which first synth to explain synthesis ? substractive & additive

[bermudagold]

to understand and create deterministically with additive, I would say the easiest and therefore the fastest are;
akoustic, minky starshine, tomofon, MSF osc generator, vans, and photosounder

Increasing complexity while still remaining accessible to me would be first;
syne, then icarus, MSF additive generator, cube and poseidon

[briefcasemanx]

Something with an oscilloscope would be great. The hardware Korg Minilogue mentioned is probably the best suggestion IMO.

If you want to teach FM synthesis, the software version of Korg OpSix is easily the best synth for getting an intuitive grasp of FM synthesis. It's setup is setup and visual feedback is just perfect.

[markp]

I reckon Vital.

It's really easy to program,
You can turn off all but one oscillator and filter and they are greyed out. So when it comes time to try 2 he already knows the layout.
Drag and drop is very intuitive
Very visual, 10yo would love the look of it
Lots of tutorials on YT
Cheap
Plenty there to expand on but it's laid out in such a way that it doesn't look daunting like something like Pigments or Hive does.

[Gam456]

Hello,

I would like to start teaching sound creations and synthesizers use to my 10 years old son.

Ideally, I would like to start with a synth with 1 oscillator ( 2 max ), some ADSR control, filter + 1 LFO because kids can be intimidated by many buttons, and parameters. If there's an oscilloscope integrated, it would be a bonus.

I own NI 14 Komplete Ultimate, Tone2 Icarus, the whole Arturia Collection, Zebra & ACE, Rob Papen Explorer 9, Synthmaster 2, FL Studio complete ( all of them are legit guys, so please do not PM me to get a copy ).

Is there in my bundles a tiny synth that I have missed that could fit my requirement ? or a freebie ?

Thanks for your help

Kind Regards
Vincent

You already have everything to start in the Arturia collection
Prophet 5, Oberheim OB-Xa, Jupiter 8 are good to start

[rod_zero]

Syntorial, it is an interactive course to learn to program sustractive synths

[mike_o]

Junatik in the Reaktor factory library is a simple synth that has an oscillascope and seems to fit the bill for your needs.

[paramita123]

I wouldn't get the kid started on software because it means being stuck to your DAW...
Neither of you want that ...
Get him hardware so he can experiment on his own, build his own world in his room.

There is a company doing cool modular blocks, that would be cool as you could start small and add up if he shows interest, dedication, passion. Can't remember the company.

Then if he really does catch the passion then get him more hardware then eventually the DAW, but yeah I think best to start with a simple hardware setup with good speakers or headphones (I've used a Beyerdynamic set for about 20+years rock solid great sound not expensive)
I would have loved my Dad buying me a Juno 6 and headphones when I was 10 .. damn ..

[Igro]

Invider 2 by e-phonic.
You have to start from a pure subtractive synth where everything is on one page.

Also, as mentioned Juno 6 by Arturia, Softube or TAL would be a good choice.

[Niowiad]

I'd sure start with subtractive and I totally agree with the "modular" suggestions.

Possibly something with the least amount of pre-routed functions, like VCV Rack (free as a standalone app) and its "VCV Core" modules.

A modular environment can be scaled down to the most basic building blocks (e.g. single oscillator to output) and very gradually built-up in complexity, with a constant visual representation of the signal flow.

[Freaqpeak]

I would start with very basic modules in a modular setup and use a oscilloscope for visual representation.
VCV Rack. Physical modular synths like eurorack is more fun though.

A 10 y.o. won't probably be impressed though, it might be too technical to understand. They will probably be more interested in using pre-made loops/samples as a start. Ask what music they like and give 'em lots of pre-made loops to create things in that genre. Or make your own loops.

And let 'em sing and record... my kids love to hear their own voices, esp if you add FX like reverb and autotune..

[Igro]

Don't start with a modular. That's is a wrong suggestion. How the hell this could be even suggested for a starter



Start with something easy, rather than hurting a teen brain with a modular bullshit which is more or less will be good for farting sound experiments.

[Niowiad]

Don't start with a modular. That's is a wrong suggestion. How the hell this could be even suggested for a starter



Start with something easy, rather than hurting a teen brain with a modular bullshit which is more or less will be good for farting sound experiments.

Choosing something like Arturia's ModularV definitely makes things unnecessarily harder than they should for a beginner because all modules are presented at once.

Fully modular environments such as VCV can be stripped down to the bare minimum (as I previously said, single VCO to output) and very gradually built up, in the simplest clearest way to understand and visualize signal flow.
That's actually easier and more effective than pre-routed synths where most of the routing is taken for granted and you don't fully understand what's going on.

[egbert101]

Just buy him a playstation 5.

[Igro]

Just buy him a playstation 5.

[Igro]

Don't start with a modular. That's is a wrong suggestion. How the hell this could be even suggested for a starter



Start with something easy, rather than hurting a teen brain with a modular bullshit which is more or less will be good for farting sound experiments.

Choosing something like Arturia's ModularV definitely makes things unnecessarily harder than they should for a beginner because all modules are presented at once.

Fully modular environments such as VCV can be stripped down to the bare minimum (as I previously said, single VCO to output) and very gradually built up, in the simplest clearest way to understand and visualize signal flow.
That's actually easier and more effective than pre-routed synths where most of the routing is taken for granted and you don't fully understand what's going on.

I understand your point. But I'm sure (90%) that you started with a simpler synth

But, maybe, you are right about VCV if the "tutor" will provide him with the right "template". Then the templates will get more advanced as he progresses (FM, Additive etc). In this case yeah, the Moog comparison was a bit too extreme.

Now, of course, it does make sense to get a synth that still will be used after the learning phase. So getting a paid, but very restricted synth is not a good deal too.