Any tips on learning how to use synthesizer?

[dylanlolwut]

I've been 'producing' music for 4 years now and I'm sick of spending hours looking for that particular sound it a preset pack.
I want to learn how to use/program synthesizers to make my own sounds. I've seen people in YouTube who just seem to know everything about building synths, I want to be able to do that! I just don't know his to start...

If anybody could help me from experience or know any websites that'll teach me everything there is to know about them I'd really appreciate it.
If its any help in knowing I use ableton. The vst's I have are analog ( the one I'd like to learn how to use), massive , Zebra2, and sylenth1, well they're the ones I try to use the most.

[Turnipish_Thoughts]

Is this so hard?

Honestly. for someone that's got Zebra2 and Massive and doesn't seem to know the slightest thing about synthesis You could spend all that time you've been torrenting software to, idk, do a bit of research

This question has been asked a million times by the way, I wouldn't expect a response any more helpful than this one.

Edit: The synths you use aren't analogue, this is an analogue synth. See? It's actually real, made out of analogue circuitry. Anything and everything 'in the box' is digital. It's really quite obvious that you haven't been producing for 4 years. I mean if you have then this really is tragic.

Edit 2: OK seeming as it looks like you've actually been quite active in various "how do I make this sound" threads I'll give you the benefit of the doubt (though I (and everyone else on here) still don't agree with blatant piracy. You should really check out this book. Also check out his other books, they're pretty standard 'go to' books for anyone serious in learning synthesis to an industry standard, they'll not make you a master by any mile, no book will. They'll give you what you need to know to explore your synths, which is where the mastery comes from.

You should also check out This Book which is literally one of the best compendiums of professional tier, truly in depth nitty gritty technical know how of pretty much every recording studio FX and application of such in a musical context you'll come across anywhere. It's an absolute must have for anyone serious into music production.

Lastly, you do know there are completely viable free options for music production, both in terms of instruments, FX and DAWS right? And no, they're not shit because they're free, if you know where and how to look, there's plenty of free options that rival, and actually surpass the big dollar options in a lot of respects. Just an fyi

[charles1]

hey

[Eridu]

Is this so hard?

Honestly. for someone that's got Zebra2 and Massive and doesn't seem to know the slightest thing about synthesis You could spend all that time you've been torrenting software to, idk, do a bit of research

This question has been asked a million times by the way, I wouldn't expect a response any more helpful than this one.

Edit: The synths you use aren't analogue, this is an analogue synth. See? It's actually real, made out of analogue circuitry. Anything and everything 'in the box' is digital. It's really quite obvious that you haven't been producing for 4 years. I mean if you have then this really is tragic.

Edit 2: OK seeming as it looks like you've actually been quite active in various "how do I make this sound" threads I'll give you the benefit of the doubt (though I (and everyone else on here) still don't agree with blatant piracy. You should really check out this book. Also check out his other books, they're pretty standard 'go to' books for anyone serious in learning synthesis to an industry standard, they'll not make you a master by any mile, no book will. They'll give you what you need to know to explore your synths, which is where the mastery comes from.

You should also check out This Book which is literally one of the best compendiums of professional tier, truly in depth nitty gritty technical know how of pretty much every recording studio FX and application of such in a musical context you'll come across anywhere. It's an absolute must have for anyone serious into music production.

Lastly, you do know there are completely viable free options for music production, both in terms of instruments, FX and DAWS right? And no, they're not shit because they're free, if you know where and how to look, there's plenty of free options that rival, and actually surpass the big dollar options in a lot of respects. Just an fyi

You sure showed him!!! I bet he wont pirate software no more!!!

[AxeD]

Subtractor was like the first thing I learned to use. Guess it's a different approach.

[Turnipish_Thoughts]

You sure showed him!!! I bet he wont pirate software no more!!!

Alright man, I'll just be cool with someone being pretty blahzay about piracy on a one of the bigest music production forums where loads of software developers frequent, cool? That way it'll really give a cool image of this website to them. It's a matter of principle man, it's not about getting him not to pirate shit. It ain't cool to be so flippant about that shit round here regardless of your personal beliefs. Or are you the kinda person to drop a fat one on your own doorstep too?

[benjam]

Proper good book, very well written and easy to follow, get the free pdf here:
http://noisesculpture.com/how-to-make-a ... rogramming

[dylanlolwut]

Is this so hard?

Honestly. for someone that's got Zebra2 and Massive and doesn't seem to know the slightest thing about synthesis You could spend all that time you've been torrenting software to, idk, do a bit of research

This question has been asked a million times by the way, I wouldn't expect a response any more helpful than this one.

Edit: The synths you use aren't analogue, this is an analogue synth. See? It's actually real, made out of analogue circuitry. Anything and everything 'in the box' is digital. It's really quite obvious that you haven't been producing for 4 years. I mean if you have then this really is tragic.

Edit 2: OK seeming as it looks like you've actually been quite active in various "how do I make this sound" threads I'll give you the benefit of the doubt (though I (and everyone else on here) still don't agree with blatant piracy. You should really check out this book. Also check out his other books, they're pretty standard 'go to' books for anyone serious in learning synthesis to an industry standard, they'll not make you a master by any mile, no book will. They'll give you what you need to know to explore your synths, which is where the mastery comes from.



You should also check out This Book which is literally one of the best compendiums of professional tier, truly in depth nitty gritty technical know how of pretty much every recording studio FX and application of such in a musical context you'll come across anywhere. It's an absolute must have for anyone serious into music production.

Lastly, you do know there are completely viable free options for music production, both in terms of instruments, FX and DAWS right? And no, they're not shit because they're free, if you know where and how to look, there's plenty of free options that rival, and actually surpass the big dollar options in a lot of respects. Just an fyi

first off, no need to be dick about it the whole thing.You were helpful in a way ill give you that but not cool acting like that when someone is just looking for some help..
second, i never said i pirated the vst's? Even if i was to pirate software or anything like it i would buy it after i used it. i did it for reason and ableton! Nothing good comes from pirating at the end of the day.
Third, i do have some free vsts and effects. I dont have many now because the ones i saw that looked interesting to me were on compatible with PC, i did have a pc but it eventually gave up on me.It served me well

fourth, i have been 'producing' for four years I put producing in quotation marks because i use that term loosely.. More messing around with it than actually being serious about, but now i do want to take it more seriously and actually learn how to use the programs more to my advantage because i've more free time.

[Turnipish_Thoughts]

first off, no need to be dick about it the whole thing.You were helpful in a way ill give you that but not cool acting like that when someone is just looking for some help..
second, i never said i pirated the vst's? Even if i was to pirate software or anything like it i would buy it after i used it. i did it for reason and ableton! Nothing good comes from pirating at the end of the day.
Third, i do have some free vsts and effects. I dont have many now because the ones i saw that looked interesting to me were on compatible with PC, i did have a pc but it eventually gave up on me.It served me well

fourth, i have been 'producing' for four years I put producing in quotation marks because i use that term loosely.. More messing around with it than actually being serious about, but now i do want to take it more seriously and actually learn how to use the programs more to my advantage because i've more free time.

You didn't have to actually mention piracy. It's contextually obvious because you say you have Zebra2 [$199], Massive [€199] and in another post you also say you have Diva [$179]. Yet you haven't put in the time to read the manuals of these synths you've spent the better half of a grand on, something you would have done if you had have put out of pocket for, and something that would have taught you lots about synth programming simply by reading them and spending the time getting to know the synths you have dedicated yourself to through choice of purchase. Buying a synth like Zebra, Massive or Diva isn't something you do on the fly, and they generally become the main stay of your synthesis endeavors. As in, just one of them usually becomes that for people. Not three to which you haven't even given the basic attention prerequisite to learning synthesis, you can learn by simply RTFM'ing. Get where I'm coming from. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to observe your demographic, so what I'm saying if anything is, be a bit more smart about what you let come across about yourself on here. If you're wanting to get in to production more, and spent a lot of time in here, you'll notice the general policy about talking about that kinda shit. You'll pick it up. I mean go check the forum rules, there's a bit specifically about piracy and talking about that kinda shit and what happens if you keep appearing questionable over that sorta stuff. That 'questionable' stuff is the exact kinda shit I picked up in your post, and be lucky I wasn't Wub or someone and have just expressed my views about it and not something a bit more formal that a mod could have easily decided on if it was them talking to you and not me.

See this is like a home to some of us, we've spent a long time here and we take care about it's public appearance, that's what it comes down to. It doesn't matter what your views are between friends and behind closed doors or over PM or whatever, but if everyone went about discussing certain things openly on the forum, the reputation of this site would quickly go south big time, and I for one wouldn't like that to happen. So at least I hope this has been a little educating to you about where I'm coming from. I didn't intend on coming across like a dick but to the contrary. If you're going to ask a question, at least check your grammar and spelling and put a little effort in to your OP at least, if you come across like a bit of a potato head you're not really going to get productive responses.

[dylanlolwut]

Proper good book, very well written and easy to follow, get the free pdf here:
http://noisesculpture.com/how-to-make-a ... rogramming

cheers man ill have a look at it

[dylanlolwut]

first off, no need to be dick about it the whole thing.You were helpful in a way ill give you that but not cool acting like that when someone is just looking for some help..
second, i never said i pirated the vst's? Even if i was to pirate software or anything like it i would buy it after i used it. i did it for reason and ableton! Nothing good comes from pirating at the end of the day.
Third, i do have some free vsts and effects. I dont have many now because the ones i saw that looked interesting to me were on compatible with PC, i did have a pc but it eventually gave up on me.It served me well

fourth, i have been 'producing' for four years I put producing in quotation marks because i use that term loosely.. More messing around with it than actually being serious about, but now i do want to take it more seriously and actually learn how to use the programs more to my advantage because i've more free time.

You didn't have to actually mention piracy. It's contextually obvious because you say you have Zebra2 [$199], Massive [€199] and in another post you also say you have Diva [$179]. Yet you haven't put in the time to read the manuals of these synths you've spent the better half of a grand on, something you would have done if you had have put out of pocket for, and something that would have taught you lots about synth programming simply by reading them and spending the time getting to know the synths you have dedicated yourself to through choice of purchase. Buying a synth like Zebra, Massive or Diva isn't something you do on the fly, and they generally become the main stay of your synthesis endeavors. As in, just one of them usually becomes that for people. Not three to which you haven't even given the basic attention prerequisite to learning synthesis, you can learn by simply RTFM'ing. Get where I'm coming from. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to observe your demographic, so what I'm saying if anything is, be a bit more smart about what you let come across about yourself on here. If you're wanting to get in to production more, and spent a lot of time in here, you'll notice the general policy about talking about that kinda shit. You'll pick it up. I mean go check the forum rules, there's a bit specifically about piracy and talking about that kinda shit and what happens if you keep appearing questionable over that sorta stuff. That 'questionable' stuff is the exact kinda shit I picked up in your post, and be lucky I wasn't Wub or someone and have just expressed my views about it and not something a bit more formal that a mod could have easily decided on if it was them talking to you and not me.

See this is like a home to some of us, we've spent a long time here and we take care about it's public appearance, that's what it comes down to. It doesn't matter what your views are between friends and behind closed doors or over PM or whatever, but if everyone went about discussing certain things openly on the forum, the reputation of this site would quickly go south big time, and I for one wouldn't like that to happen. So at least I hope this has been a little educating to you about where I'm coming from. I didn't intend on coming across like a dick but to the contrary. If you're going to ask a question, at least check your grammar and spelling and put a little effort in to your OP at least, if you come across like a bit of a potato head you're not really going to get productive responses.

I did buy them though. paid full price for zebra yeah saw some reviews of it and it looked great.Turns out using the actual program isn't as easy as it looks. The whole reason why i posted this on the forum was because i'd like to get my money out of the program. Only paid €99 for massive though, was on sale and decided to nab it. Dont really like it though cause that seems to be associated with the likes of skrillex and when ive mentioned massive to people skrillex always pops up the conversation. Dont hate skrillex or his music, its his fan base that annoys me. And for diva, I only had the trial version.

If anything, i'd like to just learn how to use abletons instrument, analog. If i learnt how to use that to my advantage i'd be pretty proud of myself. Also when i tried reading the manuals it didnt really make sense to me. I'm more of a 'watch someone use it' and then ill know how to use it. Thats just the easiest way to learning something new to me, always has been!
See if someone had a video showing how you use these programs that'd be great for me. When i tried searching the web all i get would be videos like ' HOW TO MAKE A SKRILLEX GROWL' or some shit like that.

I'll accept that half apology i guess and i had a feeling my grammar was a bit off last night..Was kind of half asleep but wanted to post it then to hopefully see some positive responses today

[Turnipish_Thoughts]

tbh you probably just caught me on a bad day. I'm usually pretty helpful. I think what ticked me off at first was you asking a question that's been asked a million times on here, something that you could have gotten the answer to if you'd used the search function. But hey, here goes...

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... 1#p3096998 and http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... 0#p3099253

-

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... l#p2393440

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... 6#p2664635

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... 4#p2423072

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... 0#p3121988

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... 1#p2807558


These should get you well on your way to getting your head round synthesis, FX and musical theory. Friends again?

Sorry for being a bit of a tnuc

[dylanlolwut]

tbh you probably just caught me on a bad day. I'm usually pretty helpful. I think what ticked me off at first was you asking a question that's been asked a million times on here, something that you could have gotten the answer to if you'd used the search function. But hey, here goes...

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... 1#p3096998 and http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... 0#p3099253

-

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... l#p2393440

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... 6#p2664635

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... 4#p2423072

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... 0#p3121988



http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... 1#p2807558


These should get you well on your way to getting your head round synthesis, FX and musical theory. Friends again?

Sorry for being a bit of a tnuc

furck! okay i can understand your frustration now lol should of done a bit more research..
But yeah ill check them links out. see if theres anymore useful things i can get!
Im gonna read the 'how to make a noise' file first.

yeah... we coo'

sorry for being a noob

[charles1]

hmmm

[alphacat]

Honestly?

Buy an old, cheap hardware synth with a decent level of modulation options (something like a Korg Poly 800) and just fuck with it inside out. There's something about tweaking a tangible device as opposed to software dialogue boxes that lets you feel how much progress you're making.

[frenchboy]

How to make a noise book is pretty good because it includes some ear training but even after you read that, you'll have to go on youtube and recreate sounds from tutorials and really analyze what every change to the sound do. I usually put an equalizer as well so I can not only hear but also see the changes in the sound. You gotta do that for a lot of hours and then at some point you'll just know what some features of sounds you like are, and you'll know how to make them. It's basically ear training. There's no books or course that's gonna make you good at it, you gotta go through the movements like going to the gym.

[fragments]

Honestly?

Buy an old, cheap hardware synth with a decent level of modulation options (something like a Korg Poly 800) and just fuck with it inside out. There's something about tweaking a tangible device as opposed to software dialogue boxes that lets you feel how much progress you're making.

Really good advice. I read about, watched about and fooled around with softsynths for a long time. Then got my first VA. Everything fell together. The limitations help tons too. It makes you really think about what you don't have and why you would use it. Where as in your DAW you have infinite options--that's a really tough place to begin from if you know nothing or next to nothing. Hell, it's still a terrible place to begin for me!