would much rather prefer recommended sites but perhaps quality sites for this do not exist?

1. Nothing is going to sound exactly like strings or guitars that comes out of a TI. But any sound that you CAN program with a synth can be programmed from the init patch. How do you think they make presets to start with? This is a weird question.

2. Don't buy a book. Waste of money and time. Read around on the computer music/other mags web archive, hang around here, or gearslutz, watch youtube. Thats how most people on here learned, and there are far more resources out there now than there were 5 years ago when I was learning.

Read the stickies on here too for a basic grounding in how it all works.

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Originally posted by kitphillips 1. Nothing is going to sound exactly like strings or guitars that comes out of a TI.

I agree, particularly with guitars. If you're looking for a synthetic/fake sounding guitar, then the Virus is fine for that, but if you're looking for realistic sounding guitars, don't waste your time because it will sound obviously fake. That's not the Virus' strength - use a good sampler (e.g., Kontakt) and sample library (e.g., Orange Samples, Pettinhouse, Indiginus) instead.

quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips 2. Don't buy a book. Waste of money and time. Read around on the computer music/other mags web archive, hang around here, or gearslutz, watch youtube. Thats how most people on here learned, and there are far more resources out there now than there were 5 years ago when I was learning.

I totally disagree about books - books are great and they concentrate a wealth of information in a small package that you can actually enjoy without wasting your life staring at a computer screen. The internet has some great info, but it's also loaded with misinformation. Regardless, check the Books sticky above and be sure to check out the SoundOnSound "Synth Secrets" series - that'll keep you busy for a while:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/allsynthsecrets.htm

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quote:

Originally posted by kitphillips essential to producing good music IMO.

Not really.

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Originally posted by dj_alfi change your avatar for fucks sake.

I was referring to a synthetic sounding guitar, or synthetic sounding string, which I now am assuming is 100% possible.

I feel like an idiot, completely missed the book sticky section lol , thanks for pointing out to me that there is one though.

Also thanks for the soundonsound link, seems like it has a lot of useful information ill be sure to check it out.

Besides, Computer Music Tutorial by Curtis Roads, Cryophonik is there another book that you would highly recommend? Currently the other two I plan on reading are
1)Musimathics, Volume 1: The Mathematical Foundations of Music BY: Gareth Loy
2)Musimathics, Volume 2: The Mathematical Foundations of Music BY: Gareth Loy

Thanks for the help guys

EDIT: A random question I have, I am using 2x MR8 Studio Monitors plugged directly into my virus. I read somewhere that in order to get the purest and best sound quality out of your virus it should be on full volume,so is there a device I can buy to make the volume on my monitors lower so i can put my virus on full? Because currently I have to keep the volume on my virus between 5-30 or else it's to loud.

Thanks Again

Last edited by Zlaught on Mar-08-2011 at 19:59

quote:

Originally posted by Zlaught ...is there another book that you would highly recommend?

Yeah, take a look at this thread for more info:

http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/...threadid=591118

Hopefully, LoveHate can chime in with his thoughts on the Simon Cann book.

Regarding your question about monitors, I'd look into some of the passive volume controllers like the Mackie Big Knob, et al. I don't have any first-hand experience with them and I'm not sure how well they'd work for your purposes, but other people here (esp. Eric J and DJ RANN) can hopefully offer their input.

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hey Zlaught,

i have a good recommendation for you, have you tried using VST synths (sylenth1, vanguard, albino etc). there are many video tutorials for VST synths and is a great way of learning synthesis which is what you want.

here are some links for VST synths programming video tutorials:

http://www.dancemusicproduction.com/ ( programming VStation, look for part 4 synthesis)
http://www.music-production-videos....1&products_id=7 ( uhe zebra2, predator, reator )
http://conservatoriumofaudio.com/in...chk=1&Itemid=60 ( has many basic synthesis principle videos )
http://sonicacademy.com/Producer/Co...nthesis.cid3873 ( sylenth 1 )
http://sonicacademy.com/Producer/Co...nthesis.cid3993 ( fm synthesis )

all cost money but worth if you wanna learn

once you learn how to program VST synths, programming your TI shouldnt be a problem

hope this will help you

How could we forget this classic?

Sound On Sound Access Virus Masterclass

A little dated and pre-dates the TI/TI2, but good stuff anyway.

BTW, am I the only one having trouble with the SOS website today?

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So would it be wise to purchase a popular VST Synth to learn programming synthesis(What's the general consensus on this?) If so which one would you guys recommend.

Cryophonik, the Mackie Big Knob is 300$ new, I am Simply looking for a device that can control the sound of my monitors so i can put my virus on full volume, do I have to throw down 300$ in order to do this? Also I don't think I have much use for many of the other things that come along with it and which I assume I'm paying the high price for. I just want a volume knob, do these exist or do I have to buy something like the Mackie Big Knob(What is the technical name for what this is?)?

Thanks for your patience and help with me guys

EDIT: Cryophonik thanks for the link

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik Regarding your question about monitors, I'd look into some of the passive volume controllers like the Mackie Big Knob, et al. I don't have any first-hand experience with them and I'm not sure how well they'd work for your purposes, but other people here (esp. Eric J and DJ RANN) can hopefully offer their input.

The Big Knob is not passive and probably one of the most prominent volume controllers to stay away from . The M-Patch 2 is a better choice overall (and passive except for the headphone output). The cheapest passive volume controller I know of is the Nano Patch. Goes for 50 Euro brand new nowadays.

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quote:

If less is more think about how much more more would be. -Frasier

quote:

Originally posted by Storyteller The Big Knob is not passive and probably one of the most prominent volume controllers to stay away from . The M-Patch 2 is a better choice overall (and passive). The cheapest passive volume controller I know of is the Nano Patch. Goes for 50 Euro brand new nowadays.

TC Pilot as well:

http://www.tcelectronic.com/levelpilot.asp

1)So what should I go with? the TC Pilot or the Nano Patch, those seem to be what I was looking for(unless there is another cheap volume control like these that you would recommend instead).

2)Also what are your guy's opinions on what kankerkop recommended to me?
Should I invest in a popular VST synth and learn from there and then I'll have the knowledge to create what I want on my virus? Or is buying books and studying how to create my own sounds from scratch the best way?(I guess this is obviously a terrible question since it seems to just be preference, but I don't know)


BTW Cryophonik I've ordered
A)Becoming a Synthesizer Wizard: From Presets to Power User
B)Power Tools for Synthesizer Programming: The Ultimate Reference for Sound Design

If you guys could please give me answers to questions 1) and 2) I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
Zlaught