New to synths...looking for some general advice

[ELPsteel]

Hello all! I'm trying to get into synthesizers and synthesis in general, as I'm a pianist and professional musician. I've been listening to synthesized music all my life (Keith Emerson since I was a kid), and more recently have gotten huge into electronic music such as Autechre, Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada and what have you. I would like to explore this world of creativity myself, but there is so much to learn.

My main two questions would be

1. What is a smart analog synth purchase for a beginner? I already have a Yamaha Motif, but the digital sounds just don't cut it for me. I was looking at the Little Phatty due to it's nice Moog sounds, ease of use and (relatively) affordable price. I'm sure that there are alternatives that I don't know about however. I know little to nothing about synth hardware.

2. I know very little about the actual synthesis of sounds. Oscillators, filters, envelopes...these are things that I don't understand too well, although I know a tiny bit about them. Are there any really good guides or tutorials on the subject of sound manipulation that are available to read or watch online? And if so, what are the best ones?

Thanks!!

[Jack Spider]

Welcome to the forums!

You'll probably receive many suggestions for a first analogue synth, based on personal tastes, and with you mentioning the Little Phatty, I assume you're looking for a monophonic instrument. I've owned a Little Phatty and couldn't recommend it highly enough - it's simple to use and sounds excellent. It's great for basses, leads and sound effects. Some don't like the interface, but it quickly became second nature to me.

Right then, your choices will fall into two categories - whether you want to buy a used analogue, or a new one, which naturally carries fewer choices.

You could buy almost any of the older monophonics, with a few exceptions, for the price of the Little Phatty or less. You might consider some of these, all of which, I wouldn't mind owning myself:

Moog Rogue
Moog Prodigy
Roland SH-09
Roland SH-2
Korg Mono/Poly (this can be played with four-note polyphony)
Sequential Circuits Pro-One
Yamaha CS-5, CS-10, CS-15 Yamaha CS-40M (in increasing order of desirability and features)

There are demos on YouTube for almost all of these - in particular, check out Automatic Gainsay's and Jexus's videos, which are great showcases of a given instrument.

As many will tell you, owning older gear does carry a risk, as the electronic components won't last forever and you may be looking at servicing in the coming years. As for which one, I'll leave that for the chaps who've used them and can offer their experiences.

Buying new, there are naturally fewer options but you will have a warranty and less chance of things going wrong in the near future. I'd rate the Little Phatty highest for its simplicity, and its sound. The Dave Smith Evolver Keyboard is a similar price and offers more advanced features and a great interface, but is a more complex synth.

There are also a couple of modules from Dave Smith - the Evolver and MoPho, which you could play from your Motif keyboard. These are great-sounding, but have an interface that doesn't lend itself well to a beginner. I'd recommend downloading the manuals for them and seeing what you think. Again, there are plenty of demos on YouTube for these instruments.

With regards to learning synthesis - have a scout around for anything related to 'subtractive synthesis', as this is the method that most analogue synthesisers employ. Here's a quick guide with some terminology to get you started:

http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Un ... nsynth.htm

Good luck!

[CS_TBL]

I already have a Yamaha Motif, but the digital sounds just don't cut it for me.

Blame the sound designer, not the sound engine.

[Yoozer]

1. What is a smart analog synth purchase for a beginner?

A virtual analog. Getting a monophonic machine and having no clue is an exercise in frustration. Get something with a knob per function - even if you don't have a clue what the labels mean, you can deduce their meaning by listening and blunt memorization.

What's your budget?

2. I know very little about the actual synthesis of sounds.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/allsynthsecrets.htm
Start at the bottom, work your way up. It doesn't tell you how BoC or Autechre make sounds, though.

[Jack Spider]

A virtual analog. Getting a monophonic machine and having no clue is an exercise in frustration.

I'm not so sure - my first synth (and the instrument on which I learned subtractive synthesis) was a MiniMoog and its simplicity made synthesis very accessible. I had zero previous experience and simply read the manual and started applying what I'd read, learning what each of the controls did. I was then able to apply what I'd learned to other instruments.

Actually, downloading this free standalone MiniMoog emulator would be a good place to start learning the basics without spending a penny.

http://www.home.no/gunnare/

[Ashe37]

What is a smart analog synth purchase for a beginner? I already have a Yamaha Motif, but the digital sounds just don't cut it for me.

Since you have a Motif, if its an earlier one that can use them, you might consider dropping two AN expansion cards into your motif.

[ELPsteel]

wow! Thanks for all the VERY helpful comments, in particular the links from Jack Spider and yoozer. I have a lot of studying to do! Makes me wonder how electronic artists learned the technical details of all this stuff before the internet was around.

Also, @Yoozer: What do you mean by virtual analog? Do you mean like a VST on your computer, or a standalone unit that emulates analog sounds without actually being analog (and if this is what you mean, what are some examples)?

[supermel74]

What do you mean by virtual analog? Do you mean like a VST on your computer, or a standalone unit that emulates analog sounds without actually being analog (and if this is what you mean, what are some examples)?

It's just a digital synth that emulates analog synthesis. It could be either hardware or software. Some hardware virtual analogs

Access Virus
Clavia Nord Lead
Korg MS2000, Microkorg, Radias, R3
Alesis Micron, Ion
Yamaha AN1-x
Roland JP-8000
Waldorf Q, MicroQ, Blofeld

[Neonlights84]

Hey there, welcome to these parts,and to synths in general.

Realizing you want to be involved with synths is the first step. When i got my first synth, i couldnt tell an envelope from a filter to save my soul. My recommendations would be as follows:

1. Buy a Moog Little Phatty, or Roland Juno 6/106. These synths sound great, are easy to use, and are great machines to learn on. The Rolands are 6 voice polyphonic, and might be more of use to you as a pianist. The moog is one voice only, but it is a great machine.

2. Dedicate yourself to learning about synthesis. Understand that it basically lets you create how the sound is heard.
The oscillators are basically the timbre selectors and the filter does just that. It takes away parts of the sound in the various frequency ranges. It can make the sound more muted and subdued, or you can keep the filter open and go with some full sounds.The envelopes control how the sound is heard. A long attack produces a delay in the start of the sound. A decay will bring it down to the sustain point, an the release will determine how long the sound persists after you have taken your hands off the keyboard. Since you have experience with pianos, think about how you hear the sounds of that instrument. The fast attack of the sound, a shorter decay, no sustain, and a slight release. It really is easier if you think about it in that way. ADSR will become more familiar once you start using it.

LFO's, osc sync, ring mod and all those things are more advanced, but will come in time. I hope this was of some use to you. Good luck!

[iProg]

Welcome aboard!

I must recommend the Roland JP-8000 once again. Try it, you will not be disappointed and it's a great way to learn synthesis and to find your own sounds quickly!

[Ashe37]

I'd recommend an SH-201 but some people don't like them...

[Yoozer]

wow! Thanks for all the VERY helpful comments, in particular the links from Jack Spider and yoozer. I have a lot of studying to do! Makes me wonder how electronic artists learned the technical details of all this stuff before the internet was around.

Also, @Yoozer: What do you mean by virtual analog? Do you mean like a VST on your computer, or a standalone unit that emulates analog sounds without actually being analog (and if this is what you mean, what are some examples)?

The latter, and since the examples have been given already, here's where you can listen to some of 'm - http://www.synthmania.com/

[wingedwhale]

The MS2000 is pretty good for learning synthesis. It's how I learned. The only problem is that it does (in my opinion) SO MANY THINGS. I've had it for awhile and I'm still figuring out new things it does. Apparently it does cross modulation! Who would've known...anyone who's looked at the manual! (Not me.)

[otto]

If you are ok with monophonic than the little phatty is a great choice.

[Syn303]

Roland Juno-6, a relatively easy synth to understand, and an easy way to understand synthesis.