Synth crash course! How you synth?

[Bearstripes]

Ok

Been trying to synth since like November and am finally havin the time to get down but I just don't know how. So I have a korg minilouge, a korg volcabeat, two iPads (one with patterning and the other with hopefully a cool sampler soon). And a mixer and a bunch of pedals.

Question 1 : how do I sync it all up. Like I know from korg to korg but how do I get the iPads in on that? What do I need?

2: everything sounds horrible on my mixer. Inconsistent levers, distortion etc. may need some direct boxes. 'At need new mixer. Recommendations?

3. I wanna sample but don't know how. Is it like a looper that I could sync cause that would be rad. Is there a cool one for iPad? Also cool.

Let's chat

[louderthangod]

I wish I knew what was going on with synths. I can just turn knobs and get some cool sounds but it's totally random and I certainly can't get a sound in my head and know how to dial it in. My Moog Sub-37 just has too many knobs. I just got a book on my iPad that seems to break it down, just need to find the time.

[Faldoe]

I wish I knew what was going on with synths. I can just turn knobs and get some cool sounds but it's totally random and I certainly can't get a sound in my head and know how to dial it in. My Moog Sub-37 just has too many knobs. I just got a book on my iPad that seems to break it down, just need to find the time.

Get back to that Sub Phatty!

Ok

Been trying to synth since like November and am finally havin the time to get down but I just don't know how. So I have a korg minilouge, a korg volcabeat, two iPads (one with patterning and the other with hopefully a cool sampler soon). And a mixer and a bunch of pedals.

Question 1 : how do I sync it all up. Like I know Lofi from korg to korg but how do I get the iPads in on that? What do I need?

2: everything sounds horrible on my mixer. Inconsistent levers, distortion etc. may need some direct boxes. 'At need new mixer. Recommendations?

3. I wanna sample but don't know how. Is it like a looper that I could sync cause that would be rad. Is there a cool one for iPad? Also cool.

Let's chat

I've had a few different synths with varying degrees of complexity - lots of menus/LED display - and right now I'm enjoying affordable less complex synths.

Currently have: Novation K-Station, Arturia Microbrute, Roland JX-03, Korg Volca Keys.

I like using my Laptop with Ableton and creating Midi loops that then get sent to control (via midi in) the various synths.

That of course makes things sync up well but I haven't found a good stride to make it work live and feel organic. Its a good process for writing/creating.

For more loose stuff I like one of the sequencers - say from the Microbrute - being the master sync for another synth.

I also like the idea of seeing how much I can do, or how effective I can be without feeling compelled to use all the synths at once. Sometimes two synths is enough - depending on what you're going for.

Also the Laptop/DAW offers it's own synth plugins and drum machines.

I like hardware synths and being able to tweak the knobs. I've tried using a MIDI controller with the parameters MIDI mapped but it doesn't feel/inspire the same.

Different synths have different control layouts, feel, aesthetic that can effect how you approach them. I don't get that feel with a MIDI controller's knobs.

[rfurtkamp]

To get the i-things in on that, you need something that interfaces the MIDI on the other units to the idevice *AND* the app you want to use has to support that device.

As far as level problems, just adjust them. It's not direct box - you're not going to need one for any of them. Just adjust the volumes appropriately!

Sampling I don't do, so...

And I'm a Roland bastard, the stuff all just MIDI cables together without me even thinking about it!

[01010111]

I wish I knew what was going on with synths. I can just turn knobs and get some cool sounds but it's totally random and I certainly can't get a sound in my head and know how to dial it in. My Moog Sub-37 just has too many knobs. I just got a book on my iPad that seems to break it down, just need to find the time.

Why did you buy a relatively complex synth if you don't already have a good grasp of synthesis? Regardless, what you ought to do is memorize the button combo that loads the front panel settings and do that every time you sit down to it. It'll make a lot more sense, and you'll be able to slowly explore and understand the functions of everything.

The first thing I do with any synth I buy is figure out how to program a patch that's as basic as possible, a sort of blank patch that I can load and build on every time I sit down. I'd recommend trying to set the envelopes, filters, oscillators, and lfos as neutral as possible so all you hear is a single oscillator's full-range output. Once you've done that, it's relatively easy to understand how everything works together.


Op:
1: generally speaking there are two ways to sync: via midi, or using an analog signal. The volca-style sync signals on your minilogue and volca beats are analog, just plug in using an aux cord and they'll be synced. The most popular analog sync signal is a clock signal based on control voltage. Midi's really the simplest and most reliable, though. For your ipads you definitely need an interface of some kind, make sure you get one that has midi in and out.

2: just fiddle with the knobs on your mixer as well as the outputs on your various noisemakers. Unless your mixer's broken, you should be able to make something work. Start with one noisemaker, balance the levels until it sounds nice, then move on to the next one.

3: a sample is just an audio recording. Something like the microgranny allows you to play back these recordings, you can trigger them via midi or you can do it manually. I use a volca sample because it lets you play back the samples manually or use the built in 16 step sequencer to sequence the playback of your samples. There are a handful of synths that are based around mangling sampled audio. They play back the audio and pitch the sample to whatever note you play. Sampling fart noises with the SK-1 and playing them back at demonically low pitches is tons of fun, but it doesn't give you many options for modifying the sampled audio. Whether or not you can sync the playback of the samples depends entirely on the features of that sampler.

Overall you just have to try stuff until you find out you like it. What do you like about what you currently have, and why doesn't it deliver on what you want?

[Bearstripes]

Yea im, I'm pretty sure my mixer is broken for sure.

In regards to everything else I guess I'm just ge but novice with all this. I want to just get everything to cooperate.

With sampling, I understand the whole tripper a sample of audio but

1: is there a way to record a sample live and have instant playback? Like record something and then sync and loop it. Even if I can't loop just having the ability to record and play back would be rad and I know that can he volca can't do this. Also looking for a cheaper option just because this isn't my main thing and I can't spend too much money on it.

I'm aware I wouldn't necessarily be able to do the whole record playback thing in the iPad but if anyone can recommend a cool sampler for the iPad that would be rad. Just cause i have one and most apps are cheaper than something physical.

Also. Any other cool iPad apps? Hit me

[Faldoe]

You can use a looper and I'm sure there are looper apps for IOS.

A thing to consider though is do you just want to have a quick sample/loop of a synth recorded or do you want the notes of the melody/riff looped so you can tweak parameters of the synths while the loop plays? In this scenario you'd need something that loops/records Midi. This is was I was describing in my above post about using a DAW and having midi clips recorded and sent to your various hardware devices.

As others said, you need a interface for the Ipads. Get something with Midi I/O

[01010111]

I think for your sampling you'll want to use a dsd-2 or 3, set it for a single repeat, and trigger it using your drum machine. Regardless of how you have the time on it set, the repeat will get triggered every time your drum machine sets off the trigger

[$harkToootth]

I wish I knew what was going on with synths. I can just turn knobs and get some cool sounds but it's totally random and I certainly can't get a sound in my head and know how to dial it in. My Moog Sub-37 just has too many knobs. I just got a book on my iPad that seems to break it down, just need to find the time.

Don't worry, like everything it just takes time. I've been jerking off for years and only just got good at it (and I still get blisters )

Start with sounds you are familiar with. I know this is not your model of synth but both synths follow (for lack of a better word) 'basic' subtractive synth architecture (two oscillators, a filter, lfo for modulation, an envelope generator a mixer and an an amp etc.). I still find this video resourceful.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu2JwwG3bjA[/youtube]

This is sort of the masterclass series. I go back to this ALL THE TIME...
http://www.mediafire.com/file/7w2dcsqmk ... mplete.pdf

Lastly, a lot of how I learned the basics of synths was from the AutomaticGainsay channel...which again I still use...all the time.

I hope this takes some stress of you. You can never master synthesis. Even Don Buchla, Richard Devine and Alessandro Cortini say they have no idea what they're doing.

If you want to get spiritual about it I think Suzanne Ciani's sentiments go a long way, skip to 4:44 for her wisdom but the whole video is great (I personally apply it when I play guitar and go cycling).
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmbwuHOFOGE[/youtube]