Can someone explain synths to me?

[rustywire]

*Digital* w/r/t synthesizers isn't a dirty word. Look into "FM synthesis" which was a game changer...specifically the Yamaha DX-7 which sold over 100,000 units.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency_ ... _synthesis

If you're interested in some ridiculous eye candy, research these titles...which make up my (mostly analog) dream synth shortlist:

Oberheim 8voice (LOL YEAH RIGHT)
GX1 (LOL YEAH RIGHT)
JP8000/8080
SH-101
TR-808

And those with sampling function:

Synclavier II (LOL YEAH RIGHT)
Fairlight
ASR10

Analog is every bit as fake as digital. It's not as if electricity actually sounds like anything. Plus, it's self defeating to worry about your synthesizer being, you know, synthetic.

In the USA *electricity* sounds like 60hz and in Europe it sounds like 50hz

[modernage]

Based on my limited knowledge, opinion towards analog and digital is weird. I Much prefer analog in any situation, not for the sound quality or anything like that, just because it feels more real and genuine. When it's coming from a computer it feels like your just playing back something that has been prerecordinf, even if it's just a single note. Analog just seems... Cooler, I don't know.

In this situation it would be more accurate to refer to it as hardware vs. software, rather than analog vs. digital. I'm with you. Even though I use software synths/instruments on a daily basis, I much prefer the tactile approach of working with hardware.

As far as using like a digital keyboard live vs an analog one, it seems like it shouldn't matter, if the notes coming out sound the same and you play them in the same way, who the hell cares how the sound was generated? For some reason, I do.

If the pocket piano was analog, I would be on it in a second. Since it's digital, I'll probably still get it (especially since most of my use with it would be noodling around and then I couldn't care less if it's analog or digital, I'm just doing the songwriting part at that stage) but I won't feel as good using it.

I feel like you're taking a misconception in the guitar world, that analog is always superior to digital, and applying it to the synth world where it's even more false. It would be a bit absurd if someone refused to use reverb pedals because *97% of them are digital. True, a pedal simulating a spring reverb might not sound as good as the actual spring reverb on your amp, but then again it could sound the same or better. And what if you write a song that a little plate reverb on it? Are you now forced to instal a *500 lb sheet of steel (including frame) in your basement? Don't get me wrong, that would be fucking amazing! I would hate to have to lug that around when I play shows though.

I know I'm being a bit ridiculous, but since you are already opening up your mind to a new world with synths, I want to challenge you to reconsider your perception of what sounds good before even hearing what it sounds like. Most of the oscillators in my modular are digital. All of the oscillators I am planning on buying in the next couple of months are digital. One osc that I have you would assume is analog by the way it sounds (as I did when I first heard it), but it is in fact digital. Like bob was saying, there are a number of reasons why digital is superior to analog. You should check two of my favorite Eurorack manufacturers... The Harvestman and Mutable Instruments, along with a handful of the Make Noise modules. They are doing/have done some very exciting things in the digital domain. Oh, and get that Pocket Piano! They sound amazing, and you could write some really cool songs with it.


*all numbers are randomly generated and may, or may not, reflect the actual truth.

[modernage]

a modular synth is a piece of gear that more or less emulates crack, both on the mind and the bank account.

[Seten]

I want to let it be known that I fully understand all of your comments. I want to be ok with digital synths sooooooo bad, but no matter how hard I try, I think I'll always only be able to be completely happy with analog. I know it's stupid. My pedalboard is mostly analog, but like one of you said, I got a reverb and a digital delay on it. For some reason I'm perfectly fine with that, although I'd be lying if I said wouldn't have preferred some sort of analog option (obviously there's analog delays but the EQD Disaster transport sounded so good I had to go with that). By the way, my vendetta against digital has nothing to do with sound, or because I think analog sounds "warmer" or some bullshit. I think digital can easily recreate that sound, sometimes even better and is definitely more versatile. It's purely just the thought that analog seems more real to me, i guess. I think I started this thread to try to get people to talk me out of hating digital, so by all means keep going. I really hope I can be convinced, and hopefully before that pocket piano gets sold (though I saw someone sent that guy a PM a bit earlier - )

[Seten]

Analog is every bit as fake as digital. It's not as if electricity actually sounds like anything. Plus, it's self defeating to worry about your synthesizer being, you know, synthetic.

I suppose you're right. Still though, the fact that the sound is created by sending electricity through different kinds of metal instead of by a computer chip seems so much cooler to me.

[Seten]

But shit, what the hell am I saying? a computer chip is just made out of different kinds of metal interacting together too. I think I may be starting to come around fellas. keep the pro-digital comments coming, por favor.

[MrNovember]

Analog is every bit as fake as digital. It's not as if electricity actually sounds like anything. Plus, it's self defeating to worry about your synthesizer being, you know, synthetic.

I suppose you're right. Still though, the fact that the sound is created by sending electricity through different kinds of metal instead of by a computer chip seems so much cooler to me.

Technically, a computer chip is just a ton more little bits of metal (mostly transistors, resistors, capacitors, etc, which actually for the most part aren't bits of metal), shoved onto one chip, that are all working together to create memory and do the same things

EDIT: Beat me to that

[Seten]

Analog is every bit as fake as digital. It's not as if electricity actually sounds like anything. Plus, it's self defeating to worry about your synthesizer being, you know, synthetic.

I suppose you're right. Still though, the fact that the sound is created by sending electricity through different kinds of metal instead of by a computer chip seems so much cooler to me.

Technically, a computer chip is just a ton more little bits of metal (mostly transistors, resistors, capacitors, etc, which actually for the most part aren't bits of metal), shoved onto one chip, that are all working together to create memory and do the same things

EDIT: Beat me to that

[Seten]

I think what my thought process comes down to is that if it's a digital synth, how is it any different from me just going on to my computer, downloading some program someone else made, and pressing some keys on my computer keyboard which plays some notes that the person who designed the program already preset to sound like.

That's not a rhetorical question, I would really like it if you guys answered and explained to me how it is different/how it doesn't matter. I really want to like digital synths.

[Seten]

And I do realize that I just basically described MIDI, and as I said before I'm fine with MIDI, I use MIDI ocasionally, but I consider it different and I don't see the point in buying a hardware synth if it's basically just a smaller (or larger) version of my laptop (with the black and white kind of keys instead of the letter kind) but can do way, way less than a laptop.

[Eivind August]

It's just a thing to make noise with, dude. Doesn't matter what it's made of, as long as it produces sounds that are pleasing and will make your mind explode.

Also, AI is fucking cool. And a digital synth, in some ways, can be said to have some sort of brain. BOW TO YOUR MACHINE OVERLORDS.

[tuj]

the whole digital vs. analogue synth stuff is BS by the time you record and put it into a mix. VA's in both hardware and software, along with pure digital wavetable or vector synths like the D50 or FM synths like the DX-7 have their own unique places. I have a BUNCH of synths both anagloue and digital and you know what I get some of the best sounds from? The Kawai K5000 additive digital synth. It has some of the richest analogue type sounds you wouldn't believe.

modular means you need patch cables to connect the modules. Modular is harder because you need to understand signal flow and what you are after, although its not that hard to do a simple VCO-VFC-VCA chain and get some basic sounds. Where modular excels is at WIERD off the wall soundscapes and shit. But it is hard to tame and control, you need some experience. Best way to get into modulars is to get the Nord Micromodular and play with that. It's a VA / modular with a software drag-and-drop modular interface.

So I also have a huge frac-rack system and an even bigger eurorack system and honestly, don't start down that road. Get 1 synth and learn it REALLY well. The elektron gear is really good, like the Analog4; sequencer plus 4 tracks of analogue goodness and parameter locks. Other great synths would include anything multi-timbral so you can get more than 1 sound at a time.

If you have some specific questions now, post them and we'll answer.