KVR Audio

Knunoen · Post by **Knunoen** » Thu Mar 26, 2020 5:14 am

Hi guys,

I assume I'm in the right place... and god I hope I'm not the umpteenth person who's asked this question.

I'm interested in making music using synthesizers but I really don't know much about them or where to start. I'm from a "play by ear" background and I've been soaking up everything about the virtual side of music with MIDI, VST's, DAW, Plugins (I figure these are like downloadable programs?) but still have no clue??? I just need to know where to start.

I love the Synthwave genre, artists such as Carpenter Brut, Gunship, Miami Nights 1984 and would like to focus in that direction but also love techno, trance and ambient (MK soundtrack 1995), Ferry Corsten, Underworld, Daft Punk.

That's about it.

johnwoo · Post by **johnwoo** » Thu Mar 26, 2020 6:01 am

Get Cakewalk as a DaW , it's free , have also synths and drum maschine , not the best ,but good enough to start make music. U-he Tyrel no 6 , Obxd (the free one , not discoDSP, you find one on KVR) and Surge (now is free) as a synth . And you are good to go . Remember there are many tutorials on youtube , help you start . Good Luck !!!

nix808 · Post by **nix808** » Thu Mar 26, 2020 6:08 am

hiya!
Is your instrument keyboard?
Whatever you want to play,
computers just rock

I was just thinking(if capable) and I recommend a free DAW,
https://www.bandlab.com/products/cakewalk

Check him out if you like, Sonar used to cost ur first born son,
but this composing environment is free now

You can start a track however/with whatever in there with some head-scratching,
it's not really my unit, but it sounded like it would be a cool start
- I take it you're on a Windows computer?

Also if you want to play keyboard, a quick soundcard is another thing

Plugins are like additional soft that mates/plugs in with the composing program/DAW

edit- yeah I thought the same as far as DAW JohnWoo

roman.i · Post by **roman.i** » Thu Mar 26, 2020 6:18 am

You need an "Electronic music production video course" to get started. I suggest Lynda courses, they are very good for beginners.

Winstontaneous · Post by **Winstontaneous** » Thu Mar 26, 2020 6:28 am

Hi there Knunoen, welcome to KVR!

Honestly, having a musical ear and a direction are the most important things, and you've already got both of those!

I suggest getting a DAW that has tight integration with a MIDI controller, and really exploring the tools in that DAW before spending time/money on external plugins. My favorite in this regard is Ableton Live 10 Suite with Push 2 controller.

Knunoen · Post by **Knunoen** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 12:13 am

Johnwoo - Thanks! I'll start with Cakewalk. I really appreciate it. I also love the Ob-X sound so I'll definitely check out that vst...(the free one).

Nix808 - Yes(?), my instrument will be a digital piano or Midi. I've heard good reviews about the Studiologic SL88 but then again, I'm totally new to all of this and may just get a less expensive controller. I am a Windows user, yes. I'm really not familiar with Macintosh. Again, thank you!

Roman.i - Yes, I totally forgot about Lynda courses, thanks!

Winstontaneous - Thank you!

I've played just about anything I can get my hands on, by ear. My problem is that my mind changes so fast that it's hard to stay focused on music and my other interests. I have been looking into Ableton Live but I think I will try the Cakewalk first, for expense reasons. Making music is just fun, whether in your head or with a group of people.

Thanks everyone!

Passing Bye · Post by **Passing Bye** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 12:31 am

I second Cakewalk suggestion and starting with freeware synths like Tyrell, Surge, Obxd, Synth1, PG8X, Dexed, SQ8L, Charlatan and the likes, there's so many good ones for the genre.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ0oJ0G-SJM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDZciwA9-CU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja1CzMsmjPA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFfxBRZLZQ4

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 12:43 am

I don't use Cakewalk, but, I think this is a good recommendation:

johnwoo wrote: ↑Thu Mar 26, 2020 6:01 am Get Cakewalk as a DaW , it's free , have also synths and drum maschine , not the best ,but good enough to start make music. U-he Tyrel no 6 , Obxd (the free one , not discoDSP, you find one on KVR) and Surge (now is free) as a synth . And you are good to go . Remember there are many tutorials on youtube , help you start . Good Luck !!!

vitocorleone123 · Post by **vitocorleone123** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 7:19 pm

I'd get Tracktion Waveform 11 Free instead of Cakewalk in a heartbeat. And then, yeah, some free stuff as mentioned here.

ANA2 is a good waveform synth on sale for $55 for a time. You might also check out Phonec by PsychicModulation - I think it's around $70. Also, TAL-U-NO-LX (Juno emulation) is ~$60.

Finally, YouTube videos are your friend, but not as much as just getting in there and MAKING MUSIC. Even if you think it sucks. You can only get better by doing it. So do it.

CountofAlDente · Post by **CountofAlDente** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 6:56 am

I'm a pre-beginner. Am I correct in the assumption that I need an external music keyboard? I've installed PG-8X but don't know what the next step is.

BertKoor · Post by **BertKoor** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 7:06 am

CountofAlDente wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2020 6:56 am I'm a pre-beginner. Am I correct in the assumption that I need an external music keyboard? I've installed PG-8X but don't know what the next step is.

No, a keyboard is nice but not necessary.

PG-8X is a VST Plugin. You need a host aka DAW (Digital Audio Workstation - virtual studio) to plug it into.
Easiest is this one: https://www.hermannseib.com/english/vsthost.htm
The only thing it does is "hosting" a plugin: supplying the plugin with input (notes) and handling its output (sound)ippets

Next step up is a DAW where you can record midi notes and / or audio snippets.

Kingell · Post by **Kingell** » Thu Apr 02, 2020 4:29 pm

Does anyone on here know the sysex commands to change banks on a Triton VST please?

CountofAlDente · Post by **CountofAlDente** » Mon May 18, 2020 3:13 pm

Thanks for your reply. I'm on a Mac laptop. I put the plug-in into the Audio Plug-In/VST folder. Garageband doesn't seem to recognize it. I'll see what other DAW's I can find.

PG-8X is a VST Plugin. You need a host aka DAW (Digital Audio Workstation - virtual studio) to plug it into.
Easiest is this one: https://www.hermannseib.com/english/vsthost.htm
The only thing it does is "hosting" a plugin: supplying the plugin with input (notes) and handling its output (sound)ippets

Next step up is a DAW where you can record midi notes and / or audio snippets.
[/quote]

BertKoor · Post by **BertKoor** » Mon May 18, 2020 3:37 pm

CountofAlDente wrote: ↑Mon May 18, 2020 3:13 pmI'm on a Mac laptop. I put the plug-in into the Audio Plug-In/VST folder. Garageband doesn't seem to recognize it. I'll see what other DAW's I can find.

The problem is probably not with GarageBand, but in the location where you have put the plugin. All DAWs use the same plugin locations.
There's a couple of combinations (what's downloaded, and location folder) so it's easy to get wrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zWVHq8P7sE

Erisian · Post by **Erisian** » Mon May 18, 2020 3:42 pm

I recommend Cakewalk as it is free and good. If you download it, do download the optional instruments too.

Greenhorn of Synths