Single most crucial part of a synth

23 · Post by 23 » Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:12 am

This is going to be a two part thread (reason will be obvious when the second part comes up).

In any regard, was just wondering, what single aspect on a synth do you think is the most crucial?

Now, there is no need to keep yourself limited to the world of subtractive synthesis here, but just be sure that if what you are listing is something not common to most synths, that you point out what type of synthesis method it applies to (and what exactly it's function is).

To get things kick started though it's hard to pin down a single bit, but if I had to pin down a single thing, I'd say it was the synths Tonal Source (Oscillator) system/implementation.

Wiglaf · Post by **Wiglaf** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:19 am

The power button/switch.

No, better yet, the power cord! Or maybe the PSU.

Post by **audible** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:49 am

For me, the most crucial parameter is the Filter EG intensity.

sheepmusic · Post by **sheepmusic** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:49 am

VCF hipass or lowpass, its where most of the great synth sounds are made

Entropy Farmer · Post by **Entropy Farmer** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:52 am

The designer.

Post by **Stab Frenzy** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:14 am

Audio output.

Post by **Zamise** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:28 am

windshield wipers... oh wait a most crucial synth part. I'll say the front panel, because I don't care if it even makes a sound, its got to look cool first, then I'll see if it sounds good.

presets · Post by **presets** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:30 am

for me its not a parameter but the interface of a synth.

Peake · Post by **Peake** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:34 am

It's partly the design and partly the user.

Synthaholic · Post by **Synthaholic** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 1:26 pm

The sound. Nothing else matters if a synth sounds like garbage (and it can't be programmed to sound great).

2nd, the interface. It's hard to pull me away from any synth with a full complement of analog knobs!

MitchK1989 · Post by **MitchK1989** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 1:52 pm

I could easily use synths with no filter as long as there are enough options in the oscillator section and good mod routings.

psiapir · Post by **psiapir** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 2:06 pm

Wiglaf wrote:The power button/switch.

haha.. ooooh Man.. You stole my role!

JJQ · Post by **JJQ** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:26 pm

The wood-panels.

clueless · Post by **clueless** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:41 pm

Big fat knobs..... like Grace Jone's nipples!!

23 · Post by 23 » Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:51 pm

In looking over things so far, I'm seeing (in no particular order):
1. Tonal Source/Oscillator workings
2. EGs (granted it was Filter EGs mentioned in specific)
3. User interface
4. Filter (boiled down from LPF or HPF)
5. Mod Matrix (boiled down from Depth/Flexibility of Modulation Routings)
6. Cosmetic Look

I'm sure there are some other nominees out there, so by all means, those who haven't offered anything so far, rack your brains and try to single out the one most important aspect of a synth (in your opinion). And again, there is absolutely nothing to say you have to name something that is crucial to subtractive synthesis; just be kind enough to describe what exactly the parameter is/does if it's something more obscure.