Should I Flip All my Synths?

[01010111]

It is a strange feeling. Basically I think I’ve hit a peak with synthezisers that I hit years ago with my pedalboard. I had an enormous board that could do every sound I could imagine in five different ways, and I kept gassing for the next pedal of the week. In band practice and live I kept running into technical errors, and even at home I spent more time with pedal tetris and scheming my next expansion than actually playing.

What I did then was strip down to just my guitar and add pedals one by one, over the course of a few weeks, until I could easily get all the sounds I loved and used regularly. That concept doesn’t translate as nicely here, but I think I’ll spend time with each synth on its own this week. Limit myself to one toy at a time. Then after I’ve spent time with each individually I’ll try them in combination. See which ones work best, make notes about strong points and weak points. And slowly build an idea of what would actually be useful.

My current setup just has a little of everything because I guess I really don’t know exactly what I want. But that’s why I bought all of them, really. Because I like them. And now I have to figure out how to make a setup that’s right for me (because I really didn’t know going in).

[coldbrightsunlight]

It seems like I need to approach this from a functionality standpoint. I need to determine what I functionally need to make the music I like. Then I need to remove myself from my setup emotionally, i.e. don’t keep something just because it’s pretty. And then I’ll be able to accurately tailor my setup to what I need.

This is always the right answer for making a setup that works for playing.

[01010111]

Just here to say I wish I could have found a black BSP

Also, I really like the arturia synths, but I can't imagine they sound as big as the SE02. They certainly have their own flavor though. I also havn't heard the SE02...

I’m sad I missed out on the black keystep

The SE02 is big, but the SV-1’s bigger by a mile. I never would’ve considered trying to build a pad using a monosynth before I got the SV-1

[D Rock]

I think it's all about finding sounds you like. I've found I love my minilogue for pads, behringer model D for bass duties, and a Bass Station 2 for melodies and arp. Running all of that into a mixer with a digitakt for drums is incredible. Super quick and easy to jam around on and I find myself sketching out new ideas effortlessly. That is my core and I switch out a volca fm, volca bass, and Ipad as needed. I'm sure I'll move some stuff around eventually but it is nice to find where each synth excells and then use the strong points to your advantage.

[UglyCasanova]

As someone who went from this



to this



and finally to this



my advice is 'less is more fun', especially when you're having to deal with severeal instruments at the same time (For me, it's bass, drums, drones and synth). Scaling down was the best thing I could possibly do. My mind is less cluttered and I get more time to be comfortable with each instrument and effect. If you find yourself not using something, just take it off for a few days and see if you find yourself missing it. Chances are, you won't.

[D.o.S.]

A+ humblebrag. But UC is also right. Less is more.

[UglyCasanova]

A+ humblebrag.

[01010111]

A+ humblebrag.

This is a wonderful success story! That reminds me that I was actually looking into local laser cutting places to make myself a setup that would’ve been bery similar to that.

I’m still going to try my little experiment, but this gives me hope.

I sort of wonder if I could just get a digitakt, sell everything but the jp08 and the se02, and be done. The digitakt could potentially replace everyting else, while adding a punch of functionality....

[coldbrightsunlight]

A+ humblebrag. But UC is also right. Less is more.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gEVhpEz59E[/youtube]

Just saying.

[PeteeBee]

So UC, can you explain how your setup actually works? I'm really dense regarding synths and am really trying to get past going simply by what looks coolest. How do the op1 and the ipad work together?

[01010111]

I think it's all about finding sounds you like. I've found I love my minilogue for pads, behringer model D for bass duties, and a Bass Station 2 for melodies and arp. Running all of that into a mixer with a digitakt for drums is incredible. Super quick and easy to jam around on and I find myself sketching out new ideas effortlessly. That is my core and I switch out a volca fm, volca bass, and Ipad as needed. I'm sure I'll move some stuff around eventually but it is nice to find where each synth excells and then use the strong points to your advantage.

This sort of thinking is what led me to my current setup, though. I bought a bunch of tools for essentially one-purpose each. While this gives me a TON of flexibility in terms of sound, it comes at the cost of portability and productivity.

So, I need to rethink my setup to tailor it for what I need to be productive. In doing that, it *should* simplify my setup and make it more portable.

[UglyCasanova]

So UC, can you explain how your setup actually works? I'm really dense regarding synths and am really trying to get past going simply by what looks coolest. How do the op1 and the ipad work together?

Sure thang! It goes>

OP-1 > Tåken > Mixer > Mercury7
iPad > Mixer > Mercury7

And you're right. The OP-1 is connected to the iPad as a controller. I only use the connection to play the synth apps on the iPad because playing keys on a screen is pretty terrible.

It's also pretty fun to use the OP-1 as a normal synth + a controller for the iPad. That way I can play something like an FM synthesis from the OP-1 with something like the iMS-20 app with the same keys.

[friendship]

This sort of thinking is what led me to my current setup, though. I bought a bunch of tools for essentially one-purpose each. While this gives me a TON of flexibility in terms of sound, it comes at the cost of portability and productivity.

So, I need to rethink my setup to tailor it for what I need to be productive. In doing that, it *should* simplify my setup and make it more portable.

Instead of trying to reason out what kind of setup would be conducive to productivity, you might consider breaking down your setup to bare elements and feel your way to what makes you more productive like Dr Sticks and Bartimaeus mentioned. Sometimes your instincts will guide you when you take it one thing at a time Can any of your tools express your musical thoughts? Which ones? Start there and between playiny sessions try to think about what you were doing when things were flowing, and take note of what you were doing when things weren’t.

[PeteeBee]

So UC, can you explain how your setup actually works? I'm really dense regarding synths and am really trying to get past going simply by what looks coolest. How do the op1 and the ipad work together?

Sure thang! It goes>

OP-1 > Tåken > Mixer > Mercury7
iPad > Mixer > Mercury7

And you're right. The OP-1 is connected to the iPad as a controller. I only use the connection to play the synth apps on the iPad because playing keys on a screen is pretty terrible.

It's also pretty fun to use the OP-1 as a normal synth + a controller for the iPad. That way I can play something like an FM synthesis from the OP-1 with something like the iMS-20 app with the same keys.

Thanks! Is the op1 actually easy to play as a keyboard? I worry that it’ll be a little wonky, like how the pocket piano keyboard seemed a little tough for me as far as really playing on it? I really think I need to jump in and buy one. It’s just a big jump.

[D Rock]

I think it's all about finding sounds you like. I've found I love my minilogue for pads, behringer model D for bass duties, and a Bass Station 2 for melodies and arp. Running all of that into a mixer with a digitakt for drums is incredible. Super quick and easy to jam around on and I find myself sketching out new ideas effortlessly. That is my core and I switch out a volca fm, volca bass, and Ipad as needed. I'm sure I'll move some stuff around eventually but it is nice to find where each synth excells and then use the strong points to your advantage.

This sort of thinking is what led me to my current setup, though. I bought a bunch of tools for essentially one-purpose each. While this gives me a TON of flexibility in terms of sound, it comes at the cost of portability and productivity.

So, I need to rethink my setup to tailor it for what I need to be productive. In doing that, it *should* simplify my setup and make it more portable.

I can understand that. I tend to look at my electronic setup like a live band. I like to have one instrument for each member I would have in a band. My setup does take up one 60 inch desk but I'm not sure I could go any smaller and achieve the sounds I want. I had intended to keep mine portable and still is possible but it would be a little on the harder side to move around.