SYNTH GENERAL
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You are currently reading a thread in /mu/ - Music
You are currently reading a thread in /mu/ - Music
By now you know the drill, all forms of synthesis welcome, all genres welcome, those new to the synthesizer are especially welcome!
How did you mofo's acquire your first synth?
>>50179082
Station - Edward Artemiev
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUy-Mc2nY10
I adjusted the color a bit, just testing to see how it looks
>>50179094
I bought a Minibrute online for $375 then just played with it for a few months, every new synth takes a while to learn but once you figure out the basic components (Oscillator, filter, LFO, envelopes, etc) a lot of it becomes transferable from one to the other.
For hardware synths anyway.
Can you use a Deopher Dark Energy with a MIDI controller without having it synced to a computer?
>tfw no one will ever make cheap but cool ripoff moog synths again
Only the Concertmate was better than what it was intended to ripoff.
>>50179712
too bad the build quality on those. i do find it funny that a moog clone was sold in places like radio shack and shit though.
also http://www.synthesizers.com/
>>50179094
The first serious synth I bought was a CZ5000, I was working at a music store at the time. I forget the price but I think it was about 600 used, a million years ago. Great machine.
>>50179286
Yes of course
>>50179712
There are so many awesome synths out now for so cheap it's amazing. I know the renaissance will not last. I was still working music retail during the guitar crash and I see that coming our way again. Eurorack especially, the market can't sustain the number of players that are trying to get into it.
>>50179184
bought a Roland Alpha Juno 2 on ebay for $275 and it works perfectly
interface with the alpha dial kind of sucks but man the thing sounds good. its got a way different character than the other Juno's but with all those waveforms you can make some fucking awesome pads and cool basses on it
im using it with a BCR2000 and its a knob monster now so there's literally no downside.
>>50179184
>>50179094
The Microbrute was my first synth - a Minibrute would have been nice(r), but my budget lessened what I could get. Nevertheless, I bloody loved messing about with it, even if at the time I had no idea what I was doing. It's a great machine for generating some nice grating, noisy leads.
Though it's sort of been relegated to the shadows now that I have a BassStation II which I'm absolutely in love with. I know it can generate leads just as well (if not better) than the Arturia models, but I've been heavily invested with bass sounds/textures and what I've made thus far has brought a huge grin to my face.
>>50179082
any more of that cat?
![kh2gvVv[1].jpg](https://i.imgur.com/PnDFRCO.jpg "kh2gvVv[1].jpg")
synthcats hoooooooo
>>50179094
A few months ago I bought a Monotron.
>>50179750
>http://www.synthesizers.com/
I could drop my life savings into that website and not even feel guilty.
>>50179750
Ayy lmao
>>50180398
I almost wish I got into .com instead of euro. Their prices are actually really good and the build quality is MUCH better than most of the euro brands. With the new smaller BOX and modular keybed stuff he's released I've been tempted to jump ship.
>>50180520
i have a dotcom and like everything about it. there are some really sweet euro modules out there, though. either route leads to a good time.
>>50180596
deffo. the digital stuff coming out in euro has really kept my interest. Hexinverter's storm/moons and mutant series has me emptying my wallet.
>>50179094
bought juno 106 off craigslist in 2008
>>50180479
aw sheeit its organ moog dude.
All I want in life is an mpc2000 and to start building a modular.
>>50180823
I've got a new toy now too
>>50180887
I wish I had the space for one, or the chops to justify keeping it lol. I've pared my keyboards down to just a K2500 and ESQ.
>>50180887
Oh fuck I'm jelly.
>tfw I missed a super jx10 for 150 bucks by 15 minutes
I don't even need any more keyboards but damn did I want it.
>>50180923
It's pretty large, but I also have plenty of space. I'm taking piano lessons, so it helps to have a piano around too. It's also a much better instrument to write with, it's so immediate.
>>50180925
I've had the JX-10 for a couple of years now. It's sluggish, but it just has that special silky pad sound.
>>50180925
Wait, was it through K-bid? Because I sniped somebody with a $160 bid.
>>50181010
>I've had the JX-10 for a couple of years now. It's sluggish, but it just has that special silky pad sound.
Yeah it can be very like. Movie soundtrack. That's what I like about it though it's all around real smooth.
I wish I could get the rack version of it to save some space.
http://www.vintagesynth.com/roland/mks70.php
>>50181033
Nah it was on craigslist. Good to hear the prices are not bullshit for these yet. I think they are underrated.
I really don't need any more synths right now but I'd love a poly 61, dx7 or some jx series.
>>50181080
The only reason I saw it on k-bid was because they cross posted it to CL, there's another JX-10 that's been around for like a year, because it's listed for like $600 or some crazy shit.
>>50181164
thats ridiculous for a jx imo.
Prices are going to go up soon though I bet.
>>50181224
Yeah, I hope I can actually flip the JX-10 at some point, maybe work my way towards a kyma system
>>50181309
Why Kyma? I don't see what advantages it would have over something like Max/MSP...
>>50179094
literally cried to my parents to get it
>>50179750
I'd love to get my hands on the 11 box
>>50182501
dedicated DSP, more prebuilt advanced blocks to work with. The additive stuff alone makes it worth the price of admission imo.
Max was originally simply a control language and while it's certainly grown from there its audio handling is not as sophisticated.
>>50182501
Because I work with realtime audio. You can't do FFT analysis with Max, you can't do most types of synthesis. Max is mostly about logic and functions.
If you have worked with either, you'd know why they're hardly a comparison. It's like saying "why would you get a computer if you can just use a DX7?"
>>50182943
to expand, for a lot of high level stuff you're going to be calling externals anyway. If you want to dive down the rabbit hole you might as well save the ~350$ for max and dive into csound right from the start.
>>50182943
The problem I see with Kyma is that it hasn't progressed rapidly enough to keep up with software. There's not enough development effort. Hardware DSP doesn't mean shit when CPUs have advanced much more quickly. And I realize that it includes some neat high level stuff, that's rather old too.
>>50183024
>You can't do FFT analysis with Max, you can't do most types of synthesis.
What? You absolutely can!
>>50183039
Maybe if you're talking about the old capybara, lol. Get with the times gramps.
>>50183076
Sorry, realtime FFT of external sources, I thought that was obvious.
>>50183104
What are you talking about? You can do anything you want with FFTs in Max/MSP...
Here's my little boy, I bought it 3 years ago and there's no single day I don't turn it on and play. This thing got me into synthesizers I'm looking forward to buy a bass synth, maybe a minitaur.
https://soundcloud.com/brndnhz
All sounds made with my GAIA
>>50183148
I guess I don't know. I've just used kyma for a while and have grown used to how powerful and good sounding it is. Max is neat, but I don't want to spend year building everything from scratch that aliases and doesn't sound the way I want it to. I also want to be able to plug in a mic and process what I need to for a performance.
>>50183309
I'm a DSP engineer so I guess my perspective is a little different, but I don't really know why you'd want to get into esoteric computer music shit without wanting to mess with the lower level aspects of things.
>Max is neat, but I don't want to spend year building everything from scratch that aliases and doesn't sound the way I want it to.
There's nothing wrong with the sound quality if you know what you're doing.
>I also want to be able to plug in a mic and process what I need to for a performance.
Max can do that too; the only difference compared to hardware DSP is the same latency issues as any other software. If you're doing frequency domain processing, there's always latency with FFTs anyway.
>>50183544
Because I'm interested in sound design. Not coding. It's great that there's resources available to do low level coding, but I'm trying to make music.
Regarding sound quality, that's my biggest issue with Max. I'm sure you're fine with it, but I just want to throw a prototype together and be done with it.
>>50183684
>Regarding sound quality, that's my biggest issue with Max. I'm sure you're fine with it, but I just want to throw a prototype together and be done with it.
It's not a big deal, though. All you have to understand, for example, is that you use a trivial sawtooth as a phase accumulator for a sine or arbitrary waveform (i.e. for FM synthesis), and a bandlimited sawtooth to listen to it directly (subtractive synthesis). I don't think there's really a fundamental issue with sound quality, or that you have to take pains to make something sound decent. It's just a matter of knowing a little bit about how it works. The interpolation algorithms, bandlimiting, etc. might be a little better in a recently developed VA synth (either hardware or software), but this would probably also be better than Kyma as well.
And have you tried Reaktor? It should be better for high level stuff, though maybe not frequency domain...
>>50179082
>>50179887
OP pls
>>50183951
I'm not really doing subtractive synthesis though. I'm mostly doing realtime processing if acoustic instruments (like chamber ensembles), and processing them and playing them back over quad channel.
It's very niche, and Kyma suits that niche very well.
I've tried reaktor. Have you tried kyma?
>>50183951
This is also a bunch of things I don't want to have to deal with. I'm not a DSP programmer, nor do I want to be. Why do you have to be so against my own way of making music?
>>50184074
hes just telling you what needs to be said man, i havent seen him be an antagonist once.
youre the one who is getting irrationally defensive, why i dont really know. he has done nothing but provide information
>>50184051
>I'm not really doing subtractive synthesis though.
I'm not sure where you'd run into aliasing, then.
>It's very niche, and Kyma suits that niche very well.
Sure, but there are plenty of ways to do that.
>I've tried reaktor. Have you tried kyma?
I've read about it; manuals, etc. I used Reaktor a long time ago but mainly use Pure Data now.
>>50184161
Okay, well we obviously disagree and it's going nowhere, coupled with the fact you haven't used kyma so you don't really know where I'm coming from. Let's just drop it
>>50184074
>Why do you have to be so against my own way of making music?
I'm really not, though it does bug me slightly that people doing this sort of thing don't have a stronger technical background. It's not really that difficult, and it opens up a huge number of possibilities.
I mean the major computer music composers were all self-taught programmers. If you really want to get into interesting territory, that's the way to do it. There's nothing inherently wrong with using high level stuff as it is, but at the same time it's not fundamentally different from using Eventide effect processors or whatever, or using fixed architecture synths rather than modular. You're relinquishing a good deal of control to the designer. Maybe that's fine, but you're also constrained by the designer's vision rather than your own.
>>50184270
I think you're just weirding out for no good reason. I'm not fundamentally opposed to Kyma, though I wouldn't want to commit to it because I see it falling into obsolescence. It's just odd that you're seemingly acting like it's the only game in town.
>>50184438
You seem unsure as to what it is at this point. Claiming it's no different than a prebuilt synth implies you don't know what kyma is or that you're intentionally being antagonistic. It's still very modular, it just happens to have premade prototypes for things like oscillators, amplifiers and envelopes.
>>50184485
I'm not, I said I might save up for a kyma system, and you wouldn't let down. And you still won't. I don't think you care so much about what kyma is, or about people interested in computer music so much as you are about arguing with people on the Internet. That's why I am "weirding out". Because I really don't feel like having some guy hound me because I don't work the way he does.
>>50180823
>All I want in life is an mpc2000
iktfb
>>50184601
k dude w/e
>>50184701
Hey m8, I herd u like windows 8
>>50184701
Theres just so many beats I want to make. I have a bunch of samples I want to use but chopping them up on a pc is so annoying.
My blofeld died yesterday. No audio output anymore. It was even my birth day.
Feel with me /mu/.
>>50184865
>tfw my scarlett is still dead
fuck everything
>>50184865
here have some blofeels friend
My SH-201 has been "out for delivery" for 6 hours now. I'm really anxious, because between PayPal and eBay-esque site issues, I've been waiting for 26 days now to get it and if it comes with a defect I'm going to cry like a little girl.
>>50184865
I feel for you, man.
>>50184865
if you cant chop samples on your pc you sure as fuck wont be able to chop them on the mpc. The main seller for the mpc is the sequencing
>>50184888
I feel bruv
>>50184892
Thanks for the support, i guess i'll try to fix it by myself, but i'm scared to fuck up the whole thing. .
>>50184966
I can chop samples on an mpc. I used one quite a bit and yes the sequencing is great.
The problem is that I got to use one for a while and loved it but I do not own one and cannot find one cheap locally.
>>50184701
Going from the 2k to the 2kXL to the 1k, I've got to say you're missing out if you don't go with a 1k/2500 with jjos. I like how portable the 1k is so I stick with that but if you absolutely need the bigger pads, cop a 2500 and jjos. Much more powerful than the 2k, no headaches over project storage. I've got hard drives and max ram in my two and I just can't imagine going back.
>>50184865
That's actually a fairly common issue with the early ones.
http://www.stereoping.com/waldorf-blofeld-reparatur-toter-audio-output/?lang=en
If it's otherwise functional it is VERY likely that that is the problem. Love the blofeld, for all of waldorf's faults it's still one of the best VA/wavetable/S+S synth out there.
>>50182715
lol
this kinda but not really. my parents know I'm really into music so I got one for my birthday, used from eBay. music is a really rewarding experience so it's nicer than buying something like clothes or cologne or whatever
I bought one of these and it's shit. Did I just get trolled or am I a retard using it wrong.
>>50185176
lrn2subtractive synth or get a good keyboard amp/pa. Those things screw.
>>50185176
Probably both. MS-20 is known for wing noisy. However it sounds awesome, especially the dual filters.
>>50184845
maybe a dumb question but don't you have to chop them up on your pc first to transfer them to a sampler? thx
>>50185218
I'm pretty baller at subtractive synthesis. I just find the sounds to be very thin especially for a two osc synth.
>>50185259
The problem is your expectations. It's not a Minimoog. Use it for what it's good at.
>>50185259
Is the high pass cutoff all the way down? It should be opposite of what a Lowpass should look like if you want it open
>>50184701
I have a 2000, it definitely takes more time to chop samples on it than a PC, say with Ableton. I think it's more fun though, and for sequencing it's lot of fun too.
>>50184845
it is? i use dat adob audition and its pretty straight forward and get pretty fast after doing a few. also where is my goddamn soundcloud link. surely you repaired the interface already
>>50179712
The Realistic MG-1 actually is a Moog, designed and built by Bob and co. for Radio Shack in the 80s.
>>50185226
Yeah the MS-20 is noisy as fuck, but damn I love mine, it's perfect for aggressive sounds and those filters can really scream. I've got a Vermona Mono Lancet for smoother sounds.
You really shouldn't buy analog though if you can't handle even a little background noise though.
>>50185303
This. Put the HP cut off to between 2 and 3 and crank the peak (resonance) for more bass.
>>50186419
>tfw no ms-20
>>50186459
It's only a mini, should have mentioned that. Not quite as desireable.
>>50183175
I would have shot myself if I paid full retail for that synth. I say that because I have one. I paid $320 for it.It's fine for what I want to do.
I like you music though.
>>50185409
I made some recordings of some patches I was fucking around with yesterday if you wanna hear em
http://vocaroo.com/i/s0C2qlfj87d9
http://vocaroo.com/i/s0OquKId7Qmc
I have 500 euros.
What synth do I buy?
I was looking to get either all 3 Volcas, the MS 20, the Gaia, or maybe if I pay a bit more the OP-1.
what do
>>50187502
>What should I do?
More research and find out what you really want. You shouldn't just buy whatever strangers on the Internet tell you to. Also if you really want the Gaia, do not buy it at retail price
>>50187502
What's your intention? I own one and I'd be hesitant to suggest the OP1 to anyone. It fills a very small niche. The volcas are cheap and cheerful but really shine as additions to a performance rig, without some other sequencer/sampler you're going to get bored quickly I think. MS20 is great if you're looking for an awesome monosynth. Gaia is just a terrible gussied up rompler. If you want knobs, get a kstation, it's cheaper and wildly better.
>>50187579
Not trying to say that the Gaia isn't bad, but if you think it's anything like a ROMpler, you're literally retarded.
>>50187553
>>50187579
I wanna play around with synths, nothing serious.
>>50187720
Wow, 10/10
My sides are gone
You are truly a joke master
I really like the look of the OP-1 and I enjoyed watching Gambino make a few beats on live radio a few months ago, from a technical / functionality stand point is it worth the $800 ?
>>50187686
It's not a VA, it's a gimped ROMpler like the SH32. Sampled waveforms without even having the decency to give you S+S features ala "good" ROMplers like the k*000 or even the D50.
>>50187718
Get whatever you can find that's cheap on craigslist in your area then. You'll quickly figure out what you like and don't like. Just avoid things that are obviously trash, aforementioned Gaia, box store electronic pianos, etc.
>>50187856
I know what I like, I have a Juno 106 that isn't working unfortunately. I'd really like something that sounds similar.
>>50187793
If what you want is what it's got, then absolutely yes. That said it's got a fair amount of problems. For how supposedly robust the construction is- the jacks are surface mount which is fucking stupid, the keybed is membrane dome no-name laptop quality, the display's plastic is softer than butter. On the software side, it is not mindful of zero-crossings anywhere. That means clicks and pops in the tape recorder, clicks and pops in the sampler. Synths are fairly varied but not very editable. Envelopes are very simple, no log/lin. Basically no modulation routing. Everything sounds kind of "samey" even from the sampler. Patch management is a total fucking joke, you can not name or organize them on the device itself. Battery life is very good, but not easily replaceable. Memory is laughingly small and not upgradable.
If you need something for a sketchpad on the go, want something for electro-busking, or want to add polyphony to an otherwise mono rig (modular/monosynths/etc) it's nice.
how do I make my shit stop sounding like depthless atari sounds
>>50187856
Soooo... you are literally retarded?
>>50188029
For the price of OP-1, it'd be better to invest in the two new Electribes that are due for release soon, perhaps augmented with the Volca bass for analog goodness.
>>50188029
>If what you want is what it's got, then absolutely yes.
I say this because there is simply nothing else out there like it, which is why I got one. it is more than the sum of its parts.
>>50188001
Voice chips? They're not that hard to fix.
>>50187757
are you being sarcastic anon?:( i was so excited to post that
>>50188149
yeah but I can't buy them here.
>>50188088
It's literally a ROMpler+COSM, I'm not sure what your confusion is.
>>50188194
Even a TV repairman could remove them and add machined sockets for you. Give them an acetone bath, remove the shell and hope for the best. Out of the dozens I've cleaned this way only a few didn't come back.
>>50186419
>>50185286
I think you dudes are right. This is what I was expecting with a ms 20. Even resonating the HP for extra low sines was pretty disappointing. IDK maybe it will grow on me, I'm a sucker for inverted envelopes and patching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmsbP13xu6k
>>50179082
What's a good medium priced synth for beginners? Minimoog?
>>50188666
what is your budget? what type of synth? depends
>>50188666
>medium priced synth for beginners?
>Minimoog?
For real though what's your price point and what do you want out of a synth. I love my microbrute and they are p cheap at $260.
>>50188568
Here's my favourite MS20 recording:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMMALKk5nfY
>>50188710
250 - 600 american dollarinos
preferably the "warmer" type of synths
what's the point of a synth if you can just use a midi controller to play a pirated vst
>>50188826
BAIT ALERT DO NOT REPLY
>>50188826
that's like asking what's the difference between a drum and a drum machine
>>50188826
because midi is for chiptune neckbeards and synths are for real musicians
>>50188872
drum machine isn't shit
>>50188916
*tips fedora*
>>50188784
try the novation bass station. for 100 dollars more you can get a used microwave xt
>>50179286
what is a midi input?
>>50188784
If you want a monoponic bass synth you could get a Microbrute, Bass Station 2 or MS 20 mini. The mini is kinda harsher than the other two.
If you want a polyphonic synth you could get a waldorf blofeld. The blofeld will be harder to master and will sound colder since it's digital but, you have a lot more sound design options due to the wavetable synthesis. If you get lucky you could get a Roland Juno 6/60/106 second hand for 600 or under if you look around a lot. I got a 106 for $600 and I've seen a 6 selling for $300 on craigslist before. Be wary when you buy vintage though. A 106 with original voice chips will break on you and you will need to buy clone chips. The clones chips are exactly identical though and better than the original but, they are a like $250-300 for all 6 not including labor to put them in.
>>50188826
VSTs can't replicate analog electronics and actual keyboards are more stable for live usage.
>>50188872
yes
this is a good comparison
>>50179800
>Eurorack especially, the market can't sustain the number of players that are trying to get into it.
true. i also can see the bubble. Too many manufacturers and only an handful of them are interesting. Too bad i also want to jump on the wagon
>>50179082
i have a synth and an sp404. do I need a sequencer or a mixer? also, I have everything working except I can't play/record my synth into my sp404 directly through the audio out/audio in output/input. does anyone have any advice on this?
What's a good synth if i'm going for a dreamy, new order-y / drive-y style?
hey guys i'm planning to buy a sampler next black friday... i want a cheap one, suggestions?
p.s. i've heard that the korg microsampler is not as good as everyone says. is that true?
>>50189093
blofeld is good for ambient-y style soundscapes
>>50189093
anything
>>50189041
you can plug your synths out in the sp404. just make sure the thru is on. then you can play or record into it
>>50188826
it's like "whats the difference between having sex and masturbating"
>>50189146
...one is free?
>>50189144
>make sure the thru is on
what does this mean?
>>50189174
midi controllers arnt free
>>50189191
but everyone has a computer keyboard already :^)
>>50189177
the ext source button needs to be lit. also the mic one if you are using that in. that way the synth will be heard
>>50189191
MIDI has shit resolution
>>50189220
your computer also isn't free
>>50189228
its not like youre using osc. but yes. its fine for somethings though.
>>50189221
hmm I have that lit but I still can't play it while connected to the sp404. I can use my mic if that's plugged in, so I know it should be working. thanks for the help anyway though
Where were you when Massive was kill?
>>50181309
fuck kyma. i paid 3500 bucks for a capybara and its power is limited by how stupidly complex they made it. carla is a jewel no doubt but kyma is way behind in terms of usability
Hey, anons, i'm looking for a kinda cheap synth to start learning, i know about music and i play guitar, saxophone and a bit of piano. Would you recommend anything to me or just give me some advice?
Also, if anyone can tell me how to set up a synth for a concert and stuff that would be great.
>>50189297
if you actually want something that you play like a piano and have range youll have to get some 80s synth or pay more money. for a concert you just plug the synth into the PA
>>50189297
if you want to learn synthesis go buy a Korg volca keys. that'd help.
Oh and it's cheap also!!
>>50189297
seconding the volca keys
best for the value atm
>>50189348
>>50189366
Volca keys is troll
>>50189348
>>50189366
or he could get a used micron for like 150 bucks and have something way way better
>>50189297
>>50189382
>>50189395
Well, what about a microbrute?
>>50189541
I shill microbrute so much it isn't even funny but, I have this unconditional love for it. It's got a great acid sound that is unlike a 303 but, can be interesting and really hold it's on in a track.
>>50189541
>>50189395
>>50189382
>>50189366
>>50189348
i'm really just looking for something that can give my band a cut copy-ish kinda sound, really.
>>50189541
less features than the micron but sure. everyone loves those for whatever reason. theyre alright and easy to use
>>50189297
waldorf memesynth
>>50189608
weirdest post ever
>>50188871
>>50188872
>>50188895
>>50189146
Nothing but buttmad responses, has hardware synthesis really become redundant?
>>50189263
Is there a crack for that yet? I would pay because Duda is a genius and deserves my money but I can't afford it, and it's so good...
>>50189588
doesn't dan whitford have a modular on stage now?
get a modular
Simian Mobile Disco has a pretty neat live setup.
Using a modular and some other neat shit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwMjr5m80fo
>>50179908
take that exact same pic without the keyboard and it's an artist's work
>>50188029
>>50188149
it would be an added piece to my producer's setup, I would just use it to mess around on the go and such... sounds like a pretty decent investment if I run into some extra cash
>>50179094
I downloaded it from TPB.
>>50185176
Nigger, MS-20 is one of the best synths around. IMO better than any moog for bass sounds and saws in general.
But yeah, as some anon said, it's pretty poor if you don't have some filters and effects to route it through.
I'm playing with an Elektron Analog 4 right now.
It's fun.
>>50188871
>>50188998
Post your face when you learned that soft synths like Diva and TAL U-NO-LX-V2 exist that perfectly replicate the sound of their hardware counterparts.
>>50189093
Any Juno.
>>50190852
I've used TAL U-NO-LX-V2 before and it pretty much perfectly replicates the juno 106 sound when you are playing 1 key. When you start playing chords the difference becomes crystal clear. The 106 is pretty borderline hybrid synth though.
>>50191032
It was mostly meant to replicate Juno-6 and Juno-60, Anon, so no wonder it doesn't quite sound like 106.
