Dubstepforum.com

Hey heads, I'm looking to purchase a plug-in synth rather soon as I'm growing out of operator a bit. You can do some awesome stuff with operator but you cant get any really big or thick sounds, or at least I cant. I dont have much money to splurge to fill up an arsenal of plug-ins, so I'm looking for one synth that you find to be the most versatile and use most often! I was thinking of fm-8 but a lot of the music i make isnt really concerned with heavy drops or growls. however that may not be all fm-8 as i have never used it, im considering buying a 'real instrument' sampler type thing, like orchestral sounds, as i love using brass and flutes and things like it, but my pad game is already lacking and needs some help. Maybe i'm asking for too much out of one synth here but im kind of looking for the jack of all trades to hold me off till i get more money to spend on plugs.

Lets hear those reccomendations? Thanks

http://www.kv331audio.com/

Synthmaster 2.5 got rated highly in a review i read and looks like it can do just about any type of synthesis going!

Z3ta 2

synthmaster looks really cool, but a bit complicated. im a complete newb when it comes to synthesis. ill have to do a bunch of demos. ill check out zeta also thanks

This looks cool and its got good review's


I (apparently) won a copy of it in March's computer music magazine when they announced me as a winner, but iv yet to receive it or any email notification.

looks like zeta is pc only :/, giving synthmaster a demo go now

Immerse wrote:im a complete newb when it comes to synthesis.

So why set yourself the task of learning another synth when you barely know what is going on? Stick with operator, you can get helluv thick sounds out of it. The problem is not with operator, the problem is with the operator, you. Not being a dick.

With that said, a very simple synth to use, that produces a very good sound is Massive. I think it should be everyone's first synth. Simple subtractive synthesis, big enough to see, and well laid out. Subtractive should be the basis of your synthesis knowledge, because it is the easiest to understand, control and build upon.

But nip this searching for new gear to cover the gaps of your knowledge shiz right now. It is a black hole that many people never emerge from. 4 realz.

Zebra 2. It's really awesome def look into it it has tons of capabilities and a really cool modular routing system. As far as dubstep basses type in like zebra electro bass in YouTube for some examples

nowaysj wrote:

Immerse wrote:im a complete newb when it comes to synthesis.

So why set yourself the task of learning another synth when you barely know what is going on? Stick with operator, you can get helluv thick sounds out of it. The problem is not with operator, the problem is with the operator, you. Not being a dick.

With that said, a very simple synth to use, that produces a very good sound is Massive. I think it should be everyone's first synth. Simple subtractive synthesis, big enough to see, and well laid out. Subtractive should be the basis of your synthesis knowledge, because it is the easiest to understand, control and build upon.

But nip this searching for new gear to cover the gaps of your knowledge shiz right now. It is a black hole that many people never emerge from. 4 realz.

youre completely on with this one, however i do feel that i need something a bit more advanced than operator. i just get baffled by these synths im demoing in comparison to operator. you may be right about massive though, i was trying to stay away from it simply because i dont want a generic sound.. but i can see it definitely being a good starting point.

Eat Bass wrote:Zebra 2. It's really awesome def look into it it has tons of capabilities and a really cool modular routing system. As far as dubstep basses type in like zebra electro bass in YouTube for some examples

I second this! Zebra, Zebralette and Zebra 2 are all fully amazing synths that get completely overlooked by way to many people. If you're not looking for something that'll give you a generic 'hard style' sound one of the Zebra Synths should nip- your fancy. They're great at making hanting plucked sounds, soundscapes, pads, keys e.t.c. Good at leads to, but seriously, the sound engine U-HE uses on these synths is SO WARM and clean, proper lush biz.

Zebralette is free by the way. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AneUIdArzDc

free..? i like free.. and the sounds you just described is basically everything im looking for. giving it a look now thanks fellahs
edit: just from watching that video i can tell im liking the layout, relatively simple, rather visual. im gonna give zebralette a go now

Also check out crystal... Bother freebie that comes highly recommend from ledge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlMD7MsipyQ this vid really shows off the capabilities of zebra. it looks like a lot of fun. and ive got crystal, i just could never really get into the interface. ill give it some more goes in the future though.

Ya that's the video I was talking about but that's not even the half of zebra either. There's another nice video of a guy using some complex methods and fm synthesis to make some seriously atmospheric and forever changing pads. Also it's cool there's an option on each osc to either sound bright and crisp like a really digital sound or warm and smooth like an analog synth. It's a really deep synth

Let me break this down real plain and simple... Synthesis, and sound, are physical sciences.

You might as well be asking what the most versatile calculator is, which calculator can do the most kinds of math. Fuckin senseless.

Learn the science that is additive/harmonic theory. Its not about what synth you use at all. They are doing the exact same things.

<== an example of the VST.

Get Tone2 Gladiator! It's the best

Basic A wrote:Learn the science that is additive/harmonic theory. Its not about what synth you use at all. They are doing the exact same things.

I see. You are correct in my OP being pretty idiotic/ignorant. but at least it yielded some good results

edit: gladiator looks scary. for an amateur like me at least. haha!

My Casio VL-Tone is a synth, calculator, and also does the exact same thing as massive

Immerse wrote:however i do feel that i need something a bit more advanced than operator.

I think maybe you've got this backwards, you want something simpler than operator, based on your self proclaimed synth nubishness.

Immerse wrote:i was trying to stay away from [massive] simply because i dont want a generic sound

Massive doesn't have a generic sound, just generic operators... (to extend the metaphore)

Zebra 2 is my fav synth, it really is a next level synth, but for nubishness... maybe not the best choice. Does sound amazing though.

maybe i knocked myself down a few too many pegs..what im saying is ive learned operator to the fullest and want something a bit more open-ended. zebralette seems to be doing this trick, it should keep me busy for quite a while. not to mention spare my weak bank account