Understanding Synthesizers (Massive & Sylenth1)

[MichaelBecerril]

Pretty much self-explanatory.

I want to know how to use those VST plugins like Massive, Sylenth, Nexus, all of those
plugins and know how to go about making the type of sound that I want or imagine in my head.


If anyone has some videos or website links that can teach me the synth programming basics I'd appreciate it.





Also if you have any recommendations on which VSTs should I try out/buy I'd appreciate the help again.

[elnn]

doesn't really have to do anything with modular synthesis, does it now?

[zerocrossing]

doesn't really have to do anything with modular synthesis, does it now?

Well, not really but what are the synths mentioned if not fixed architecture modulars? What I'm getting at is that once you learn what a module does, then every synth can be approached as a fixed "patch." So learning a modular system would be a great way to start.

I always recommend Becoming a Synthesizer Wizard:

http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Synthesi ... 1598635506

It'll take you step by step though a few software modulars and from there you can basically apply what you know to any instrument.

[MichaelBecerril]

doesn't really have to do anything with modular synthesis, does it now?

I thought this was the place for it, my english is not very good, and it's not my main language. Sorry.

All I read was sound synth and something like that.

[paterpeter]

There's currently a "5 days for $5" offer over at groove3.com. They have e.g. a general tutorial on synthesizers and a specific tutorial on Massive. Maybe that's useful to you.

[Halma]

Pretty much self-explanatory.

I want to know how to use those VST plugins like Massive, Sylenth, Nexus, all of those
plugins and know how to go about making the type of sound that I want or imagine in my head.


If anyone has some videos or website links that can teach me the synth programming basics I'd appreciate it.





Also if you have any recommendations on which VSTs should I try out/buy I'd appreciate the help again.

Start with a basic subtractive synth. Because I'm a Reason User I can't recommend you any VSTs but synths like the TAL-U-No-62 or the Tyrell N6 should fit your needs for a very long time. Don't be fooled by their simple interfaces.

You will find some of the best recources on sound design here: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/allsynthsecrets.htm . Please scroll down and start with part 1. After that work your way through all of the synth secrets parts and finally you should be able to get those sounds out of your head.

Cheers,

Halma[/url]

[D.H. Miltz]

I couldn't decide between Production Techniques and Sound Design, so I moved this to Getting Started. If you'd like it somewhere else, just let me or another mod know.

[slartibartfast]

Here are a few links to try:

Some books at http://noisesculpture.com/how-to-make-a-noise, and a free downloadable version of one of these at http://noisesculpture.com/how-to-make-a ... rogramming

Subtractive synth programming basics at http://tweakheadz.com/programmer.html

Video tutorial at http://vimeo.com/1309545

26 tutorials focusing on making specific sounds at http://www.musicradar.com/tuition/tech/ ... als-224845

[rod_zero]

check this out

[Syncretia]

You've asked some very broad sweeping statements here. You need to start with the instruments in your DAW. You need to experiment with them and see what sounds they produce. You should google subtractive synthesis and start to understand the concepts. Then, gradually you will start to understand how to create the sounds you want.

As for Massive, and Sylenth, you should be able to download demos for those synths but you will need to learn how to install them as VSTs in your DAW. Your DAW should have a VST installation procedure for you to follow. You will need to look it up in the manual.

Anyway, as you start to learn about subtractive synthesis, you will find a lot of the terminology confusing. I have put together some explanations of the terminology:
http://www.syncretia.com/Ableton/Synthesis.html

Just be patient, watch lots of tutorials, learn, read, experiment and in time, it will come.

[chk071]

Start with a basic subtractive synth. Because I'm a Reason User I can't recommend you any VSTs but synths like the TAL-U-No-62 or the Tyrell N6 should fit your needs for a very long time. Don't be fooled by their simple interfaces.

Absolutely agree. Starting with something more sophisticated than a basic synthesizer will only irritate and confuse you (it surely did that to me...). I recommend TAL Noisemaker, very simple interface and good enough sound to get started with. And if you can handle it, you'll be able to handle more or less any other synth too.

[JohnRae]

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http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/allsynthsecrets.htm (http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/allsynthsecrets.htm) this is centered around subtractive synthesis and will still teach you a TON about programming synths/ How to achieve that sound etc

[dmorr]

Ok. I'll add in my two cents here.

FIRST: Sylenth and Massive are "subtractive" synthesizers. They have a bit of fx, some ring modular, arps, and FM capabilities built in them also.

SECOND: Subtractive synthesis is the most basic form of synthesis, but it can be used to make the coolest sounds ever. FM synthesis, additive, and other forms of synthesis are not necessary to learn, and are super complicated anyways.

THIRDLY: Go search google on what subtractive synthesis is. Then go to this site http://www.samplecraze.com/tutorial.php and read the series of synthesis tutorials. Then watch the videos that use Reasons Subtractor synthesizer.

FOURTHLY: Like the other members said, you can get a basic subtractive synth to start, like something that TAL makes. Practice the concepts that you learned from those links.

FIFTHLY: Get Massive or Sylenth and READ THE MANUAL! Make sure you know what every part of the synth does. The manuals are not very long or complicated.

SIXTHLY: Now that you know how to make basic sounds and use envelopes, lfos, you know how your synths work you are ready for the next step. EXPERIMENTATION and EXPLORATION. Find sounds that you like and try to emulate them yourself. Go download a bunch of presets and find ones that you like and then look at the synth and figure out how they use the different functions of the synth to achieve their sound.

SEVENTHLY: Don't forget to learn about all different types of FX. Use google for that. Make sure you know how delay, chorus, distortion, reverb, etc. work. Make sure you understand all the controls in the fx on your synths!

FINALLY: Make rad techno with your new found skillz.

cheers!

[COCPORN]

Ryan Enzed on YouTube.

Check out his tutorials. Most of them use Massive. They range from simple to complex. I really like them, I actually started making my own sounds after checking out his tutorials. His stuff is complextro/dubstep-geared mostly, but you get the idea how to make many different genres after grasping the main concepts. It is liberating to just fire up Massive with an idea of what you're after rather than sifting through gigabytes of premade samples and patches.

His YouTube channel is here:

Cheers.

[first ray]

Have you tried reading the manuals for the synths that you currently own? Start there. Seriously.