|
So, uh, very amateurish question. I'm mostly into the video side of filmmaking things, but am looking to start accenting some of my stuff with some audio. I hesitate to say "score" because I'm definitely not a composer. I can play guitar and carry a rhythm, but that's about it. I'm very interested in some downpaced (kinda trip hoppy) watery/chimey stuff. Sorry for being embarrassingly vague there, but I'm really looking to create subtle accents and undertones rather than flat-out musical numbers. Thus I'm looking to dip my toes in the synth world. It seems like a Microbrute + Volca Sample might be a fun combination to start with. I definitely want the ability to sample. And then maybe add in other Volca modules later? I'd be recording to computer, but I think I have that part covered. I guess my question is... what pitfalls might I not be seeing since I'm coming in so new? BonoMan fucked around with this message at 08:47 on Jan 11, 2015 |
#
¿
Jan 11, 2015 08:27
|
|
|
|
| # ¿ May 13, 2024 06:33 |
|
|
W424 posted:I'd advice to start with a DAW and virtual instruments. You can basically do a album for free on the computer (or throw away tons of money on some out of the box wetdream). The volcas/microbrute aren't going to be much use by them selves, sound will come out and they will be mostly/maybe/pray be in sync with each other but you can't do much about it. I have volca/microbrute and some other stuff as a small unit themselves trough a small mixer that I sample and treat as a noise source, the "real" instruments are routed seperately. The DAW would allow you to produce things vs something happening and knobs twisting. Great advice thanks! Is there a DAW thread? Also I'm more interested in pieces of sound at the moment more than anything that resembles a typical "song" if that makes sense. BonoMan fucked around with this message at 18:34 on Jan 11, 2015 |
|
#
¿
Jan 11, 2015 18:26
|
|
|
W424 posted:
Yeah no poo poo. I went from "scaling back to just looking at a DAW" to "ohhh this Ableton Live Studio + Push + Novation Impulse 25 for $950 looks great!" It was exactly like this when I started buying camera equipment. I'm gonna go take a walk.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 11, 2015 23:48
|
|
|
MockingQuantum posted:If you see any good deals while you're out, let us know. Ha, last night actually B & H put up the Tascam US-122 MK II audio interface for $45 with free shipping. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/657978-REG/Tascam_US_122MKII_US_122MKII_USB_2_0.html/dealZone/true I managed to snag one before it sold out. Should be a decent enough (hopefully) outboard interface for my amateur beginnings.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 11, 2015 23:52
|
|
|
Flipperwaldt posted:About a third of Amazon reviews (us/uk/de) of the MKII have one or two stars saying it's unusable, to the point of clicks in the recordings and random garbage output. Positive articles about it are all XP era. Apparently the Windows 7 drivers are poo poo and there's a bunch of compatibility problems with macs where it might not work at all on some models. Looks like they released new Windows drivers just last month (the previous driver release was 3 years prior(!!)) so lets hope that fixed everything. I'll just return it if not.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 12, 2015 00:59
|
|
|
Flipperwaldt posted:Seeing as the reviews suggest some of the problems only start to show up after a couple of months, I'd just return it anyway if it was me, but then I don't think there's much else you're going to get for $45. So good luck. It was an impulse thing anyway, I have a ton of B&H credit. I'll still probably just return it anyway and get something proper. edit: Or just get work to reimburse me and offload it onto them if it starts to get shaky. BonoMan fucked around with this message at 01:39 on Jan 12, 2015 |
|
#
¿
Jan 12, 2015 01:37
|
|
|
stillvisions posted:I had a mark 1 back in the day on an XP system - worked generally okay though you really needed something else to amplify it - it was fine with a mixer output as input but any gain on the tascam would result in ugly digital noise. One day it just stopped working so I gutted it for parts; turns out that not one, but three of my USB cables were hosed up for some reason so I'm not sure if it really died or I used multiple bad cables to test it. Replaced it with the Focusrite 2i4 which isn't bad (again, amplify it before it goes in) but the latency isn't great on it so you definitely want to use direct monitoring when recording. Cross posting from the interface thread: Haha this came in and it's hilariously poorly built. It's got 4 big knobs on it and NONE of them rotate with the same tension. One has perfect resistance and the other three are varying degrees of "loose" to "there's no way this can actually work" loose. It also has three dip switches. Again one is perfect and one is medium and one is incredibly loose. It's like the loving Goldilocks of terrible hardware design.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 16, 2015 19:44
|
|
|
net work error posted:Lots of new info on the Teenage Engineering synths from CDM. drat those look like a lotta fun!
|
|
#
¿
Jan 21, 2015 17:30
|
|
|
hug a mexican posted:Hello synth thread why haven't you noticed this yet oh well guess i'll have to post Private now 
|
|
#
¿
Jan 21, 2015 23:34
|
|
|
Those little PO systems came up on teenageengineering's site finally. I did notice that if you check out with a credit card it was horribly glitching and not working. I switched to "credit card with PayPal" and it worked fine. They decided to launch a new website AND a new product at the same time which was... probably not the brightest idea.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 22, 2015 23:30
|
|
|
Radiapathy posted:I hadn't been paying as much attention to the NAMM stuff as some of you guys have, and I know you've already talked about the new Roland stuff- but after seeing this Gearslutz interview about the JD-Xi, it is actually sounding like a crazy little monster of a synth for only $400. Showing up as $500 on B&H, but still seems pretty awesome (although I am completely new to synths and could tell my rear end from a CV gate).
|
|
#
¿
Jan 26, 2015 22:13
|
|
|
MockingQuantum posted:I just finished soldering together my Groovesizer Red! Trip report: On a similar note, since I'm interested in getting into synths as well... is it worth it to drop some cash on the Moog Workstatt (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1076886-REG/moog_werkstatt_01_moogfest_2014_kit.html)? There's so much terminology I don't understand since I'm diving right in, and I'd rather actually understand what's happening rather than just memorizing things.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 27, 2015 16:03
|
|
|
Sizone posted:Probably not. That's a lot of money for not a lot of synth. Well it's not really about how much money for how much synth, but will it provide a decent "guts" learning experience. And if the answer is still no, then is there any other better option or recommended reading for really learning the ins and outs?
|
|
#
¿
Jan 27, 2015 23:50
|
|
|
AxeBreaker posted:If you're looking for something small with a mod matrix, the MicroBrute is not too bad. Cheaper too, with more usable keys. And a sequencer! I'm probably gonna get the MicroBrute or something soon, but the Workstatt thing is more about putting together a synth from the ground up...soldering and what not... to give you an actual understanding of HOW a synth really works before moving on to bigger and better things. I'm not really interested in it as a synth for synth's sake... just a learning tool.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 28, 2015 00:29
|
|
|
AxeBreaker posted:The version sold now isn't the workshop version- no soldering required. It just snaps together. Oh. Well. That's loving pointless! And answers my questions, thanks!
|
|
#
¿
Jan 28, 2015 00:41
|
|
|
Flipperwaldt posted:I think all of y'all should watch this video about the Werkstatt-Ų1, especially from 7:15 on, because: Good to know. The only thing I was trying to get out of it is "will it help me actually understand the basics of a synth, why things do what they do and why elements are called what they are?" Whether it's soldering or made with cheese and string or what I really don't care... just if it actually helps learn as that's what out seems made to do. ozmunkeh posted:In that case this will probably be what you're after: http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/ Perfect thanks! BonoMan fucked around with this message at 04:28 on Jan 28, 2015 |
|
#
¿
Jan 28, 2015 04:23
|
|
|
AxeBreaker posted:Honestly there are a ton of low cost analog synths on the market right now. You'll learn more from actually playing with each knob than you ever would from actually building it. You don't need to know the engineering to know how to make music with a synth, or even what each part does in an abstract way. This cheesy 80's series here explains everything pretty well: That MFOS link gave me ask the info I think I'll need. But it wasn't about thinking I needed that info to make music... I was just interested in how they worked. I was prob gonna get a microbrute regardless and this was just something I was looking at in parallel as a learning tool. I'll skip it though. (And yeah I think I'll stay away from DIY for now) BonoMan fucked around with this message at 06:29 on Jan 28, 2015 |
|
#
¿
Jan 28, 2015 06:14
|
|
|
I'm definitely down with starting with fewer features. I was looking at that JD-XI and it seems nice, but it seems like it's got some menu diving. Probably gonna order the Microbrute today...the ONLY thing that has me a bit hesitant (and yeah I know it's a little stupid for such a newbie) is the lack of an apreggiator... that's one of the few things I did understand what it is right off the bat and I like it's function. Tell me I'm being stupid and just go ahead and spend the monies.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 28, 2015 16:04
|
|
|
sliderule posted:I'd rather have a sequencer than an arpeggiator, personally. The arpeggiator is a better live performance tool, but aside from that, the sequencer does everything that the arpeggiator does. White MicroBrute ordered! So excited. Also forgot that I ordered the TE PO series thingamajigs as well. I shall be creating tons of terrible bleeps and bloops in no time.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 28, 2015 16:53
|
|
|
What does GAS mean?
|
|
#
¿
Jan 31, 2015 16:23
|
|
|
Yay: my Microbrute came in! Booo: B&H shipped me a box in pretty bad shape. The actual SHIPPING box from B&H was in pristine condition... so it left the warehouse this way:   That's one end of it crumpled in like drat car crumple zone and ripped up really bad and completely taped back together haphazardly. It looks clearly to be used or an open box or something. Or got badly damaged in the warehouse and somebody thought just slapping some tape on it was acceptable. Ugh so now i have to decide whether to just return it or go with it. I don't wanna wait any longer . Contacted B&H...hopefully they'll send me a replacement asap.
|
|
#
¿
Feb 3, 2015 03:59
|
|
|
Startyde posted:B&H is pretty notorious for selling returns as new. Geez that sucks. We've probably ordered near 6 figures worth of stuff from them in the past with no issues. I'm only ordering this from them because I have some credit with them. Might just scrap it and go Amazon.
|
|
#
¿
Feb 3, 2015 14:10
|
|
|
field balm posted:Gonna chime in and recommend you just download a bunch of free vst synths and see which one appeals to you. You can learn basic subtractive synthesis on anything and it gets you 90% of the way, and you can do another 9% with free vst effects. I'm a bit confused about the world of VST synth stuff (as I'm utterly and completely new to it) Laserjet 4P posted:
So Laserjet mentions Tyrelln6, but going to that site, following the links and downloading the synth shows that it appears to just be VSTs that you plug into a software synth you already have. Am I missing something? I wouldn't doubt it if I would, but what are some actual free synth programs to pug it into if any?
|
|
#
¿
Feb 25, 2015 15:25
|
|
|
My Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators came in yesterday. Haven't got them up and running yet because having a 6 month old takes up ALL YOUR TIME, but good lord those things are even smaller than I thought.
|
|
#
¿
Feb 27, 2015 20:12
|
|
|
These pocket operators are crazy fun. At first it's like "yeah some cute presets, this is a nice gimmick" but then you start digging into making your own patterns and poo poo and the little mini sequencer plus effects are really fun and easy to start making cool poo poo fast. And I've only played with one so far (Factory)!
|
|
#
¿
Feb 28, 2015 22:19
|
|
|
Oldstench posted:Anyone fuckiong around with the Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators? Yeah I've had all three for a week or so now and love them. They seemed just kind of like a fun gimmick at first but once you start building your own patterns they are surprisingly full featured and the two parameter lock knobs per are great. My work has been out of control busy so I haven't been able to dive into them as much as I've wanted to but I can't wait to start creating terrible songs with them. edit: I will say the one complaint I have is that because they are so small, a lot of the features are operated via a combination of buttons. So to punch in live sounds while playing you have to make sure write + play are selected at the same time, or to select sounds you need to make sure certain things are pressed and so on and so forth. It's not a deal breaker certainly, but it definitely takes a bit of time to learn them to be able to do stuff on the fly and consistently. BonoMan fucked around with this message at 19:26 on Mar 8, 2015 |
|
#
¿
Mar 8, 2015 19:23
|
|
|
I'm in love with glassy/watery tones. None of that 8 bit poo poo. What do I need to make this tia.
|
|
#
¿
Mar 12, 2015 21:15
|
|
|
Oldstench posted:"Glassy" screams FM to me. "Watery" makes me think of Korg-like filters. Everyone else will have a different idea. But we all know yours is the only one that matters. So I'm runnin' with it.
|
|
#
¿
Mar 12, 2015 21:19
|
|
|
Scatterfold posted:oh gently caress yeah a wavestation; the vst must be like £30 now. worth it. Hell yeah. I kinda want the physical thing, but just my initial search seems like it may be hard to get one that isn't a bit dodgy.
|
|
#
¿
Mar 12, 2015 23:38
|
|
|
Scatterfold posted:I really like the VST. It must be about 10 years old now but Korg nailed it and the M1 and tbqh seeing as both are digital synths anyway it doesn't seem to me like you're losing much by having them inside a computer. There's a lot of WS on this ep; it's def a unique synth. Yeah there's really no reason for me to try to go beyond what I have at the moment physically. I need to get a DAW (I have Audition as part of my Create Suite bundle, but I'm gonna spring for Live) and start working there first. My microbrute and PO's have quenched my physical synth desires.... for now.
|
|
#
¿
Mar 13, 2015 02:27
|
|
|
wayfinder posted:Synths and Synthesis MkII: I'll gently caress anything with a pulse wave For future reference, the third thread should be titled Synth and Synthability MkIII.
|
|
#
¿
Mar 15, 2015 01:13
|
|
|
Oldstench posted:My birthday is coming up. I can smack around on my PO's for a bit and possibly give you a seizure?
|
|
#
¿
Mar 17, 2015 14:38
|
|
|
Kilometers Davis posted:I've contacted a couple places for the best new Microbrute prices. 99% sure that's the direction I'm going, the layout and sound is too good compared to everything else I've found in the price range. I'll submerge in various other synth demos for a few days until I choose where I'm buying from and then order if I haven't found something I like more. I'm excited! I'm also thinking of eventually adding a Minitaur to use with the Microbrute for obvious reasons. I have a barely used Microbrute (Special Edition White color) that I'll sell you for dangerously cheap if you want! Plus I'll even through in a 7 day trial run where you can return it if you don't like it  .
|
|
#
¿
Nov 16, 2015 00:43
|
|
|
net work error posted:I got one of the Pocket Operators (Factory) and it's fun but not as serious as a Volca unsurprisingly. Lots of fun for ~$60 though so if you've got the spare cash and were interested I'd say go for it. I have all three and they are fun as hell. Although the learning curve is kinda funnily steep. Well steep in that the buttons are confusing enough that if you stop using it for a few weeks you have to re-read the manuals.
|
|
#
¿
Nov 19, 2015 15:51
|
|
|
Electric Bugaloo posted:http://youtu.be/C2q2bis6eLE I do not sell weed nor have a degree in Russian lit thankyouverymuch
|
|
#
¿
Nov 21, 2015 17:59
|
|
|
Tim Burns Effect posted:Adding to the Black Friday sales spam, Sweetwater has Arturia V Collection 4 for $199 right now, which is cheaper than the V Collection Classics I almost bought last week. And I got paid today. Oh god. Ohhh goddddd come on will power.
|
|
#
¿
Nov 29, 2015 01:28
|
|
|
Barnyard Protein posted:Just buy the synths. those would all cost like $50,000 if you bought the real things. treat yourself. you deserve it. Bought it for $198 for the Boxed version @ Amazon. edit: I Hate all of You BonoMan fucked around with this message at 03:42 on Nov 29, 2015 |
|
#
¿
Nov 29, 2015 03:39
|
|
|
Trig Discipline posted:Yeah when you think about it that way, you'd basically be throwing away $49,800 if you DIDN'T buy it. I just listed my boxed version on eBay for $30,000 ($42,000 Buy It Now® option)... am I doing this right?
|
|
#
¿
Nov 29, 2015 03:53
|
|
|
Looking for a controller to gently caress around with the Arturia collection I just bought. Are the Keylabs decent? I'm looking at the 25. The 49 is pretty nice but might be a little big for me since I'm in "gently caress around" mode. But I do like the additional pad. The NI K series might be a little much for me on this go around.
|
|
#
¿
Nov 29, 2015 16:46
|
|
|
|
| # ¿ May 13, 2024 06:33 |
|
|
LOVE LOVE SKELETON posted:I've had a pair of M-Audio monitors for 8 years. I've never had any complaints, and I sometimes wonder if that's a failing on my part. I think their monitors are kind of in a different department than most of their other equipment. We've had quite a few sets of M-Audio monitors over the years and they've all been great. But some of their other gear (breakout boxes, etc) has been hit or miss.
|
|
#
¿
Nov 30, 2015 00:57
|
|