which synth.

Discuss music production with Ableton Live.
ashtonron
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Re: which synth.

Post by ashtonron » Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:25 pm

Image

lots of fun to be had with this one
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auto-lock
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Re: which synth.

Post by auto-lock » Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:48 pm

woopsi
Last edited by auto-lock on Tue Sep 07, 2010 4:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.

auto-lock
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Re: which synth.

Post by auto-lock » Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:56 pm

Serra wrote:the virus is great too, check it out
the reason i do not like the virus is its manual is does not seem comprehensive, or am i missing something ? what are the parameters that can be patched and modulated and how many per voice or timber ?

auto-lock
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Re: which synth.

Post by auto-lock » Wed Sep 01, 2010 2:14 pm

borg wrote:http://www.johnbowen.com/solaris-overview.html

if you got the cash...
no manual ?

necho
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Re: which synth.

Post by necho » Wed Sep 01, 2010 2:17 pm

auto-lock wrote:so i want a very deep in terms of patchability and modulationability (within synth parameters and user input)
If you're going for software, sounds like you should check out Zebra: http://www.u-he.com/zebra/

Take a look at the video to get an idea of the depth: http://www.u-he.com/zebra/index.php?item=tutorials
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Serra
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Re: which synth.

Post by Serra » Wed Sep 01, 2010 2:20 pm

if I recall correctly the virus manual has many examples of how to create sounds, with practical exercises... the plug in is also a good way to try different things since you see things sometimes you don't see in the hardware and vice versa
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ze2be
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Re: which synth.

Post by ze2be » Wed Sep 01, 2010 2:27 pm

Ive been through a lot of synths..

If you want it very deep, yet simple to use, my all time favorite is Surge VST. Its similar to Massive, but to me it sounds better, and it uses a lot less CPU. Ive had over 20 of them (Surge) going at the same time, on a standard dual core, without any problems. :)


As for hardware im not shore. Also had a lot of those. Perhaps Nord Lead 3..
Waldorf Q or Q+ is something id love to have some day too..

Ive had an Elektron Monomachine. And some Korgs, Some old Analogs, lots of stuff really. Ive had all the Viruses. Love the sound of those, but I prefer one screen synths without to much menus. I have a short memory span, so I need to be able to see everything at once. :lol: Hence Surge is my deep synth friend.

If you just want the most flexible without caring about complexity, id say Zebra VST. Or if you got the time, Reaktor.
Hardware, id go with a modular system. Nord Modular of course is great, or if you can afford it, go real analog modular system.

monobeach
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Re: which synth.

Post by monobeach » Wed Sep 01, 2010 3:21 pm

if you want to go modular, here is a recommendation from [nis] of Ableton:

http://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php? ... 3#p1182063

Big Mister Music
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Re: which synth.

Post by Big Mister Music » Thu Sep 02, 2010 2:13 pm

MPGK wrote: Software-wise, I like Operator. Once you got the hang of it, you can do lots of neat stuff with it.
I agree I love operator and nearly suggested it too.... but then I thought about it.... I don't think is as modular as we are looking for here.
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MPGK
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Re: which synth.

Post by MPGK » Thu Sep 02, 2010 2:18 pm

Big Mister Music wrote:
MPGK wrote: Software-wise, I like Operator. Once you got the hang of it, you can do lots of neat stuff with it.
I agree I love operator and nearly suggested it too.... but then I thought about it.... I don't think is as modular as we are looking for here.
OP wasn't talking about modular, or did I accidentally skip that? Also, within Live's Rack environment, you could actually call Operator modular. :)

twisted-space
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Re: which synth.

Post by twisted-space » Thu Sep 02, 2010 2:55 pm

The korg prophecy is extremely powerful and cheap on the second hand market. It has a steep learning curve though.
See the sos review here.

Vibrations
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Re: which synth.

Post by Vibrations » Thu Sep 02, 2010 4:06 pm

I like to tweak the sound while playing.

So I like to play e.g. the Poly Evolver from Dave Smith.
Or the Waldorf Q+
(Almost every parameter has its own knob)
Really beautiful toys.
But its a matter of taste.

cosmosuave
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Re: which synth.

Post by cosmosuave » Thu Sep 02, 2010 4:18 pm

Just bought one of these and awaiting for it to arrive in the mail... From the videos that I saw on YT convinced me to get it for it's small size and features... If your looking for hardware and semi modular this maybe a good way to go...

Image

http://www.doepfer.de/presse/Dark_Energy_oblique.jpg

Scroll to the bottom for video links...
MD SPS-1 DARKENERGY JX-3P (PG200) Mbase01
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glitchrock-buddha
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Re: which synth.

Post by glitchrock-buddha » Thu Sep 02, 2010 4:29 pm

If you're looking for a single synth that is as deep as possible, there are a few solid options which can keep you busy for years:

-Camel Audio Alchemy: This is an absolute monster. Additive, spectral, granular and VA subtractive synthesis with the most insane modulation system ever. Load your own samples and resynthesize them into oblivion. Great performance controls and morphing too.

-Spectrasonics Omnisphere: A massive library of sample-based content (50gb), as well as a great DSP synth engine. Although you can't load your own samples, it has an astounding and a beautiful library. Also has an excellent interface and modulation system.

-U-He Zebra: Modular synth - Patch together your own signal flow. No sample loading but custom waveform shapes, all kinds of oscillator tricks, fm and additive synthesis and great filters.

-NI Reaktor: There are dozens of factory synths alone and then a user library of thousands of free downloads. Granular, VA, additive, physical modelling, plus effects, drum machines. You can never get through the whole library. Different concept from the above synths, as it lets you make your own or use many different ones inside the program.


Watch videos about the above synths, they all sound quite different I think, but all great in their own way and extremely deep.
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Tweaking Knobs
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Re: which synth.

Post by Tweaking Knobs » Thu Sep 02, 2010 11:17 pm

Zebra 2 dot 5

or

Zebra 2.5



modular-
lfos
fm synth
additive synth
sub synth
ritmic envelopes
mod matrix
fx
thousands of free presets.
great sound quality
easy on cpu
not expensive
fun to use
usable
oscilator fx
cross modulation filters



and manyyyyyy more


buy it.

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