Best Subtractive Synth VSTi for a Noob?

[R-Lex]

Hey guys, just curious what y'all more experienced sound designers would recommend as a good "beginner" subtractive synth for use with Ableton. I'm pretty new to the game, and inasmuch as I'm having a blast just playing around and making little sketches of songs I'd really like to apply myself to learning basic synthesis. Many of the demos I've tried (ACE being my favorite) are pretty neat, but I'm still at a point where I feel like less is really more in terms of actually figuring out how to shape my own sounds.

Thanks in advance!

[RobC]

This is a crazy topic...

There is a great deal of fun to be had going to KVRAudio and trying out stuff. There may even be hundreds of free subtractives?

As a start-

For PC and Mac- Linplug Free Alpha 3
PC only- Synth1, or any of the simpler Novakills

and you'll end up with Ableton's Analog, of course.

Rob.

[sowhoso]

there is an excellent tutorial out there that uses a free synth called Native Instruments SoundSchool Analog (originally called SoundForum Synth). great tool for learning and it sounds good too

the author also wrote a book, Programming Synthesizers, sold by Wizoo

newer version here:
http://co.native-instruments.com/index. ... hooldl&L=1

older version and tutorial info here:
http://audiomods.org/index.html

[zalo]

automat

http://blog.alphakanal.de/2009/06/03/automat_1-0

[jsn]

Hi R-Lex. I just noticed you said you use ACE.. Because ACE's modules are already hardwired (without having to use any patch cables for modular connection to complicate things) you already have a fantastic subtractive synthesizer right in your hands. You do not need to connect any patch cables to use it for basic subtractive synthesis. Pop open the ACE manual and look at the signal flow diagram in the beginning pages and you will see this is pretty much basic subtractive synthesis configuration that you will find on a lot of the above mentioned synths.

[zalo]

Hi R-Lex. I just noticed you said you use ACE.. Because ACE's modules are already hardwired (without having to use any patch cables for modular connection to complicate things) you already have a fantastic subtractive synthesizer right in your hands. You do not need to connect any patch cables to use it for basic subtractive synthesis. Pop open the ACE manual and look at the signal flow diagram in the beginning pages and you will see this is pretty much basic subtractive synthesis configuration that you will find on a lot of the above mentioned synths.

OP has only used the demo of ACE

[jsn]

Hi R-Lex. I just noticed you said you use ACE.. Because ACE's modules are already hardwired (without having to use any patch cables for modular connection to complicate things) you already have a fantastic subtractive synthesizer right in your hands. You do not need to connect any patch cables to use it for basic subtractive synthesis. Pop open the ACE manual and look at the signal flow diagram in the beginning pages and you will see this is pretty much basic subtractive synthesis configuration that you will find on a lot of the above mentioned synths.

OP has only used the demo of ACE

I know. I say only that if he is happy with ACE, he can very well use - it - to learn basic subtractive synthesis techniques. One need not insert a single patch cable to do this. It is 'hardwired' from the start. It is not as intimidating as it first seems when one views the signal flow chart in the manual. Then, when he is comfortable that he has learned basic technique and understands the routings he can 'graduate' to playing with the modular capability of it, which contains fantastic potential.

[R-Lex]

Thanks for your responses all!

[mholloway]

Hey guys, just curious what y'all more experienced sound designers would recommend as a good "beginner" subtractive synth for use with Ableton. I'm pretty new to the game, and inasmuch as I'm having a blast just playing around and making little sketches of songs I'd really like to apply myself to learning basic synthesis. Many of the demos I've tried (ACE being my favorite) are pretty neat, but I'm still at a point where I feel like less is really more in terms of actually figuring out how to shape my own sounds.

Thanks in advance!

Lennar Digital's SYLENTH1 all the way. Easy to use, easy to learn with, and one of the absolute best sounding virtual-analog softsynths on the market (if not in fact the best).

For free, if you're on a PC by all means get SYNTH1 (not to be confused with sylenth1) and start having a blast. It's the greatest freeware instrument EVER. Also very good for learning subtractive synthesis on.

have fun!
-M