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Where to learn synth programming.
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| dj_nocturne |
Hi,
I just finished my 2nd song, and until now I've been relying on samples and presets but now I really want to learn how to create my own sound.
I want to learn all that stuff about envelopes, attack, release, gating, compressor, oscillators, sawtooth, sine, etc...
Is this knowledge applicable to LOTS of synths?? Or do I still need years to learn every different synth.
PS: I prefer books over internet tutorials. The internet just doesn't provide the completeness that I'm looking for.
Thanks a lot |
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| RIPassion |
My advice would be to actually get any synth and sit down and learn what does what in general. First learn the connection between each osc and the sound it makes and then see what happens when you turn another knob. Do that for different wave types until you can make a generalization about what each knob does to sounds in general. Then try to make sense of that word, like resonance, cutoff, frequency, shift, semi, etc.
You'll teach yourself HOW to learn about each different synth once you know what the knobs do. Then start looking up stuff specific to that synth and go from there. The most user/beginner friendly synths you'll probably find are the ones in reason, (maelstrom and subtractor), but I'd actually go with the maelstrom first. (yes i realize the maelstrom can be a complex synth, but not if you are using it really basically, so please don't argue, other people -_-) |
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| Pimp_fu |
| Sampling and soft synth POWER!, also, as hokey as it seems, Rick Snowman's Dance Music Manual has some GREAT info. |
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| Zombie0729 |
| quote: | Originally posted by RIPassion
My advice would be to actually get any synth and sit down and learn what does what in general. First learn the connection between each osc and the sound it makes and then see what happens when you turn another knob. Do that for different wave types until you can make a generalization about what each knob does to sounds in general. Then try to make sense of that word, like resonance, cutoff, frequency, shift, semi, etc.
You'll teach yourself HOW to learn about each different synth once you know what the knobs do. Then start looking up stuff specific to that synth and go from there. The most user/beginner friendly synths you'll probably find are the ones in reason, (maelstrom and subtractor), but I'd actually go with the maelstrom first. (yes i realize the maelstrom can be a complex synth, but not if you are using it really basically, so please don't argue, other people -_-) |
you are right but i disagree with you. you are right in the fact that most producers teach themselves by just playing around. However if he is looking for a more indepth analysis there are some wonderful books associated with many popular soft synths. Those books will give you an indepth analysis of the soft synth, its functions and how and WHY those functions work. You will learn a lot more than you ever thought was possible. |
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| Rob |
| quote: | Originally posted by Zombie0729
Those books will give you an indepth analysis of the soft synth, its functions and how and WHY those functions work. You will learn a lot more than you ever thought was possible. |
The majority of those books are biased, unless you're reffering to the manual, which is the only "book" I'll think you'll ever need to read:)
Secondly, how many books do you need to read before you understand how a BP filter works, or how to increase filter enevelope release times? If you know how to do it on one synth, you will know how to do it on another(after a few minutes of tinkering atleast:stongue: ).
So to answer this question:
| quote: | | Is this knowledge applicable to LOTS of synths?? Or do I still need years to learn every different synth. |
Within bounds, this knowledge is applicable to lots of synths. If you've mastered the ins and outs of one synth, then you will find that what you know translates over to the other(within bounds). |
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| Timothy |
| Try reading the manuals of your synths that you use. |
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| el.maestro |
Depends on how far you want to go. Do you want to tweak existing sounds or create new sounds?
There are programing environments out there like NI's Reaktor, CSound, etc. that allow you to create sounds from scratch. You' would have to read a thick book to get there. Once you do, sky's the limmit. What ever you choose, stick to it, master it, before moving to another. |
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| Sonicstyle |
the normal subtractice synthesis is quite easy to learn, you can do it on the internet too... at least I did it.
to your second question.
if you can programm one synth you can also programm others. because mostly they have the same function but just another name or so |
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| Low Profile |
If you learn subtractive synthesis (the most common form of synthesizers) you'll be able to control almost every subtractive synth you find with little hassle :) It's like driving a car, when you learn to drive one, it only takes a couple of minutes to get comfortable driving another car, because they all have the same controls :D
Try something like FreeAlpha from Linplug (just google "Linplug"), it's very basic, and you can just around with it :D |
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| luizmenezesjr |
I have a Clavia Nord Lead 3, and their manual has a whole chapter about subtractive synths...
Go to www.clavia.se and download the .pdf manual from Nord Lead 3. It covers all the common functions of synthetizers. |
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| Chewporka |
hmmm toight link for that manual, lots in interesting stuff in there.
But what about actual creating the sounds for patches which will then be tweaked by various techniques for common vsts like vanguard or zeta? |
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| RIPassion |
| quote: | Originally posted by Zombie0729
you are right but i disagree with you. you are right in the fact that most producers teach themselves by just playing around. However if he is looking for a more indepth analysis there are some wonderful books associated with many popular soft synths. Those books will give you an indepth analysis of the soft synth, its functions and how and WHY those functions work. You will learn a lot more than you ever thought was possible. |
I don't think you quite caught my drift... you basically just repeated a part of what I tried to get across. First learn how stuff works, THEN you can be able to fully understand a wide variety (all) synths, learning about each one's individuality through reading. Sorry if it was unclear. |
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