Minimal Music Production Setup.

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sidesword wrote: Sun May 10, 2020 9:29 pm UVI Falcon and MSoundFactory seem like they could each reach the same result but from a different workflow, are they really that different?
Quite a bit. MSF is a very technical environment, almost like working in Reaktor but without the headache of needing to know DSP (although with the Math module DSP is possible). MSF also excels in it's flexibility, having ways to modify any parameter in any way with any etc etc... The problem is, it's still a very complex synth. While it's effects section is a candy land and virtually unlimited, it's still hard to wrap your head around in a decent amount of time. I've had sessions where I'll spend a half hour just working on getting the dynamics right.

Falcon on the other hand strikes a fantastic balance. While it's not nearly as flexible or versatile as MSF, it's much simpler to use and thus many times faster. It's easier to be in a creative mood with Falcon as it feels more like building a sound rather than building a machine to make sound. And while the effects section isn't as diverse or complete as MSF, it's straight forward to use and with Effect Racks and Busses (this is where it's DAW like in mixing in effects) you can be very creative with the effects even though they're not individually customizeable. Also Falcon has Lua scripting to make event handling, MIDI processing, and many other features more accessible and versatile. Though, you can't really do any DSP with the scripts so it's not as powerful as MSF or Reaktor in terms of synthesis.

MSF is a synthetic laboratory whereas Falcon is a sound design tool box. MSF is very specific and flexible, but takes a lot of time to master and work with. Falcon gets the job done even though it doesn't have all the tools. I love both of these tools, and would never claim one is better than the other. They have their purposes in my workflow. MSF is what I use to get a specific sound. Falcon is what I use to make complex sounds quickly, even if not exactly what I had in mind.
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sidesword wrote: Sun May 10, 2020 9:32 pm
pigfront wrote: Sun May 10, 2020 9:02 pm You can't go more minimal nor use tracker + samples.
This is interesting, what tracker do you use? have you ever used a DAW and noticed more efficiency within the tracker? Renoise seems very intuitive, have you found that you create more with samples than sound design with synths?
I use Renoise and Openmpt mostly. I have and some DAWs, but trackers always was more creative for me. I'm 90's kid, so trackers are native for me. With today internet you has infinite sample base. Most DAWs today are overcomplicated with huge list of functionality never used.

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rod_zero wrote: Mon May 11, 2020 4:01 am I consider myself quite minimalistic:

Ableton Live suite
U-he diva
...(snipped)
rod_zero - do you have all of the packs installed that are included with AL suite? And the next question would be, do you use them all?

For me, even those packs might constitute bloat. But, at the same time, I use some of those, so who's really to say? What's your take on those packs?

To continue some of my personal thoughts and experiences: I ended up selling Komplete Ultimate 11 (or 12, can't remember) last year or maybe 2018. That, for me was completely the right thing to do. I still have a few NI synths, but KU was just too much for me. Not that there's not a lot of usefulness in that set of sounds/synths/effects. Just that it always felt heavy to me.

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roman.i wrote: Sun May 10, 2020 12:51 pm
sidesword wrote: Sun May 10, 2020 11:15 am It wouldn’t be for the sake of limitation but for focus, can you recommend any such tools to stick to? I think whether or not the devices that come with DAWs are up to the job is down to personal preference, the devices that come with Logic, Ableton, Biwig, Reason, and Studio One can be just as capable as their third party counterparts, I agree, the careful consideration for hardware due to cost would be exceptional when it comes to sticking with what you have.
It doesn't matter how capable the tool is if it doesn't sound right. It's very rare to see a DAW plugin that sounds as good as one that used in a professional production. I'm talking about plugins that make sounds.
Plenty of DAW plugins sound as good as commercial soft synths...

Logic has Alchemy and Sculpture - both high quality (Alchemy used to be a commercial plugin)
Bitwig has Phase-4 and Grid - both 'pro' worthy synths
Live - Operator and the included AAS synths are all pro worthy synths

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sidesword wrote: Sun May 10, 2020 9:29 pmI had no idea the Grid could be so intensive on the CPU it looks so well optimised to run so much within it, UVI Falcon and MSoundFactory seem like they could each reach the same result but from a different workflow, are they really that different? You’re view on using KVROSC to help expand future opportunities upon your other music is very inspiring.
The Grid is not CPU intensive... Of course one can put endless numbers of modules in and kill any CPU, but for making useful synth configurations, it is just fine.

I can easily get 24 or more voices of polyphony on various Grid sounds of mine and I have a Mac Mini which isn't a super fast machine.

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Edited
Last edited by Vortifex on Sun Apr 16, 2023 11:23 am, edited 1 time in total.

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sidesword wrote: Sun May 10, 2020 9:54 pm
I primarily keep my desktop full of folders relating to projects in progress and projects i’ve finished, my taskbar contains my DAWs and the applications folder as well as my browser.

Damn i need to start working in templates a lot more!

Buying on impulse is a huge weakness i lose to! i easily apply it to my life but the practice flys out of the window when it comes to production! any tips on how to slowly ease out of these spending habits?

I’m planning on removing a lot of my current setup and doing a complete reorganisation, how is the balance between hardware and software synths? which do you find yourself using most? would you recommend one over the other?

Thank you for this answer! it’s been very helpful!
I had to buy lots of stuff to figure out what I liked, what worked for me and so on. I accept the cost of buying this and that... you know, like textbooks in school.

I infrequently buy VST synths anymore. There is already no limit on the sounds I can create with what I have. Or put another way, I am the limitation. How much time I have, my own skills, etc.

Marketing basically gives the impression, directly or indirectly, that buying the product that is being marketed will affect your own limitations... it wont. Once you have a decent set of tools, there is no need to add to them. Nothing wrong with doing so of course.

I can afford it, so I might buy a synth that has some interesting approach just to try it out, even if I wont use it much in the long run. But don't be fooled into buying thinking you are somehow going to be better at your craft from it... Nothing can replace cultivating your own skills

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OzoneJunkie wrote: Mon May 11, 2020 1:04 pm
rod_zero wrote: Mon May 11, 2020 4:01 am I consider myself quite minimalistic:

Ableton Live suite
U-he diva
...(snipped)
rod_zero - do you have all of the packs installed that are included with AL suite? And the next question would be, do you use them all?

For me, even those packs might constitute bloat. But, at the same time, I use some of those, so who's really to say? What's your take on those packs?

To continue some of my personal thoughts and experiences: I ended up selling Komplete Ultimate 11 (or 12, can't remember) last year or maybe 2018. That, for me was completely the right thing to do. I still have a few NI synths, but KU was just too much for me. Not that there's not a lot of usefulness in that set of sounds/synths/effects. Just that it always felt heavy to me.
NO, I don't have all packs installed, just a few. I avoid having stuff that covers the same sound palette. I also prefer Synth presets to samples or loops.
dedication to flying

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rod_zero wrote: Tue May 12, 2020 1:29 am
OzoneJunkie wrote: Mon May 11, 2020 1:04 pm
rod_zero wrote: Mon May 11, 2020 4:01 am I consider myself quite minimalistic:

Ableton Live suite
U-he diva
...(snipped)
rod_zero - do you have all of the packs installed that are included with AL suite? And the next question would be, do you use them all?

For me, even those packs might constitute bloat. But, at the same time, I use some of those, so who's really to say? What's your take on those packs?

To continue some of my personal thoughts and experiences: I ended up selling Komplete Ultimate 11 (or 12, can't remember) last year or maybe 2018. That, for me was completely the right thing to do. I still have a few NI synths, but KU was just too much for me. Not that there's not a lot of usefulness in that set of sounds/synths/effects. Just that it always felt heavy to me.
NO, I don't have all packs installed, just a few. I avoid having stuff that covers the same sound palette. I also prefer Synth presets to samples or loops.
Thanks. I'm curious (if it's not too much trouble), which packs do you have installed?

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OzoneJunkie wrote: Tue May 12, 2020 2:27 pm
rod_zero wrote: Tue May 12, 2020 1:29 am
OzoneJunkie wrote: Mon May 11, 2020 1:04 pm
rod_zero wrote: Mon May 11, 2020 4:01 am I consider myself quite minimalistic:

Ableton Live suite
U-he diva
...(snipped)
rod_zero - do you have all of the packs installed that are included with AL suite? And the next question would be, do you use them all?

For me, even those packs might constitute bloat. But, at the same time, I use some of those, so who's really to say? What's your take on those packs?

To continue some of my personal thoughts and experiences: I ended up selling Komplete Ultimate 11 (or 12, can't remember) last year or maybe 2018. That, for me was completely the right thing to do. I still have a few NI synths, but KU was just too much for me. Not that there's not a lot of usefulness in that set of sounds/synths/effects. Just that it always felt heavy to me.
NO, I don't have all packs installed, just a few. I avoid having stuff that covers the same sound palette. I also prefer Synth presets to samples or loops.
Thanks. I'm curious (if it's not too much trouble), which packs do you have installed?
Punch and Tilt
orchestral strings
drum essentials

I have downloaded all but I didn't find use.

I did miss a plugin I use wuite a bit: addictive drums for acoustic drums
dedication to flying

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Thanks rod_zero - I appreciate the replies. For me, the packs that were new for version 10, such as Punch and Tilt, and the other ones, I didn't find a lot of use for the synth presets. I do like a good number of the drumsets from the various packs, especially when I use my Maschine (mikro) controller. If those packs didn't have the drums, I'd probably delete them.

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sidesword wrote: Sun May 10, 2020 11:05 am I was unaware of KVROSC, would you say you could be set with Bitwigs Grid on it’s own?
Absolutely, that would be my suggestion.
With too many different tools you automatically tend to surf presets instead of creating out of your craft...
Often its faster an 100 times more rewarding to sculpt your sounds than searching for a preset that fits...
My entry for OSC lockdown edition was 100% Bitwig. But this would also be possible for mainstream EDM...

P.S. One could say I am also a victim of GAS. Since I landed on KVR I filled my palette significantly. I just realize when I get into my creative flow, I stick mostly with the Grid. But the other tools are a welcome source of inspiration. The money I spend for them is worth for the inspiration. Its a bit like food, usually I prefer to cook myself, but sometimes its worthwhile to spend money in a restaurant...

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When I read Minimal Music Production Setup I think more of a Smartphone and Caustic 3
Or on PC Sonar for free with free VSTs .
Just looked over this thread and read some heavy guns like Falcon and MSF
What is wrong with you people? Is this Minimal?
And minimal car would be a Ferrari or what?

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Polomo123 wrote: Sun May 17, 2020 7:22 am When I read Minimal Music Production Setup I think more of a Smartphone and Caustic 3
Or on PC Sonar for free with free VSTs .
Just looked over this thread and read some heavy guns like Falcon and MSF
What is wrong with you people? Is this Minimal?
And minimal car would be a Ferrari or what?
The OP was discussing a minimal number of VSTs, not necessarily minimal features available in them.

'Minimal' falls into the trap of a word being overloaded. Minimal can have many meanings, so users will come here with different expectations on what's going to be discussed. How fickle language can be :hug:

It was also suggested that users look into events like KVROSC to deliberately restrict available features to encourage creativity in a "restricted" workflow/environment, which should satisfy the minimal feature definition.
Software portfolio
M.N.I.E - soon to be my musical portfolio
Hey, I'm Eurydice(Izzy for short) - she/her :hug:

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dakkra wrote: Sun May 17, 2020 4:30 pm
Polomo123 wrote: Sun May 17, 2020 7:22 am When I read Minimal Music Production Setup I think more of a Smartphone and Caustic 3
Or on PC Sonar for free with free VSTs .
Just looked over this thread and read some heavy guns like Falcon and MSF
What is wrong with you people? Is this Minimal?
And minimal car would be a Ferrari or what?
The OP was discussing a minimal number of VSTs, not necessarily minimal features available in them.

'Minimal' falls into the trap of a word being overloaded. Minimal can have many meanings, so users will come here with different expectations on what's going to be discussed. How fickle language can be :hug:

It was also suggested that users look into events like KVROSC to deliberately restrict available features to encourage creativity in a "restricted" workflow/environment, which should satisfy the minimal feature definition.
Totally get what you mean. Still the OP´s topic does not fit his/her question.( more or less )
The word setup is the part which is very irritating .
Better would be Only 5 VST´s which should I take ... or something :D

On minimal Setup I would define something like Damon Albarn did back 2010 with the Fall

https://medium.com/micro-chop/the-goril ... cfbd78ee01

But Yes Minimal can mean more than "minimal" XD

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