a good list of beginner plug-ins?

ryansantos · Post by **ryansantos** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:02 pm

hey everyone,

can anyone give me a good list of VST/AU that a beginner should start with, that i can explore some initial synth programming but aren't too overwhelming and confusing for someone just starting.

and any other plug ins people suggest for a beginner to start playing with to explore the world of music!

thanks!

R.

Tone Deft · Post by **Tone Deft** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 3:30 am

there's a huge list here

http://www.ableton.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27120

umm, look for a virtual analog synth, a very common type of synth that's good to start with.

honestly, I hit VST burnout and went back to just Operator/Sampler/Impulse and the stuff with Live to REALLY learn how to tweak stuff, kinda in the same boat as you after you've been around the block a few times and wanted to get back into learning the tools.

z3ta+ is pretty highly respected and it's virtual analog.

pick a few basic ones and LEARN them is my advice. Operator is a good FM synthesizer to learn on, very simple and straightforward. FM synthesis is a bit harder to wrangle, IMO.

noisetonepause · Post by **noisetonepause** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 3:35 am

I can recommend the Ableton plugins, especially Operator, Sampler and Tension. Between them you won't run out of sounds just yet...

Tone Deft · Post by **Tone Deft** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 3:44 am

noisetonepause wrote:I can recommend the Ableton plugins, especially Operator, Sampler and Tension. Between them you won't run out of sounds just yet...

damn, I didn't know Z3ta was only $100. I don't have it but how would people compare it to Analog?? (the analog synth that will be released with Live 7, aka Ultra Analog http://www.applied-acoustics.com/ultraanalog.htm the OP might not know that.)

willdahbe · Post by **willdahbe** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 6:26 am

Here's one with a basic layout and is supposed to sound pretty close to the Nord Lead2 hardware synth. (Has a good reputation) This is how almost any subtractive analog/virtual analog synth is set up.

http://www.discodsp.com/discovery/

dr.wackler · Post by **dr.wackler** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 6:46 am

To learn the very basics of synth programming, download the FreeAlpha3 from LinPlug: http://www.linplug.com/Instruments/Alpha_3/alpha_3.htm

To learn about effects, stick with Live's included plugins for the beginning.

pulsoc · Post by **pulsoc** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 7:12 am

Don't forget

http://www.niallmoody.com/ndcplugs/myfi ... uencer.htm

jackrabbit · Post by **jackrabbit** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 7:55 pm

Fab Filter 1 is my farorite easy/simple synth. It sounds lovely and smooth. It has tought me a lot about sound design as its so well designed and responsive. The knowlage this synth give me I have offcourse used to develope my skills programming more comples synths.

Check it out here http://www.fabfilter.com/products/one.php

As far as effects go, every audio effect in live will be a good pace to start

ryansantos · Post by **ryansantos** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 8:01 pm

thanks so much, but i forgot to mention i am on a mac! :/

Homebelly · Post by **Homebelly** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 8:31 pm

check out Automat,,,
it's free!!!

dr.wackler · Post by **dr.wackler** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 8:36 pm

ryansantos wrote:thanks so much, but i forgot to mention i am on a mac! :/

You didn't, as you wrote "a good list of VST/AU"...

Of the aforementioned synths, LinPlug FreeAlpha3, Fabfilter One and AAS Ultra Analog are available for Mac.
Fabfilter Twin has also a quite straight forward layout and is good for learning the basics - costs a little though, but sounds fabulous.

However, my recommendation stands: Before you buy something, download LinPlug FreeAlpha3 to make yourself familiar with the concept of subtractive synthesis, then maybe go on to the more complex Alphakanal Automat and then decide if for the distinct sound you want to get something like Fabfilter Twin or AAS Ultra Analog (or its brother, Ableton Analog, which will be available as a native Live synth for Live7 - though for some reason it sounds a little bit more sterile than AAS Ultra Analog, has less bottom end and lacks the lush and living chorus of the original).

BLynx · Post by **BLynx** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 10:34 pm

+1 for Automat!!

...and Operator, of course!

ryansantos · Post by **ryansantos** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 10:53 pm

thank you so much guys!

i am new to the making music world and opened some synths people recommeded and they looked like controls for a space ship.

i have been referred to how to make a noise and am trying to understand how to learn things from the basics and truly understand how things work.

operator is nice but i still dont know what half the stuff is or how it actually works even after the tutorial!

R.

Homebelly · Post by **Homebelly** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:58 am

Check this book,,
It has a very easy to follow discription of all of the variouse kinds of synthisis and some very simple tutorials of how to make sounds and patches,,
http://www.wizoobooks.com/product_info. ... ucts_id=63

pulsoc · Post by **pulsoc** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 1:05 am

ryansantos wrote:thank you so much guys!

i am new to the making music world and opened some synths people recommeded and they looked like controls for a space ship.

i have been referred to how to make a noise and am trying to understand how to learn things from the basics and truly understand how things work.

operator is nice but i still dont know what half the stuff is or how it actually works even after the tutorial!

R.

Learning about synthesis is something you never quite finish I hear.