Vintage Synth Explorer Forums

Hi, how's it going?

This is my first post and I just wanted to ask about some possible advice on getting into synthesis.
I’d like to learn how it all works and possibly go modular, or maybe semi-modular...
Would anyone have any recommendations on learning how it all works? Are there books you would recommend? Also, what would be a good first modular/semi-modular synth?

Also, there’s a lot of emulations out there and I have a couple by Arturia and wondered which MIDI keyboards would be good, in regards to action, feel and consistency?

Thanks a lot!

Welcome!

Get reading here: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/allsynthsecrets.htm

The Hordijk Synthesis Workshop page is great: http://rhordijk.home.xs4all.nl/G2Pages/

The Nord Modular pages by the CIM at McGill are amazing: http://www.cim.mcgill.ca/~clark/nordmod ... k_toc.html

That's just some that I could think off the top of my head, should get you started

Some books I enjoy (some of them bit hard to get in physical form): Allen Strange - Electronic Music: Systems, Techniques, and Controls; Devahari - The Complete Guide to Synthesizers; Friend, Pearlman, Piggott - Learning Music with Synthesizers.

Some synth manuals are great instructional writings. For example, check: ARP 2600, Roland System 700, EMU Modular, Doepfer.

Have fun and cheers!

allfunandjames wrote:which MIDI keyboards would be good, in regards to action, feel and consistency?

If you want knobs, sliders and drum pads I'd look into Novation and Akai controller keyboards, I feel these have the best actions. Both make a few series at different prices, the most expensive ones are where you should start even if you decide you can't afford them they will be useful references.

If you don't need those control features look at used synths from the late 80s and early 90s. Many of these have much better keyboards than current controller keyboards but cost less.

Studiologic (Fatar) makes excellent playing keyboards but with few controller features. These are not that common in the USA, but easily found in Europe. If you happen to be a pianist you will really like playing one of these.

Hey, thanks a lot meatballfulton and pflosi! I appreciate the advice! Cheers!

Some good starter modulars:

Pittsburgh System 10



Doepfer Dark Energy



Synthesizers.com Entry System (pay as you go)

Woahh, thanks meatballfulton. These look pretty amazing. Synthesizers.com looks like an incredible website! They even have controller keyboards too. I also looked up Studiologic MIDI keyboards and found mixed reviews. What is Fatar anyway? Are they the leading producers on keybeds?

You also mentioned, "If you don't need those control features look at used synths from the late 80s and early 90s. Many of these have much better keyboards than current controller keyboards but cost less." Would you have any recommendations on which synths? I'm sorry, I just don't know a lot.

allfunandjames wrote:You also mentioned, "If you don't need those control features look at used synths from the late 80s and early 90s. Many of these have much better keyboards than current controller keyboards but cost less." Would you have any recommendations on which synths? I'm sorry, I just don't know a lot.

The Yamaha DX7 (I have the IID version, but afaik all DX7 versions use the same keybed) has a really nice keyboard. They are readily available for moderate prices (I paid 200 Euros for mine one and a half years ago), and you get a great synth as well. Even if you are not into learning to program it, there are literally thousands of free patches available online.