Why are synths so different? <---- newbie question alert !

[augmented5th]

Hello,

Let's for the moment consider analog substractive synthesis. If I understand the basics correctly,
a given analog synth will have 1, 2, or n oscillators which are (wave) function generators, giving one of a few possible waveforms (sine,triangle,saw,ramp,pulse,noise,etc)

filters (LPF,HPF,BPF,etc) , VCA, EG and one or more LFOs.

Great. Assuming we know the basic functions of these basic components (I think i do at the basic level),
then two questions come to my mind:

1- Why, after trying out with several analog synths and their manuals (in reality just VST emulators really, Arturia & Korg mainly), I can't get the full timbral range of sounds? Is this because I haven't yet mastering the notion of sub synthesis ?

2- Why would analog synths be capable of their own sounds (patches) that others don't have? Is it theoretically possible to reproduce all the patches in one synth on another? If so then what gives a synth its own character other than the engineering quality of the components?

I realize my question is a bit wordy (long) , but I hope the questions come across.

Thanks.

[Kai VejaR]

1- Why, after trying out with several analog synths and their manuals (in reality just VST emulators really, Arturia & Korg mainly), I can't get the full timbral range of sounds? Is this because I haven't yet mastering the notion of sub synthesis ?

2- Why would analog synths be capable of their own sounds (patches) that others don't have? Is it theoretically possible to reproduce all the patches in one synth on another? If so then what gives a synth its own character other than the engineering quality of the components?

Hi,

1. You might try to use a 'preset randomizer' like e.g in Chainer or EnergyXT VST hosts. With that you can 'feed' a VSTi with random parameters. This way you might discover hence unknown sonic possibilities of your synths 'sound palette'.
It's always a favourite of mine for discovering new sounds!

2. Good question! I'm curious about that myself
Of course different synthesis methods have different sonic possibilities. FM & PD synthesis is different from analog subtractive synths.

Good luck!

Kai.

[KingofBeers]

2. Programmers of Software synths or Hardware V/A's have different algorithyms and ideas that try to offer something different, Oscillators in one synth will sound brighter or duller in another, the modulation possibilies are another differing factor, plus the many number of differnt feeling 24db lowpass filters (all the other filters too) ...those types of things is what gives them a character.

It's true that synths can impersonate each other to some extent..but 9/10 times they can do something different also.....well you'd like to think so lol.

Cheers.