Synthesis

[blazinaidan]

I started my days in production learning simple wobble synthesis and whatnot and I have a good grasp on the basics, but I soon moved way more into sampling. Now I'm interested in learning synthesis again, on a much deeper scale. I've been producing some OK sounds with the normal analog waves with filter settings of my choice and a bit of modulation, however I want to take my synthesis to the next level. I'm not going to ask a stupid question as to "how do you make synths sound gud? kthx", but is there much more to it than a nice handful of waves and the right filter settings? I hope so. If you guys can shed some light on other areas to experiment with I'd love it.

[Dreadfunk]

Which synth are you using? Subtractive synthesis is pretty much all about the wave and the filter, but you have to think outside the box to get those crazy sounds. Try modulating things with more than one LFO/ADSR at the same time, and modulate things you'd never think to modulate, like modulating an LFO with another LFO or ADSR. Experimenting is the only way man.

Play with Ring and Frequency modulation of your synth supports it. You can get some really interesting sounds that way.

After that it's all about effects. Effects are a HUGE part of the character of a sound.

[3za]

what you are talking about is just a small part of the synthesist arsenal, called subtractive synthesis.

here is a link that tells you about others;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthesize ... _synthesis

if you got any other questions about synths just shoot away

[nowaysj]

There are many other little sound manipulation circuits (for lack of a better word) on various subtractive synths that can yield amazing results. That's why when people say any synth can make any sound... not exactly true. Synths do have their character, just naitively, as well as additional little tricks that make them unique. In all honesty, intimate knowledge of these circuits and their techniques is the next level of subtractive wisdom. There is always a next level.

[Nacklewicket]

im no wizard whatsoever or even decent at synths. i use 3xosc and sytrus to do my own patches,ive found that the effects u put on it afterwards really requires a SOLID patch so start with..like been mentioned many times 'cant polish a turd'.. so i focus on making them patches ,instead of effects,effects are piece o cake just add stuff after ur own taste.. cant give u any decent tips & tricks but one would be dont worry too much about the fx,they wont make u a big sound if there arnt a big sound to begin with

[benjam]

im no wizard whatsoever or even decent at synths. i use 3xosc and sytrus to do my own patches,ive found that the effects u put on it afterwards really requires a SOLID patch so start with..like been mentioned many times 'cant polish a turd'.. so i focus on making them patches ,instead of effects,effects are piece o cake just add stuff after ur own taste.. cant give u any decent tips & tricks but one would be dont worry too much about the fx,they wont make u a big sound if there arnt a big sound to begin with

This , I always make sure ive done all I can within the synth before adding effects

[Basic A]

So, this is gonna sound passionless and like sheer busywork, but believe me itll help you out a bit... Open some tunes you really enjoy, and zoom waaay in so you can see the single cycles of the waveforms... Find a few cycles of your favorite synth in the tune, and look at it for a while, see what you can deduce... Does it have visible detuning to it? (i.e. that little changing-phase look reeces have when you zoom on them)... Is there alot of random harmonic stuff on top of a somewhat basic waveform (good sign of distortion or ect.)... Does the sound go from basic waveform to complex and back to basic (probably a filter sweep)...

From there, try using a synth w/ a waveform display (FL makes this really easy with those top-pane helper things), or like, voxengo span on the mixer or w/e, and try to recreate similar waves yourself... Watching the waveforms as you fool with your synth will teach you LOADs about how different waveforms interact, what different plugins do, ect. ect.

[nowaysj]

Watching the waveforms as you fool with your synth will teach you LOADs about how different waveforms interact, what different plugins do, ect. ect.

ah danielson, you speak good wisdom

[hifi]

¿sısǝɥʇuʎs

[blazinaidan]

So, this is gonna sound passionless and like sheer busywork, but believe me itll help you out a bit... Open some tunes you really enjoy, and zoom waaay in so you can see the single cycles of the waveforms... Find a few cycles of your favorite synth in the tune, and look at it for a while, see what you can deduce... Does it have visible detuning to it? (i.e. that little changing-phase look reeces have when you zoom on them)... Is there alot of random harmonic stuff on top of a somewhat basic waveform (good sign of distortion or ect.)... Does the sound go from basic waveform to complex and back to basic (probably a filter sweep)...

From there, try using a synth w/ a waveform display (FL makes this really easy with those top-pane helper things), or like, voxengo span on the mixer or w/e, and try to recreate similar waves yourself... Watching the waveforms as you fool with your synth will teach you LOADs about how different waveforms interact, what different plugins do, ect. ect.

THAT's a good idea! Good shit homie.

[Ldizzy]

im no wizard whatsoever or even decent at synths. i use 3xosc and sytrus to do my own patches,ive found that the effects u put on it afterwards really requires a SOLID patch so start with..like been mentioned many times 'cant polish a turd'.. so i focus on making them patches ,instead of effects,effects are piece o cake just add stuff after ur own taste.. cant give u any decent tips & tricks but one would be dont worry too much about the fx,they wont make u a big sound if there arnt a big sound to begin with

can agree with that but not completely... applies very well to most ''regular'' studio situations... like when u record performances and want to grasp the whole spectrum of an instrument... or of any audio phenomenon id refer to as natural... with those, its hard to add lots of content with denaturing the sound...

hwv.. with synthesis, u can make wonders with whatever... simply because there are close to no rules... or mental guidelines on how it should sound (in my book at least)

so, im agreeing on one point : its really easier to cut down or add nothing to a sound that already sits where it should.. definitely..

yet... im always amazed of how proper use of fx can bring even the dullest patch to life...

problem is people often wash things down with a single effect locked on sum very unhealthy settings...

stack a couple instead and a/b what u do to bring out harmonics/character... etc

also, when put in context, even a mere okay-patch can do a lot more then what the average meathead would think..

for this reason... ive really enjoyed the reso masterclass... at first sight, or should i say hearing... the man sounds like he spends days tweaking the crazyest fm based uber-articulate patches... turns out its just ur plain old midrange massive cack patch but cleaverly tweaked thru stacks of fx... and put in a proper context...

in the end those effects are there to emphasize and blurr chosen aspects of ur sound... its literally like sculpting.. and u can do a lot with it

so OP, imo.. get crazy with ur patches, do whatever, write tunes and put them in context... ull get way more out of em then by glorifying an idealized sound taken alone... the ultimate goal being to write tunes (well, i guess)...

oh and... as a matter of fact...