Welcome to the Blackout Audio Techno Forums :: Underground Network.
Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    BOA Newbie
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Huddersfield(ish)
    Posts
    8

    Default Synth programming --- walk through guides/tutorial's HELP!!!

    Hi, can anyone give me some websites with guides/walk throughs to programming synths...

    I'm after learning how to do the usual stuff, and work my way from there, I always end up with the same kinda stound when I try from scratch...

    I'm after every type of music really trance/techno/house/drun'n'bass b'lines/garage basses/ambient stuff/pads/hard leads etc, you name it, i like to get an idea of how its done.

    I've got a few different hard synth's from k-station to supernova, prophecy etc, but I aint making much progress, it's vital I learn to program before I can take my studio/production any further.
    I don't want to use softsynth's with loads of patches if I can help it...

    I think I'll be best starting to program a basic synth like my k-station and progress from that.

    So any info would be great.

    TIA Gary...

  2. #2
    Supreme Freak
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Belfast
    Posts
    601

    Default

    http://www.blackoutaudio.co.uk/phpBB...ic.php?t=34403

    has a good link to a free book

    its for softsynths but i'm sure the same rules apply, i have not read it yet

  3. #3
    Junior Freak
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    218

    Default

    buy "sound synthesis and sampling" that book ownz

  4. #4
    BOA Newbie
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    cheshire
    Posts
    10

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by hiroprotagonist
    buy "sound synthesis and sampling" that book ownz
    there a copy of that on ebay for about £11 might have a bid as it retails at £29.99

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...sPageName=WDVW

  5. #5
    BOA Newbie
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Huddersfield(ish)
    Posts
    8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by hiroprotagonist
    buy "sound synthesis and sampling" that book ownz
    hehe, I've just bought the this book, yet to start reading it...

    the theory of how synths work, and different types I'm fine with, I have allot of experience with filter's, oscillators etc being from a radio background...

    it's the sound design part where I seem to always end up with similar sounds all the time :cry: I know what I'm aiming for, it's just getting there lol.

    Thanks for the the info.

  6. #6
    BOA Lifetime Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Münster, Germany
    Posts
    2,753

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Dub
    Quote Originally Posted by hiroprotagonist
    buy "sound synthesis and sampling" that book ownz
    hehe, I've just bought the this book, yet to start reading it...

    the theory of how synths work, and different types I'm fine with, I have allot of experience with filter's, oscillators etc being from a radio background...

    it's the sound design part where I seem to always end up with similar sounds all the time :cry: I know what I'm aiming for, it's just getting there lol.

    Thanks for the the info.
    i'd recommend you start with loads of free presets for a certain synth, you can get loads of patches for free at patcharena.com for example.

    then see how certain stuff you like is done and go from there and try settings you liked on other synths. makes notes, perhaps...



    certain sounds rely on the fx that are put on them, either in the synth itself or later on, that can make a great difference, too...

    i see you prefer hardware but you can allways look at some softsynth presets and rebuild them on your hardware, esp. for novation stuff hardware synths like the bass station and so on have been redone as vstis so settings (presets) should be transferable to the hardware pretty easily, i guess...

    which i had all that gear :!:

  7. #7
    Junior Freak
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    316

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by messyfuture
    http://www.blackoutaudio.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=34403

    has a good link to a free book

    its for softsynths but i'm sure the same rules apply, i have not read it yet
    I've read certain sections and it's really good. It explains from the basics of what compression and fx are, when and where to use them, etc.
    Really good for begginer from what i've read. I haven't read all there is though yet.

  8. #8
    Junior Freak
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Brisbane, Australia
    Posts
    374

    Default

    Don't be afraid to use presets. They're really useful in fleshing out a skeleton for your track before refining the patch to suite your exact need. If you limit yourself to resynthesizing every patch every time you'll find that you forget where you were going with the idea for the track. I sometimes also like to just chuck any old random patch into a tune and mash the keyboard to experiment. It's usually not exactly what I want, but it gives me ideas if I'm stuck for inspiration.

  9. #9
    BOA Newbie
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Huddersfield(ish)
    Posts
    8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by danielmarshall
    Don't be afraid to use presets. They're really useful in fleshing out a skeleton for your track before refining the patch to suite your exact need. If you limit yourself to resynthesizing every patch every time you'll find that you forget where you were going with the idea for the track. I sometimes also like to just chuck any old random patch into a tune and mash the keyboard to experiment. It's usually not exactly what I want, but it gives me ideas if I'm stuck for inspiration.
    thats ok if you find a preset that fits the bill, i often know the sound i'm after... just knowing the ins & outs of getting it, I have played with soft synths before, and i do like the fact that there is often endless presets, which is handie if it inspires a track, or helps to pad out a part which is lacking.
    I know once i get into the whole thing i'll be ok, but whilst i don't get progress with my sounds, i don't get excited by switching on a synth lol.

    Like you say about resynthesizing, you can lose track on where your going with an idea, but if you don't have a suitable preset, or able to program the sound you like, then it's still stalemate.

    I've had a quick look at the online book that was recommended, and it look's an ideal basis for me to work from... think i will try the soft synth idea, see what comes from that, more presets than my hardware i guess lol

    Cheers

 

 

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Back to top