I am a complete noob. D;

[Greiv]

Hai guys!

I actually have been listening to Daft Punk since childhood, and up until now they are my favourite electronic aritsts. After a while, I realized that something is missing in my enjoyment. As if...I should make my own synth music! I tried out the demo for fruity loops, and you know what? I stopped making electronic music in about three months.

Then, I really looked into it. I found out about how Daft Punk and all the similar artists use synthesizers and drum machines...and that's about it. In the past few days I've been searching for a community that would specialize in this kind of stuff. And I think I just found it.

Now, I have a lot of questions, but I'll just ask the basics first. First of all, what tools do you need? I mean synthesizers, drum machines, samplers, any more? And how exactly does each one work?

Also, I saw the thread in the General Synthesizers forum where people posted their synth "workspaces". How come people have like 3 or 4 keyboard synthesizers? Wouldn't just one be enough?

I would appreciate your help greatly.

Thanks a lot~

-Greiv

[Z]

You will also need some way to record. You can either use a multitrack recorder and record one part (bass, chords, melody, etc) manually until you've built the entire track or use a sequencer. A sequencer (hardware or software) is like a multitrack recorder, but you can edit the tempo, timing, pitch, etc, after you have played each part into memory.

Early (vintage) synthesizers are, for the most part, mono-timbral - meaning you can only play one sound at a time. With one synth and a multitrack, you could play and record your bass sound, then overdub your chords and melody up to the number of tracks your recorder has. With a sequencer and several monotimbral synths, each synth has its own sound (like each member of a traditional band:bass, guitar, sax, whatever).
Most modern synths are mutli-timbral, allowing you to get several sounds from a single synth simultaneously.

Another reason to have more than one synth is having a wider sound pallet. Not all synthesizers can produce the same sounds. Many make simialr sounds, but you will find that many people prefer Moog synths for basses and leads. Many like the sounds that Rolands produce. If you look at my sig, you wil see I have collected a number of synths over the past 20 years. Each has their own unique sound and capabilities.

I know there are many websites that can explain more of this in greater detail. Maybe someone can post these links here for you. First thing you might want to do is buy a beginners book on MIDI. These books usually elaborate more on what I touched on in the beginning of my reply before getting into MIDI's capibilities.

Good luck,
Z

[Greiv]

You will also need some way to record. You can either use a multitrack recorder and record one part (bass, chords, melody, etc) manually until you've built the entire track or use a sequencer. A sequencer (hardware or software) is like a multitrack recorder, but you can edit the tempo, timing, pitch, etc, after you have played each part into memory.

Early (vintage) synthesizers are, for the most part, mono-timbral - meaning you can only play one sound at a time. With one synth and a multitrack, you could play and record your bass sound, then overdub your chords and melody up to the number of tracks your recorder has. With a sequencer and several monotimbral synths, each synth has its own sound (like each member of a traditional band:bass, guitar, sax, whatever).
Most modern synths are mutli-timbral, allowing you to get several sounds from a single synth simultaneously.

Another reason to have more than one synth is having a wider sound pallet. Not all synthesizers can produce the same sounds. Many make simialr sounds, but you will find that many people prefer Moog synths for basses and leads. Many like the sounds that Rolands produce. If you look at my sig, you wil see I have collected a number of synths over the past 20 years. Each has their own unique sound and capabilities.

I know there are many websites that can explain more of this in greater detail. Maybe someone can post these links here for you. First thing you might want to do is buy a beginners book on MIDI. These books usually elaborate more on what I touched on in the beginning of my reply before getting into MIDI's capibilities.

Good luck,
Z

Okay, so each synthesizer has a diffrent sound. Once you record it, you edit it in a sequencer? Because I've seen synthesizers have their own editing thingies that you can turn and stuff. Isn't that supposed to edit the timing, pitch and all that other stuff?

Also, what is a mytator? Is it a sequencer? And the drum machines? Do you edit those in the sequencers too? Oh, can you also explain what a sampler does and how it works?

So,

Synthesizers
Drum Machines
Samplers
Sequencers

Is there anything else?

[Z]

Are the "editing thingies" you are referring to on older vintage synths? If so, these knobs or sliders are what are used to created and shape the sound. Many synths from the 80's and 90's had fewer knobs and sliders and editing the sound meant diving into menus in a LCD screen.

Drum machines are instruments dedicated to the production of rhythm patterns. Early drum machine might have only had a few basic sounds: kick, snare, toms, cymbals, but today's drum boxes have dozens of sounds and many can even sample (see below). Basically, you would create different rhythm patterns, arrange them into a song and then synchronize with your sequencer.

The late 80's saw the introduction of the "workstation", a multi-timbral instrument with built in sequencer. It would now be possible to create an entire track, including drums, on a single instrument.

Samplers are keyboards, rack mounted devices, drum machines and now computers that can record and playback any sound you feed into it. You could record your own voice, a dog bark, smashing glass or whatever and play it back with different pitches across the keyboard. You can also manipulate the sound buy chopping it up, looping it, reverse play and much more. Because of the limited memory of early samplers, you could only record a few seconds (a "sample") of a sound. Modern samplers can record several minutes if you have enough memory.

Sorry, I do not know what a "Mytator" is. Where did you hear that word?

[Greiv]

Are the "editing thingies" you are referring to on older vintage synths? If so, these knobs or sliders are what are used to created and shape the sound. Many synths from the 80's and 90's had fewer knobs and sliders and editing the sound meant diving into menus in a LCD screen.

Drum machines are instruments dedicated to the production of rhythm patterns. Early drum machine might have only had a few basic sounds: kick, snare, toms, cymbals, but today's drum boxes have dozens of sounds and many can even sample (see below). Basically, you would create different rhythm patterns, arrange them into a song and then synchronize with your sequencer.

The late 80's saw the introduction of the "workstation", a multi-timbral instrument with built in sequencer. It would now be possible to create an entire track, including drums, on a single instrument.

Samplers are keyboards, rack mounted devices, drum machines and now computers that can record and playback any sound you feed into it. You could record your own voice, a dog bark, smashing glass or whatever and play it back with different pitches across the keyboard. You can also manipulate the sound buy chopping it up, looping it, reverse play and much more. Because of the limited memory of early samplers, you could only record a few seconds (a "sample") of a sound. Modern samplers can record several minutes if you have enough memory.

Sorry, I do not know what a "Mytator" is. Where did you hear that word?

My bad Z, I meant a Mutator. ;D

Is Workstation any good? Usually when a lot of products are combined into one, it's not that good. And as you said earlier, each synthesizer has it's own sound. What kind of sound does a Workstation have.

And what about regular keyboards? They have a bunch of diffrent sounds these days. Hundreds. Why use a crappy little synthesizer that only produces one type of sound, when you can use a keyboard that produces hundreds of sounds?

[Z]

Many of today's workstation keyboards/rhythm machines are pretty decent as far as both quality of sounds and sequencers. A stand alone sequencer (hardware or software, although there are very few hardware sequencers made these days) will typically give you far more editing capabilities.

Although I'm old school and prefer hardware over software, I would recommend getting Reason 3.0 and a MIDI controller and use your computer to start off with. Propellerhead's Reason is pretty much a complete electronic recording studio on your computer: 2 types of synths, a drum machine, sampler, sequencer and effects. You can hit the TAB key to switch the screen to show the rear of your "virtual" gear rack and re-route virtual patch cords. Many electronic artists, both amatuer and profession, are using only software to create songs today.

Mutronic's Mutator is an analog filter that allows you to run any signal into it to process. One of the most common uses for these external filters in dance music is to take the whole track (or just rhythm section) and slowly filter it from its original high fidelity sound to a low-fi sound like the sound is coming from an old transistor radio.

Seriously, I strongly recommend buying some books on MIDI, synthesizers and audio production. Reading as much as you can will help you understand what's going on in these forums and everywhere where music is being produced. If you know anyone in your area that writes/plays/records music, see if you can sit in and watch, even if it's a traditional rock band. There are basic aspects of music production that can be carried into every music genre. Hang out at the local music store and mess around with different keyboards to hear what sounds they produce. Look at photos of your favorite groups' equipment. Also, if you don't have a background in music, I would carefully listen to songs and try to mentally disect each sound:drums, bass, chords, melody.

Good luck!

Z

[Greiv]

Thanks, a lot Z. I just ordered some books on Amazon so I'm well on my way. Thing is, I already know what Reason is. I'm not really into software either, even though my generation is supposed to be. ;D

Once again, I really appreciate your help in explaining what this is all about. And I'm pretty excited about the future and what it holds for meh.

[Z]

You can also check your local used bookstore and or library.

[Absence]

First of all, what tools do you need? I mean synthesizers, drum machines, samplers, any more? And how exactly does each one work?

As far as tools go, I must say that it is far better to explore one thing at a time when you start out. Start with a synth.

Keep in mind that choice of instruments is a very personal thing. A lot of it has to do with musical taste and timbral aesthetics. Those things also evolve over time. One of the best ways to search for equipment is to find out what different artists used or are using, and figure out which pieces you like best. Then figure out what you need your equipment to be able to do, and see which of your options meet your needs best.

My advice is two-fold: 1.) don't get something cheap that you're going to outgrow quickly, and 2.) don't get something so advanced that you lose interest in programming it in two days. Look through the synthesizers on the site and find out what you might be interested in.

This book receives my highest recommendation to anybody interested in subtractive synthesis: The Complete Guide to Synthesizers. As you can see, it's out of print, but there are a lot of copies wandering around. Check online used bookstores and eBay too.

Another resource I suggest is a series of articles released in Sound on Sound magazine called "Synth Secrets." They can all be found here: Synth Secrets. Start from the bottom of the page and work your way up.

The "Synth Secrets" articles will give you a good idea of the capabilities of many of the instruments featured on this site. It also helps if you listen to as many audio demos of the synths you're interested in as possible. There are plenty of other sites with samples of particular synthesizers.

*HINT: Always find a copy of the manual of a synth you're thinking about buying. Many manuals are available in PDF format and it will show you what you're up against as far as programming goes. This is also how you find out how each piece of gear works.

Every piece of gear is different and there are different features to each one, but through research you will find many of the common threads that link them together.

After you get used to programming your synth, and have some useful material, thinking about another piece of gear might not be a bad idea. If you do not like software, a flexible drum machine or a sampler might be in your future.

After you have enough instruments, then it's time to delve into recording. There is a lot to this subject, but I can say that if your not into the computer end of things, you're going to need a really good sequencer. I personally like recording to hard disk and I prefer digital audio over MIDI, but everybody has there own workflow. I tend to be the type of person who doesn't like the creative process hindered too much by menus, mouse clicks, and unecessary tweaking.

How come people have like 3 or 4 keyboard synthesizers? Wouldn't just one be enough?

That is a common question. The truth is that all of these products are different. Some excel where others flounder, and fail where the others succeed. Some are digital, and some are analog. Some are digital/analog hybrids. Some excel at dance music, while others are more useful to the progressive rock connoisseur. Some are easy to create sounds on, while others take a lot of time and energy to program.

There are synthesizers out there that are meant to be complete workstations. On some of them, it is possible to record whole albums. Why doesn't everyone have one of these? For several reasons: 1.) excessive cost, 2.) lots of annoying menus, 3.) never a big enough screen, 4.) there is a limit to any synth's sound designing capabilities, and 5.) a computer with a DAW (digital audio workstation) software package can often be bought more cheaply than many of these workstations.

What it comes down to is the sounds you want to have in your arsenal, and the methods you want at your disposal to save them and record your musical ideas.