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Trier posted:Hello. I'm saving up for a synth and doing some research in advance so I know exactly how much I need to save up. If you need to save up it might not be a good idea to start buying hardware synths. It's only for people who have buckets of money to burn. Trust me on this.
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Jun 29, 2017 15:54
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Rupert Buttermilk posted:This might seem obvious, maybe not. I can't tell from your answer; you'll likely need monitors/speakers, or some sort of way of listening to your work, as a lot of these hardware synths just have a few audio out jacks, and no internal speakers. The Arturia Minibrute has a MIDI USB thingie so you can hook it up to your computer, and I have some very decent sennheiser headphones. SpaceGoatFarts posted:If you need to save up it might not be a good idea to start buying hardware synths. It's only for people who have buckets of money to burn. Trust me on this. The Minibrute is only 3000 of my local currency, that's about the price of a PS4 or a laptop, of which I have both. I'm not looking to go full modular addict, I just want something I can play some bleeps and bloops on and learn to write some bleepy bloopy songs with and it seems like that's not outside my price range so long as I'm not looking to hook up with a moog (as much as I would totally hook up with a moog if I could) Trier fucked around with this message at 16:02 on Jun 29, 2017 |
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Jun 29, 2017 15:58
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Trier posted:The Minibrute is only 3000 of my local currency, that's about the price of a PS4 or a laptop, of which I have both. I'm not looking to go full modular addict, I just want something I can play some bleeps and bloops on and learn to write some bleepy bloopy songs with and it seems like that's not outside my price range so long as I'm not looking to hook up with a moog (as much as I would totally hook up with a moog if I could) What I mean is that at some point you will probably want to use a DAW, maybe pay for one. Then you'll maybe want an audio interface. Then you'll find your headphones, no matter how good they are, will never replace feeling those sub bass directly through your body and you'll purchase monitoring speakers. At that point you'll probably feel tired of playing with your minibrute and will want to try something else. Something completely different. It never ends. But that's just my warning. Do as you please and have fun. I'm certainly having a lot of fun 
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Jun 29, 2017 16:08
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SpaceGoatFarts posted:What I mean is that at some point you will probably want to use a DAW, maybe pay for one. Then you'll maybe want an audio interface. Then you'll find your headphones, no matter how good they are, will never replace feeling those sub bass directly through your body and you'll purchase monitoring speakers. At that point you'll probably feel tired of playing with your minibrute and will want to try something else. Something completely different. It never ends. Fair warning, but if that ends up being the case I'll be okay with it, if I get hooked by this it'll be the best thing that could happen to me to be perfectly honest.
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Jun 29, 2017 16:18
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SpaceGoatFarts posted:If you need to save up it might not be a good idea to start buying hardware synths. It's only for people who have buckets of money to burn. Trust me on this. 
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Jun 29, 2017 16:25
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Hey a synthesizer would be cool to have, I don't want to spend too much though, this Microbrute sounds fun drat this is pretty neat but I'd like some drums and bass to go with it, what's that, Rhythm Wolf, both in one box, sold HOLY poo poo KORG IS MAKING WHAT okay, focus, this is not something I strictly need BUT LISTEN TO THE SOUNDS whoops I seem to have bought one I guess I better get an audio interface, and, hmm, a MIDI through box, those are cheap, might as well, also I need to move this poo poo to an extra table from which follows that I need a table the sequencers on these synths all aren't ideal but look Arturia is making pretty decent ones this table is too small ongoing cautionary tale
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Jun 29, 2017 16:25
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I'd still heartily recommend the Minilogue. It's a four-voice poly for $500 which is damned near unheard of, at least for analog. It's a very standard, yet pedagogically-rich synth in that it has most of the things you'd expect from an analog synth -- ring mod, sync, pulse-width modulation and a choice of filter cutoffs. The oscilloscope lets you know what your knob twists are doing to a sound. The delay can be used as a reverb in a pinch, but can sound hilariously crunchy and noisy and I love it. Bunch of presets that are hit and miss, but you can deconstruct them or 'recreate' them with knob twists to see how close you get, which is another good teaching too. Also has MIDI over USB.
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Jun 29, 2017 16:36
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My only hardware involves MIDI controllers, I'm unfortunately a soft synth guy all the way.  That being said, if you truly want to just gently caress around with synth design/learning synthesis and want to do it on the cheap, follow these steps: 1. Get a DAW. Price-wise (also, it's awesome), I recommend Reaper. https://www.reaper.fm 2. Get some sort of MIDI controller, so you can actually play the thing, not just pencil in notes on the piano roll. 3. http://www.kvraudio.com (signing up is optional, but I recommend it.) go to plugins, and do a custom search for the format of plugin, your platform, select instrument (and only instrument, for the purposes of this), select "free" for the price, and you'll get hundreds of results. There are some spectacular plugins all for $0.00, with the average level of quality skyrocketing once you start dropping money into the equation. Edit: since you're new to this, here's some clarification on plugin format: AU = audio unit, the defacto plugin format for OS X. VST = defacto plugin format for Windows/PC. The others get weirdly specific, like there's one just for protools, because of course there is. Keep in mind that, with a proper wrapper, you can use VSTs on mac and I believe audio units on PC, but it's generally best to run them natively on their platform of choice. Rupert Buttermilk fucked around with this message at 17:46 on Jun 29, 2017 |
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Jun 29, 2017 17:41
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Tayter Swift posted:I'd still heartily recommend the Minilogue. It's a four-voice poly for $500 which is damned near unheard of, at least for analog. It's a very standard, yet pedagogically-rich synth in that it has most of the things you'd expect from an analog synth -- ring mod, sync, pulse-width modulation and a choice of filter cutoffs. The oscilloscope lets you know what your knob twists are doing to a sound. The delay can be used as a reverb in a pinch, but can sound hilariously crunchy and noisy and I love it. Yeah, the Minilogue is a ridiculously good deal for what you get and it sounds fantastic which is even better, but the Deepmind 6 just came out which is about the same price per voice although it has 2 more voices along with a bit better effects. Basically Minilogue if you want VCO (voltage controlled oscillators so can be more agressive) / Deepmind 6 if you want DCO (digitally controlled oscillators so they're also a bit tamer) I would still lean towards the Minilogue just because of the oscilloscope since visualizing waves really helps when you're starting off, but you really can't go wrong with either.
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Jun 29, 2017 19:31
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If your goal is to straight up learn how synthesis works I'd consider the Microbrute. It's relatively cheap, sounds good and the interface is 100% wysiwyg which is useful to help understand how everything works. That being said there are some limitations to it (mono, only one envelope that affects amp AND filter) and Arturia poo poo breaks eventually it seems. There was a good two weeks where my LFO didn't work until it suddenly started working again. But it sounds soooooo goooood. As others have said the Minilogue is also super dope and you get a lot of synth for your money, I don't think you'd regret getting that. The only complaint I have with it is the filter which completely removes the low-end when you turn the resonance up even a tiny bit. Either way just be aware that once you buy one you will spend the rest of your life on a sisyphean journey to build the perfect setup and spend all your money on gear and will die alone in a pile of synths.
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Jun 29, 2017 19:38
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It's unlikely that you'll die alone because the scenario depicted inevitably involves owning one or more cats.
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Jun 29, 2017 19:40
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Yeah, don't go straight to hardware for synths, especially if you have to save up for it. Get the free Renoise trial, then go to some free VST dump site and download the most highly rated ones, there's tons of great free VSTs. Then after a while you'll know what you want from a synth and will be able to make an educated choice of hardware. Few synth people have the courage to say this out loud but for bleepy bloopy stuff nothing beats a laptop with a MIDI keyboard. If you still only get one synth, get something with preset memory (not a Brute that is).
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Jun 29, 2017 19:51
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I appreciate all the advice guys. The DAW suggestions are not falling on deaf ears, but if I know myself I need to be far far away from any kind of computer when I learn this stuff.
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Jun 29, 2017 21:19
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I can't imagine a better synth for starting out and learning on than the Minilogue. The price point, features, sequencer, arp, poly, different play modes, and a freaking oscilloscope to show you what the waveform is doing. Having one of these to learn on when I started in '96 would have saved me literal years of fumbling in the dark.
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Jun 29, 2017 21:26
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Having spent some time with our Microbrute, I wouldn't really suggest it, honestly. It makes a *very* particular sort of sound as it's limited in its oscillator control (no octave control or tuning/sync per osc). Also the filter is... it's what it is, but not super "musical," and almost all the controls seem to have a really limited range of useful movement. It has some limited patchability, and that's decent, and at least it has a sequencer, but overall it's not my favorite piece of kit. If I had take-backsies I'd have gotten a Minilogue. I'd also consider waiting for the Behringer D at this point.
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Jun 29, 2017 22:02
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I don't think the new Bass Station has been mentioned, probably the most versatile in this price range but not one knob per function. If you're in Europe or nearby, once you got the list to choose from, check Thomann, they like to do massive stealth price cuts. Compare the prices with other places. To expand on my point about preset memory, it helps to switch back and forth between parts when recording, instead of having to take a photo of every preset and dialing it back in. I'm mentioning this again because some people just assume that every modern synth has preset memory. Also be aware of the difference between monophonic and polyphonic synths.
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Jun 29, 2017 22:21
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Trier posted:I appreciate all the advice guys. The DAW suggestions are not falling on deaf ears, but if I know myself I need to be far far away from any kind of computer when I learn this stuff. Why?
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Jun 30, 2017 08:14
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Trier posted:I appreciate all the advice guys. The DAW suggestions are not falling on deaf ears, but if I know myself I need to be far far away from any kind of computer when I learn this stuff. You say that now, but the minute you will want to start recording, having more tracks (like drums/leads/bass), using midi or other effects (more delay or reverb or whatever) you'll need to choose either the DAW route (which is easy, relatively cheap, flexible) or the more hardware route (very expensive). If you just want a fun toy to play in your room with your headphones, or maybe to play on your friend's speakers, then I recommend more a Volca Sample and/or Keys or FM. And they can be quite cheap on second hand. The more I think about it the more I believe what you want is a Volca (for a starter) SpaceGoatFarts fucked around with this message at 09:19 on Jun 30, 2017 |
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Jun 30, 2017 08:45
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I got an email deal from Rhythmic Robot for a bunch of Q Up Arts Kontakt libraries. It's five libraries (everything here except the Voices of Native America libraries) for 80 GBP instead of the normal 800, which is 90% off. Now 800 is arguably a dumb as poo poo price for those five libraries anyway, but I've been coveting California Keys for a while and it's normally 400 GBP on its own, so 80 just for that would have gotten me to hit "buy" anyway. Long story short: I now have a new favorite piano library and a new favorite Hammond library, along with a bunch of other stuff that varies in quality from "pretty good" to "excellent". I don't actually use Hammond sounds that often, but that piano is going to be all over my poo poo from now on. It does the very quiet end of things better than any other library I've used. Coupon code is QUPMEGASALE if anyone's interested.
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Jun 30, 2017 09:46
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RE: Octatrack II Wow, it's nothing. Agree best thing about this will be cheap mkIs. :/
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Jun 30, 2017 11:36
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SpaceGoatFarts posted:You say that now, but the minute you will want to start recording, having more tracks (like drums/leads/bass), using midi or other effects (more delay or reverb or whatever) you'll need to choose either the DAW route (which is easy, relatively cheap, flexible) or the more hardware route (very expensive). Seconding a Volca as a starter for people who aren't sure how deep they want to go. They are under $200 each, so you could grab a cheap MIDI keyboard, too. I still use my Volcas, and I've got tons of other synths now, too.
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Jun 30, 2017 16:20
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Trier posted:Hello. I'm saving up for a synth and doing some research in advance so I know exactly how much I need to save up. Are we still all recommending the Arturia minibrute for a starter synth like the OP says? I usually recommend an old Electribe EMX. They're self contained and you can do a fair bit with them, and learn the ins and outs of some basic synthesis. Then if you want another synth, you've already got something handy for bass and percussion, not to mention being able to sequence external synths via MIDI. They're cheap second hand and it's pretty easy to resell them without losing your investment. I went Electribe, added a Micron, added an OP-1, sold the Electribe and Micron to fund my Monomachine, then added a Volca FM which I traded up to an Octatrack, and just added a Roland MT32 I found for 25 bucks (untested as of yet but if it does it's probably going to be the second best deal I'll ever find in my life). It also comes down to if you want step sequencing or not. I started off with Scream Tracker 3 back in the 90s and step sequencing feels like a natural fit to me - I'm not a "keys" person. Start small, figure out what you do or don't like about the workflow, and go from there. WorldWarWonderful fucked around with this message at 23:41 on Jun 30, 2017 |
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Jun 30, 2017 23:37
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SpaceGoatFarts posted:You say that now, but the minute you will want to start recording, having more tracks (like drums/leads/bass), using midi or other effects (more delay or reverb or whatever) you'll need to choose either the DAW route (which is easy, relatively cheap, flexible) or the more hardware route (very expensive). you can do what i did and get a hardware daw 
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Jul 1, 2017 00:49
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Startyde posted:RE: Octatrack II but the screen is nicer! the waveforms look cooler so they must sound better 
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Jul 1, 2017 00:50
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Trier posted:I appreciate all the advice guys. The DAW suggestions are not falling on deaf ears, but if I know myself I need to be far far away from any kind of computer when I learn this stuff. I got a minilogue as my first hardware synth after using Ableton for a few years and primarily working with a MIDI keyboard and softsynths. Would highly recommend it as I have had a ton of fun making all kinds of stuff. For $500, you really can't beat the set of features and the sound quality is excellent. I can get everything from a powerful rumbling sub bass to lush pads and arpeggiated leads. Honestly though, having Ableton alongside it makes a huge difference at least for me. The ability to record, add effects, add beats, and route MIDI all from one program is invaluable in my opinion.
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Jul 1, 2017 01:24
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Anyone used the System-8? It looks neat.
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Jul 1, 2017 06:03
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Edit: ^^^^ oh hey, buddy! Our interests align. Who would have thought, in this thread about synths?  I'd REALLY recommend the DAW route first, that way, when you go looking for a hardware synth, you have more knowledge of what you'd like. For example, if ever I can afford it, I'd love to have a Roland Jupiter 80 and System-8. 
Rupert Buttermilk fucked around with this message at 13:13 on Jul 1, 2017 |
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Jul 1, 2017 12:00
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PSA: JRR has analog four for $420  off while supplies last https://www.jrrshop.com/elektron-analog-four
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Jul 1, 2017 12:19
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I bought some Euro kits. One of them is a bit more complicated than I had planned - a MST Dual VCA - and I'm not sure about how best to calibrate it. (Instructions here: http://www.synthrotek.com/products/mst-eurorack-modules/mst-dual-2164-vca/) The patch they say to use needs a lot more modules than I have - like I wasn't planning on grabbing oscillators for a long while, and I don't think I have a single Sin out in my semi-modular stuff. I've been meaning to get an oscilloscope of some kind anyway, and I guess it's time - whats the minimum for what I want to do? 20khz bandwidth / a decent (whats decent for this) refresh rate right? The bigger hurdle is the oscillators. Is there a short-cut beyond grabbing an LFO and a Sin osc module? Like a multi-meter that outputs instead of listening? Option number 3 is rent some modules for a weekend but I doubt this will be the last time I'd need them.
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Jul 2, 2017 01:21
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an oscillating resonant filter oughta give you an o k sine wave for calibrating a vca i would imagine your ears would work almost as well as a scope
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Jul 2, 2017 05:07
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I asked on Muff's and haven't gotten a reply, so I'll ask here:quote:I've been a happy user of the ES-1 DB-25 version for years. Unfortunately I need the 8 analog outputs on my soundcard for something other than the ES-1, so I figured I'd use that spiffy SPDIF port instead.
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Jul 2, 2017 06:20
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mrbradlymrmartin posted:an oscillating resonant filter oughta give you an o k sine wave Wait yeah I definitely have that. Might be a dirty sine but oh well. Actually on re-read I think the sine is mostly for setting levels and the saw as a decay env, so that might not even matter.
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Jul 2, 2017 06:27
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I'm in Asheville, and I stopped by Make Noise yesterday morning. Its an unmarked, unassuming building in west Asheville. They have me a demo of the black shared system and I messed around a bit. Even with help I have a hard time understanding their modules. That said they were really nice considering its a workshop, not really a store. I kinda wish I had asked more questions about production and assembly. Tomorrow I take the tour at Moog Music.
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Jul 4, 2017 16:12
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I just impulse bought a Minilogue; this is becoming problematic.
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Jul 4, 2017 20:45
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FirstPlayer posted:I just impulse bought a Minilogue; this is becoming problematic. I just impulse cancelled my Behringer D and replaced it with a Roland SE-02
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Jul 4, 2017 20:58
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SpaceGoatFarts posted:I just impulse cancelled my Behringer D and replaced it with a Roland SE-02 I've started eyeing stuff to sell to help finance a Buchla Skylab system.
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Jul 4, 2017 22:22
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Whenever I feel the gear lust (Bastl Softpop started taking preoders today  ), I think about all the stuff I've been waiting to do instead.
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Jul 5, 2017 01:28
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FirstPlayer posted:I just impulse bought a Minilogue; this is becoming problematic. I love mine! Enjoy it dude.
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Jul 5, 2017 02:03
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AxeBreaker posted:I'm in Asheville, and I stopped by Make Noise yesterday morning. Its an unmarked, unassuming building in west Asheville. They have me a demo of the black shared system and I messed around a bit. Even with help I have a hard time understanding their modules. That said they were really nice considering its a workshop, not really a store. I kinda wish I had asked more questions about production and assembly. i have never found their stuff hard to understand but drat i still aint mastered the steady state positronic transient gate i figured out my wogglebug way faster than that thing lol my problem is i took my visual cortex out cuz i was tired of it being unplugged or the absolute center of every modules attention . . . maybe ill get like, a cell 48 or something and leave it sitting beside the tv? it aint quite eurorack tho since its built to run on signals btwn 0-1V which is like, not much, and so many modules just ignore the signals it spits out until i run them through so much gain so :[] its nice having the anti osc back in, 2 vcos is fun, blind panels are difficult to look at without wondering where to get enough money to throw away at something to replace them with 
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Jul 5, 2017 04:46
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I just ordered a new case   me
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Jul 5, 2017 05:12
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