Ableton Forum

Hi!

I try to learn about sound design and synths and I am new at this so have a question about

where to start? I have som basic knowledge about synth adsr , OSC , Amp etc.

What do I need to know? Where can I learn this stuff?

Please give me tips on books , youtube clips , sites or a better vst plugin? ( low cost for a new beginner like me. )

and where can I find synths recipe for pads , lead synth etc?

Right now I am using just Ableton lite.

start with synth1 - it's free

http://www.geocities.jp/daichi1969/softsynth/#down

and while there are many good tutorials out there - both in written word and movies - it's really better to just experiment. Sad but true

Zygi wrote:start with synth1 - it's free

http://www.geocities.jp/daichi1969/softsynth/#down

and while there are many good tutorials out there - both in written word and movies - it's really better to just experiment. Sad but true

haha thanks! Already have it! but sometimes doesn't work.

I do that, but would be fun have a direction some more knowledge.

Everything you need: http://synth.tk/

http://www.syntorial.com/



edit: ha ha, within the same minute.

Intro to Synthesis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atvtBE6t48M
Old, but still valid.

Mazi92 wrote:Hi!

I try to learn about sound design and synths and I am new at this so have a question about

where to start? I have som basic knowledge about synth adsr , OSC , Amp etc.

What do I need to know? Where can I learn this stuff?

Please give me tips on books , youtube clips , sites or a better vst plugin? ( low cost for a new beginner like me. )

and where can I find synths recipe for pads , lead synth etc?

Right now I am using just Ableton lite.

The classic How to Make a Noise by Simon Cann is still a very nice introduction to the right thinking. I ended up purchasing Z3TA+ 2 because of this book, that IMHO in one fell swop make all of the Live synths look like carbon copies. I only use Sampler/Simpler of the native ones.

Most of the soft synths in the book are hard or expensive to track down, but you can try the concepts yourself in whatever suitable synth. After all it's by doing you learn.

The free UHE Zebralette is a good learning synth.

Stromkraft wrote:

Mazi92 wrote:Hi!

I try to learn about sound design and synths and I am new at this so have a question about

where to start? I have som basic knowledge about synth adsr , OSC , Amp etc.

What do I need to know? Where can I learn this stuff?

Please give me tips on books , youtube clips , sites or a better vst plugin? ( low cost for a new beginner like me. )

and where can I find synths recipe for pads , lead synth etc?

Right now I am using just Ableton lite.

The classic How to Make a Noise by Simon Cann is still a very nice introduction to the right thinking. I ended up purchasing Z3TA+ 2 because of this book, that IMHO in one fell swop make all of the Live synths look like carbon copies. I only use Sampler/Simpler of the native ones.

Most of the soft synths in the book are hard or expensive to track down, but you can try the concepts yourself in whatever suitable synth. After all it's by doing you learn.

The free UHE Zebralette is a good learning synth.

what do you mean with natives ones? how do you use the simpler/sampler?

Mazi92 wrote:
what do you mean with natives ones? how do you use the simpler/sampler?

I referred to the native soft synthesizers/instruments of Live Suite. Actually I also use Electric occasionally, so that leaves these five that I gave up trying to use for anything: Operator, Collision, Tension, Impulse and Analog (order signifies my earlier preference).

I use Sampler for building instruments with multisampling and drum sounds and Simpler for rhythmic sounds as well. Usually I put these in a drum rack and mix sampled drums with drum synths like Fxpansion Tremor, NI Battery and other synthesized sounds.

crystalmsc was kind enough to point out in another thread that quality company UHE made the free synth TyrellN6 together with Amazona Mag. I haven't tried it yet, but any synth made by Urs is worth checking out.

I only use operator from the Live Suite - Sampler doesn't offer time stretch so that's pants.

Actually I use racks with Simpler but I don't really consider that an instrument.

I think Massive is an easy synth to program....

ian_halsall wrote: I think Massive is an easy synth to program....

I wouldn't say easy, but Massive is a wonderful and capable synth and very rewarding to learn. It's currently my number 2 after Z3TA+ 2. Personally I wouldn't start with Massive. Should definitely be on anyone's "check out" list.

ian_halsall wrote:Sampler doesn't offer time stretch so that's pants.

Actually I use racks with Simpler but I don't really consider that an instrument.

I certainly do not need time stretch in Sampler — would be nice though —  in order to build effective instruments, nor do I need that for drum samples. If I need to time stretch I do that directly in audio or in a separate application. I suppose I'm too old school as I find this acceptable.

Well, Simpler is a simple instrument but can be quite useful.

Drum racks is the most vital feature in Ableton Live! Like Sampler it is most certainly an instrument and one I would never ever want to be without. Quick, fast and effective playing and mixing any sound source to exactly where I want it. My drums depend on racks.

I highly recommend this book:



It really does cover all the bases. You can't go wrong with having a copy of this book around if you want to learn all about synthesizers.

Stromkraft wrote:UHE made the free synth TyrellN6 together with Amazona Mag.

Yes, it's a nice synth to learn about a proper 2 oscs synth.

Mazi92 wrote:I try to learn about sound design and synths and I am new at this so have a question about

where to start? I have som basic knowledge about synth adsr , OSC , Amp etc.

To me, learning about synth is not just about tweaking parameters and creating presets, but also about the workflow, way of thinking and spontaneity. I could imagine, how much to learn just from a single Monotron when starting out. It's one of my favorite noisy instrument even now. It gives a different feeling from working with a VST, by sound and logic in using the sound with the realtime knobs/ribbon tweaking. With a help of free plugins and the included Ableton Live native effects, it would make a great blip and blop machine, one can practice anywhere. The learning process is just so natural. Imho, learning from a simple, real analog mono synth, with no preset is the best way to start. You can move to something like Tyrell after understanding the "feeling" right.