The Synth Thread...

[fakeplasticdreams]

Repost from the inexpensive synth thread:




I also bought a Korg SQ-1 (sitting on top of the MS 20, above), mostly to use as a Midi to CV converter for older gear. I'm still trying to figure it out— much of the info I've found on it is a bit cryptic — but I'm slowly getting the hang of it...I think. I don't know if it gives me anything I don't already have in my DAW, honestly.

you're not alone on trying to figure out how to maximize the SQ1 - abit of a learning curve for someone like me who has no experience with sequencers...

[UlricvonCatalyst]

I spent a few hours recently getting to grips with the arpeggiator/sequencer of my MicroBrute. My findings: augmented triads ascending at minor third intervals = instant Bernard Herrmann.

[Shadoweclipse13]

I've been really wanting to look into a proper (though hopefully not too expensive or too complicated) synth. With things like Blade Runner 2, Stranger Things, and Synchronicity (amazing soundtrack!) and digital music being big these days, I'm really interested.

Full disclosure: I am very slowly learning (and painfully) how to play keyboard and piano, and have never messed with synths. I realize that I have a lot to learn and quite a bit of reading to do, and I'm not asking about everything I don't know here!

I found a video of the Moog Mother-32 and absolutely fell in love. I know it's about standalone synth, and from the Moog literature, like like it can take external audio to process as well, but can you hook up a small/medium sized keyboard to it for that purpose as well? I know there are complete synths that have a keyboard AND synth engine, but I like the idea of starting with just the synth, and learning that before adding other things to it.

[DesmondWafers]

Yeah, you can hook up a keyboard to a mother 32. I would recommend starting with something like a mini/monologue or minibrute though. Mother 32 in essence is modular and that can be a pretty intimidating place to start, especially with a patch bay. Mini/monologue are actually so good to learn on because of the oscilloscope.

[Shadoweclipse13]

I just looked them up. They're both priced a bit nicer than the Mother-32. Haha. I don't mind a higher learning curve, but listening to the demos, I think the Mother-32 sounds more like the tones I like. I definitely agree that the patch bay might be a bit much at first, but I like to experiment

As someone who's never messed with synths, are there some connections you can't make with the patch bay, that would actually damage them, or can you pretty much jump between any of them?

[DesmondWafers]

Nah, the patch bay is just for modulation and what not so there's nothing you could do to damage it. One thing to keep in mind is that synth demos are actually somehow worse than guitar demos in demonstrating the sounds. Synth sounds are pretty much infinite, so very rarely do I hear ANYTHING in a demo that sounds remotely good to my ears. Nick at sonicstate on youtube is the king of synth demos, I would give some of those videos a watch if you haven't already.

[Shadoweclipse13]

Nah, the patch bay is just for modulation and what not so there's nothing you could do to damage it. One thing to keep in mind is that synth demos are actually somehow worse than guitar demos in demonstrating the sounds. Synth sounds are pretty much infinite, so very rarely do I hear ANYTHING in a demo that sounds remotely good to my ears. Nick at sonicstate on youtube is the king of synth demos, I would give some of those videos a watch if you haven't already.

That's good to know! I don't really trust tone off demos too often, at least not based on just one. I might take an "average" off of a few. I've listened to a few for the Mother-32 that sounded good.

I'm also planning on running a slide guitar and a few noise boxes I've got (e.g. Electro-Faustus) through whatever I get, so the option of using a synth as a filter as well as its own instrument is pretty important.

I'm certainly open to suggestions, but man, everything I hear about the Mother just sounds so perfect. I like the sound of modern synths, but for me that classic Moog 70's kinda analog synth sound is what I'm after. Like this:
Synchronicity (Original Motion Picture ... urn false;
(Also a really good movie!)

[DesmondWafers]

Most analog synths could do that pretty well, I imagine, but a really nice reverb is way more important there than the actual synth. Luckily, I know you have a context so whatever you choose you could make those types of sounds with ease.

[Shadoweclipse13]

Most analog synths could do that pretty well, I imagine, but a really nice reverb is way more important there than the actual synth. Luckily, I know you have a context so whatever you choose you could make those types of sounds with ease.

I do! That's good to know that most synths could do that sound. I'm definitely planning on running the output through my pedalboard for some crazy funky-ness. It's gonna be fun

[mackerelmint]

Hey Jason, a great cheap place to start with synths, as far as hardware goes, is the roland JV series. If you look at JV 1080 and 2080 videos, you'll see how lush and amazing they can sound. And they're fucking cheap, because people don't want mid 90s rompler technology. Their loss. You can do simple on them, and you can go very deep and do very complex as well. You're just not gonna get the knob twiddling fix.

[Shadoweclipse13]

Thanks for the recommendation Megan! I'm packing the apartment and I've been listening to synth demos on YouTube all day (in between spats of season 5 of Adventure Time ). Mostly the Moog Mother-32, but I just listened to some for the Korg MS-20 Mini and a Minilogue. Still have the Monologue and Microbrute to check out, and I'll add that one to the mix!

Roland is kinda already on my radar for a keyboard that has a decent piano sound to it

[Shadoweclipse13]

Per demo listening, so far Arturia Microbrute and Korg Minilogue are my favorites, next to the Mother-32. Didn't much care for the sound of the Korg MS-20 Mini, but it was ok. Still got more to check out!

[BlixaFan]

FWIW i spent an hour playing with a Moog Mother 32, and the only thing that kept me from buying it on the spot was because i had some other expenses. I will buy it though. I like the moog sound more than arturia, and as much as i like the MS20, it has a very characteristic sound that may or may not work for you, depending on what kind of music you write.

[Shadoweclipse13]

FWIW i spent an hour playing with a Moog Mother 32, and the only thing that kept me from buying it on the spot was because i had some other expenses. I will buy it though. I like the moog sound more than arturia, and as much as i like the MS20, it has a very characteristic sound that may or may not work for you, depending on what kind of music you write.

My feeling exactly. They all have their thing, but the Moog sound is what I think of when I think "synth". To be fair, I have a deep love of all things 70's, all things Sci-Fi, so 70's Sci-Fi is a very deep love of mine.

[DesmondWafers]

If your heart is set on the mother, so be it, but be aware it is a single oscillator which can be limiting. Something like a used slim/little phatty might be up your alley, from what I remember those are very good for the sci-fi side of synths.