why is Reaktor even involved in this conversation?
Just download a bunch of freeware synths and cut your teeth on them.
THEN you can work out what type of timbres and tones you like.
Save your money.
Best soft synth for beginners? Reaktor 6/Dune 2/Omnisphere/Zebra 2?
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- KVRAF
- 6208 posts since 25 Dec, 2004
yeah Reaktor is PERFECT for people new to synthesis...
why is Reaktor even involved in this conversation?
Just download a bunch of freeware synths and cut your teeth on them.
THEN you can work out what type of timbres and tones you like.
Save your money.
why is Reaktor even involved in this conversation?
Just download a bunch of freeware synths and cut your teeth on them.
THEN you can work out what type of timbres and tones you like.
Save your money.
sketches... http://soundcloud.com/onesnzeros
some artists i support... https://bandcamp.com/spectraselecta
some artists i support... https://bandcamp.com/spectraselecta
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- KVRAF
- 2393 posts since 29 Jun, 2005 from La La Land
I've been thinking the same thing myself.sqigls wrote:yeah Reaktor is PERFECT for people new to synthesis...
why is Reaktor even involved in this conversation?
I actually think the op's question was done in jest. I believe strongly that none of those choices are great for beginners. This is only my opinion. I mean on the surface, one could possibly make an argument that Dune 2 could be a candidate synth for a beginner. I've been pondering this for a while and still cannot come up with a clear-cut answer only because what seems easy to someone, boils down to their own perception. No one elses. For instance lots of people mention how easy Sylenth1 is and how the workflow is so fantastic, but my perception is that it effing blows to program it, and I can't stand using it. The only reason I do use it, is because it's one of the best sounding synth plugins hands down in my opinion. On the other hand I love to program Omnisphere which many have said in the past that they are really not into it. The moral of the story is, that one has to try many demos to see which one he or she perceives as being easy to use. I wish I could even come close to recommending a particular synth plugin for beginners, but I can't. It's been great food for thought though.
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- KVRian
- 1114 posts since 6 Jul, 2009
LOL, because the OP specifically asked about it?sqigls wrote:yeah Reaktor is PERFECT for people new to synthesis...
why is Reaktor even involved in this conversation?
Just download a bunch of freeware synths and cut your teeth on them.
THEN you can work out what type of timbres and tones you like.
Save your money.
And the advice to start with a free synth and then go paid has been given several times. Including by me. But also being discussed was that the OP has a chance to get Reaktor for $100 -- which is a good deal, and frankly, learning from Reaktor has merits, even if it's in addition to the freebies.
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- KVRian
- 1114 posts since 6 Jul, 2009
Yeah, I haven't used Csound in a while myself (I'm firmly now in the camp of using instruments rather than designing them), but it was a great intro to synthesis. And Reaktor is definitely easier to use.InLight-Tone wrote:I spent many many years in Csound, that is a mind f**k for sure but it was the first softsynth that you could play in real time from a computer so I was all over it. Reaktor is WAY easier than that.
I think for the OP that Zebra + Reaktor is a great combo. Zebra is immediate, there's tons of presets available and it covers so many genres. Reaktor is best for long term, you'll never exhaust it...
Honestly, Reaktor isn't difficult -- many people just don't attempt to learn anything in a structured way, which is why it remains elusive and seemingly confusing.
But again, freebies are probably going to best for the OP right now.
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- KVRAF
- 1724 posts since 31 Dec, 2004 from betwixt
Of those listed, Dune2 or Zebra2. The other two have too much fiddling with samples and irrelevant fluffy distraction going on.
And I'm an Omnisphere / Spectrasonics fanboigirl, devotee, cult follower, slayer of heretics, etc.
I mean look at Zebra 2. Look at it. If I'd had something like that when I first got into synthesis, rather than the hardware menu-diver I had to deal with... I'd be some kind of God version of Deadmau5, Vangelis and Hans Zimmer.
It's beautiful how well it's set up. It's mind-numbingly apparent how note-on snakes around through the synth to result in tinnitus.
And I'm an Omnisphere / Spectrasonics fanboigirl, devotee, cult follower, slayer of heretics, etc.
I mean look at Zebra 2. Look at it. If I'd had something like that when I first got into synthesis, rather than the hardware menu-diver I had to deal with... I'd be some kind of God version of Deadmau5, Vangelis and Hans Zimmer.
It's beautiful how well it's set up. It's mind-numbingly apparent how note-on snakes around through the synth to result in tinnitus.
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- KVRer
- 6 posts since 11 Jul, 2016
This web synth came out recently. The UI spells it out simply for beginners. It sounds nice too electrictelepathy.com/web-apps/fluoresynth
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- KVRer
- 6 posts since 12 Mar, 2015 from Mississippi, USA
I believe Dune 2 woyld be best to start with. Them move to Omnisphere 2. Then after those 2 move on to Blue 2 from rob papen. But all in all. Start with what works best for you. You will never stop learning sound design. Always learning something new. Or start with one of your daws basic synths? Then move up buying any one you like.
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- KVRian
- 968 posts since 10 Feb, 2017
Hive is excellent to learn on. Very simple but vast in capabilities. It allows with its clean, dirty, normal to shake things up if you don't like the sound. It's easy understand what is going on with it.
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Echoes in the Attic Echoes in the Attic https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=180417
- KVRAF
- 11996 posts since 12 May, 2008
None of these are great for beginners. Best for beginners is fixed architecture with most controls visible at once (or almost). Classics like a minimoog emulation or with a basic mod matrix like sylenth1.
However, Reaktor isn't really that bad of a place to start because the factory library comes with many straight forward synths that are good to learn on. Plus, what really makes you understand synths, especially modulation, is seeing how different synths approach similar things. With only one synth, it's harder to understand the underlying concept as you focus on the specific way that one is designed. For example an envelope might have a velocity sensitivity control. Another might not but has a mod matrix and you'd eventually figure out that assigning velocity to the envelope depth achieves the same thing. And then other modulations start to make sense as well etc. so the good thing with Reaktor is that there are many there to learn with. You don't need to design synths of course, or use the crazy complex ones at first.
But regardless, I would always suggest getting ahold of the amazing freebies out there first like the CM synths (just buy one digital copy of CM), u-he Tyrell n6, synth1, OBXD, Dexed, Charlatan, the full bucket synths (so many), the TAL synths etc.
However, Reaktor isn't really that bad of a place to start because the factory library comes with many straight forward synths that are good to learn on. Plus, what really makes you understand synths, especially modulation, is seeing how different synths approach similar things. With only one synth, it's harder to understand the underlying concept as you focus on the specific way that one is designed. For example an envelope might have a velocity sensitivity control. Another might not but has a mod matrix and you'd eventually figure out that assigning velocity to the envelope depth achieves the same thing. And then other modulations start to make sense as well etc. so the good thing with Reaktor is that there are many there to learn with. You don't need to design synths of course, or use the crazy complex ones at first.
But regardless, I would always suggest getting ahold of the amazing freebies out there first like the CM synths (just buy one digital copy of CM), u-he Tyrell n6, synth1, OBXD, Dexed, Charlatan, the full bucket synths (so many), the TAL synths etc.
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- KVRAF
- 16724 posts since 13 Oct, 2009
I can't believe that Reaktor and Omnisphere have the same number of votes. Crazy!
Just get Reaktor, like there's any real competition.
Just get Reaktor, like there's any real competition.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 61 posts since 2 Sep, 2015
Just to inform you, in the end I got spire and I am really happy with it!!!
I'm getting better.. every day a little.. and when I have the feeling that I understand all of this synth, Ill give Reaktor or Zebra 2 a try.
I'm getting better.. every day a little.. and when I have the feeling that I understand all of this synth, Ill give Reaktor or Zebra 2 a try.
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- KVRAF
- 3506 posts since 12 May, 2011
Ah yes - fish!wurschtel wrote:Just to inform you, in the end I got spire and I am really happy with it!!!
I'm getting better.. every day a little.. and when I have the feeling that I understand all of this synth, Ill give Reaktor or Zebra 2 a try.
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- KVRian
- 743 posts since 29 Nov, 2015
Actually one advice would be to get a couple of demos, for example, the spire demo is very usable and the noise is not that irritating, u-he demos is also very usable but has more annoying crackles, overall i'd say install all u-he demos and a few other companies demos and play around with them from time to time is a good advice, get a feel for which ones that clicks the most with your workflow. The only "bad" thing about it is that youll probably be pleasantly surprised and want to buy a few of them.
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- KVRian
- 702 posts since 19 Mar, 2014 from Denver, CO
Why wouldn't Reaktor be part of the conversation?
With all the free ensembles out there for various fixed or even modular architecture synths, there are plenty of options with varying sounds. It's probably one of the most flexible from a sound perspective - all while using already created ensembles.
Now, if you're going to start mixing and matching Reaktor blocks/instruments/elements, then I'd say it's not beginner material.
With all the free ensembles out there for various fixed or even modular architecture synths, there are plenty of options with varying sounds. It's probably one of the most flexible from a sound perspective - all while using already created ensembles.
Now, if you're going to start mixing and matching Reaktor blocks/instruments/elements, then I'd say it's not beginner material.