KVR Audio

Fckthwrld · Post by **Fckthwrld** » Wed Aug 17, 2016 1:53 pm

Hello there,

as i stated i want to get into Subtractive Synthesis, maybe with a book or a learning software. Are Ableton Synthesizers suitable?

Greetings

Fckthwrld

RichieWitch · Post by **RichieWitch** » Wed Aug 17, 2016 2:24 pm

While Analog, Ableton's subtractive synth would be suitable, I don't think the interface is particularly intuitive for learning subtractive synthesis. I would download a free copy of Ichiro Toda's Synth1. I think this would be a much easier synth to learn with.

https://www.kvraudio.com/product/synth1-by-ichiro-toda

ATN69 · Post by **ATN69** » Wed Aug 17, 2016 2:28 pm

One advice. Get yourself an oscilloscope plugin so you can watch the signal at the same time as you are tweaking the synth. There are free oscilloscope plugins as well. It will be easier to understand what the different functions are doing.

thecontrolcentre · Post by **thecontrolcentre** » Wed Aug 17, 2016 2:38 pm

Analog will certainly do the job, but also have a look at Basic from Audio Damage. It's designed to be a 'beginners' synth, and has a good sound.

http://www.audiodamage.com/instruments/ ... ?pid=AD033

EdSevered · Post by **EdSevered** » Wed Aug 17, 2016 2:54 pm

ATN69 wrote:One advice. Get yourself an oscilloscope plugin so you can watch the signal at the same time as you are tweaking the synth. There are free oscilloscope plugins as well. It will be easier to understand what the different functions are doing.

Wow! That makes perfect sense! So simple, yet easily overlooked. Thank you, ATN69! It would be great if this kind of info was available all in one location/thread. I am also still learning the basics and have not seen this tip, before now.

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Wed Aug 17, 2016 3:17 pm

Check this one out: http://www.kvraudio.com/product/tal-noi ... ne/details The perfect learning synth. Easy, clear, free, and sounding good.

RichieWitch · Post by **RichieWitch** » Wed Aug 17, 2016 5:04 pm

ATN69 wrote:One advice. Get yourself an oscilloscope plugin so you can watch the signal at the same time as you are tweaking the synth. There are free oscilloscope plugins as well. It will be easier to understand what the different functions are doing.

My advice would be somewhat different. I would say get a free spectrum analyzer plugin instead.

Keeping in mind that the basis of subtractive synthesis is creating highly harmonic content and then "subtracting" some of those harmonics using filters and envelopes. On a scope, one slightly-lopsided squarewave is going to look a lot like another.

However, a spectrum analyzer is going to show you all those little peaks that represent the harmonic content and you will see dramatic shifts across the spectrum as you work with the synth's controls. Fred Welsh has written two "cookbooks" that teach you to build any synthesizer sound by replicating it's harmonic spectrum as seen on a spectrum analyzer.

So I'd recommend a spectrum analyzer for subtractive synthesis. Save the oscilloscope for wavetable synthesis.

EdSevered · Post by **EdSevered** » Wed Aug 17, 2016 5:11 pm

RichieWitch wrote:
ATN69 wrote:One advice. Get yourself an oscilloscope plugin so you can watch the signal at the same time as you are tweaking the synth. There are free oscilloscope plugins as well. It will be easier to understand what the different functions are doing.
My advice would be somewhat different. I would say get a free spectrum analyzer plugin instead.

Keeping in mind that the basis of subtractive synthesis is creating highly harmonic content and then "subtracting" some of those harmonics using filters and envelopes. On a scope, one slightly-lopsided squarewave is going to look a lot like another.

However, a spectrum analyzer is going to show you all those little peaks that represent the harmonic content and you will see dramatic shifts across the spectrum as you work with the synth's controls. Fred Welsh has written two "cookbooks" that teach you to build any synthesizer sound by replicating it's harmonic spectrum as seen on a spectrum analyzer.

So I'd recommend a spectrum analyzer for subtractive synthesis. Save the oscilloscope for wavetable synthesis.

Thank you for the clarification Rich!

RichieWitch · Post by **RichieWitch** » Wed Aug 17, 2016 5:14 pm

EdSevered wrote:Thank you for the clarification Rich!

rod_zero · Post by **rod_zero** » Wed Aug 17, 2016 5:41 pm

Analog is suitable for learning. If you want a well designed interactive course check out syntorial http://syntorial.com/ Download the Demo and start some lessons.

Guenon · Post by **Guenon** » Sat Aug 20, 2016 2:29 pm

Another vote for Syntorial. If you're new to (basic subtractive) synthesis, it's very good. It's also a nice touch that the synth you use in the interactive lessons works as an actual VSTi as well

davidka · Post by **davidka** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 9:08 am

Check discounted or used prices for FXPansion Strobe2, it is well documented, GUI is responsive and it sounds robust.

GaryG · Post by **GaryG** » Wed Aug 31, 2016 10:10 am

EdSevered wrote:My advice would be somewhat different. I would say get a free spectrum analyzer plugin instead.

I think both are very useful (and as there are plenty of free ones around it's not like you have to choose with your wallet or anything.

)

I find an oscilloscope very useful for seeing how different modulations alter a wave; how the lfo routed to the pwm changes the wave shape etc. For overall sound then, yes, a SA is great but I think the oscilloscope has a place down in the nitty gritty of sound design too.

I want to learn Subtractive Synthesis - are Ableton onboard Synths good for this?