I'm getting into sound engineering, but i'm not sure which synth i should learn. I've heard that Serum is best for beginners, but i would just like to hear u guys thoughts

 

Learn basic synthesis first, what wavetables are, what additive, subtractive and granular synthesis are as concepts. Understanding wavetable interaction is key to sound engineering. Also learning what FM and RM are would also help too conceptually. Try any synth that has these capabilities then read or watch a manual/tutorial. IMO take whichever synth graphically appeals to you the most, as you may find it easier to navigate. The first synth i learned about was 3xOsc (a basic synth, just literally 3 oscillators with a small amount of controls), then Sytrus & Sylenth1 (a lot more complex in terms of routing, more sound design capabilities), but you could take whatever approach you wish as long as you understand the underlying concept of how the sound it being made.

 

Although I agree with synth. almost completely, I don't have a clue why

that should be the case.
Synthesis is a tiny tiny tiny fraction of sound engineering.

 

Definitely agree with what you are saying too, of course! I was just answering what i felt was in relation to the question :P. Sound design/ engineering goes far beyond just wavetable interaction, but i think that would require a slightly different question if it encompasses more that just singular soft synth design as an isolated element which is what i felt the question encompassed.

 

3xosc or vanguard would be a easier strating point I gues, massive can't be that hard either.
serum makes easy stuff complex in terms of 'options' in my opinion so I would not start with that.

 

Yes..learning basic synthesis is MOST IMPORTANT thing but in case of serum and massive, I Highly recommend SERUM. With the visual feedback and stuff, i thing it is ONE OF THE BEST (if not the best) synthesizer in the market... its best for beginners and even better for professionals!

 

I think this list of tutorials could help you. A good way to start IMO....

ADSR Sounds - FM Synthesis_[TUTORiAL]
ADSR Sounds - ZEBRA Filters Masterclass_[TUTORiAL]
ADSR Sounds - ZEBRA Oscillators And Envelopes Masterclass_[TUTORiAL]
ASK Video - The Foundation Of Synthesis_[TUTORiAL]
Conservatorium Of Audio - Introduction To Synthesis_[TUTORiAL]
DanceMusicProduction.Com - Synthesis 1_[TUTORiAL]
DanceMusicProduction.Com - Synthesis 2_[TUTORiAL]
Digital Labz - Wedge - Insights In Synthesis_[TUTORiAL]
Echo Sound Works - Subtractive vs Wavetable Synthesis_[TUTORiAL]
Groove3 - Analog Synths Explained_[TUTORiAL]
Groove3 - Synths Explained_[TUTORiAL]
Lynda.Com - Synth Programming Basics_[TUTORiAL]
Lynda.Com - Synth Programming Beyond Basics_[TUTORiAL]
MacProVideo - Analog Synthesis In A Digital World_[TUTORiAL]
MacProVideo - Richard Lainhart Advanced Synthesis_[TUTORiAL]
MassiveSynth.Com - Wavetables Course_[TUTORiAL]
Rob Papen - Secrets Of Subtractive Synthesis_The 4 Element Synth_[TUTORiAL]
Sonic Academy - Artist Series_Modular Synthesis_[TUTORiAL]
Sonic Academy - Synthesis 101_Subtractive Synthesis_[TUTORiAL]
Sonic Academy - Synthesis And Sound Design_Understanding FM Synthesis With King Unique_[TUTORiAL]
SoundMagus - Subtractive Synthesis Course With U-He Zebra v2.5_[TUTORiAL]
Vespers.Ca - Synthesis 101 Online Course_[TUTORIAL]
Vespers.Ca - Synthesis And & Sound Design_[TUTORiAL]

 

Learn
- Subtractive
- FM
- Additive
- Wavetable

I'd suggest learning subtractive first, once you understand the basics you'll be able to apply it to things. Good luck mate! :D

 

While I agree with some of the other comments in terms of learning basic synthesis. To answer you question, I would learn SERUM first If I were you. The reason I say this is because of Serums intuitive interface. you can see the wave forms and draw your LFO's. this gives you a greater overall understanding of how your actions are effecting the sound. This is priceless information that can help make sense of synthesis in general. This can then be applied to any synth.

 

One other suggestion i might add regardless of what soft synth you end up with try to get a hardware controller as well so you can have "hands on" experience when adjusting parameters its nice to use 2 hands. i never liked working with a mouse when creating a sound. I guess that comes from my upbringing, i started learning on Pro 1's /arp Odysseys/ Juno 60 then Jupiter 8 and D-50 with a PG 1000 . its how i learned signal flow and what it all meant LFO/ASDR etc.

 

I would recommend learning Native Instruments Reaktor. I know it's not trendy, maybe ugly, sure it's difficult but at the very same time of learning synthesis, you learn all the inside modules of a synth/effect, how Oscillators are built, audio routing , creating your own modulations.... and much more. It's getting into detail of how a synth works inside.

Once you master Reaktor, getting into the rest will look like a child's game.

Reaktor is a beast, but it will always depend on your creativity and knowledge....but wasn't that, making music is about?

 

Last edited: Aug 10, 2015

Also take a look at "Syntorial"... maybe...

 

If you are getting into sound engineering, you are going AWAY from synthesis and sound design. Perhaps you mean you are getting into synthesis/sound design?

A simple synth is good for a beginner. There is even a free 2-OSC synth called Clearsynth which xoxos made, written with a synth beginner user/student in mind (the presets are even going from simple to more advanced, covering oscillators, amp envelopes, filters, filter envelopes, LFOs, key-tracking, velocity-tracking, etc. The basics of any subtractive synth, really):
http://www.xoxos.net/vst/vst.html#synthesizers

 

Last edited: Aug 10, 2015

These articles which Sound On Sound ran awhile ago are a great resource which cover synthesis in their usual practical manner
http://www.soundonsound.com/search?page=3&Keyword=Synth Secrets or http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/allsynthsecrets.htm
Like others have mentioned already, I fully agree; Learn in general and then focus on mastering the instrument(s) which you like, That is where the tutorial videos specific to an instrument come in extremely useful aswell as youtube

Hope that helps and all the best to everyone as always

 

Yes agree with all that said.

You can't really say "which synth should I learn" as that's a bit like a mechanic saying I'll learn to fix this car engine and no others.

Learn about the whole process of how to create the sound via several different methods and then you can apply that accumulated knowledge in all areas rather than just one tiny area.

Long road but good fun, Good luck

 

I will throw a curve ball and suggest a hardware synth. It's more engaging to have tactile knobs and sliders, and your instrument becomes an extension of you.

 

Whilst there definitely some merit to this and I agree to a certain extent I disagree with other parts.

With the complexity of midi controllers amongst other things that available on todays market then you can't really say that a setup like Tim Exile has etc doesn't use hardware knobs, loopers, mashers etc and that his rig completely built over 2 years in Reaktor is not an extension of himself or not engaging?

Reaktor for example can do just about anything most hardware synths can do and probably much more.

The main benefits of a hardware synth mainly lie in that the processing power all done externally leaving your machine to concentrate on other stuff.

However with the power of the machines available today that not really a problem.

That's not to say there ain't a place for analogue hardware or a Virus etc coz there definitley is.

 

I agree with you, but we are talking about a beginner here, just one man and his synth with no additional layers between them for a pure learning experience - a dedicated knob/slider for every function

 

Yeah I'm not totally disagreeing like or saying any wrong or right and probably agree that for a beginner it possibly a little complex.

However I do think that whilst like you say some hardware synths are great and there definitely a place that if he wants to learn synthesis it may serve him better in the long run to begin with maybe a simple synth rather than spend a load of cash on a virus etc.

Don't get me wrong that would be great and another avenue but possibly in the long term learning about synthesis would provide him with more of an all round grounding on which to then expand upon

I also think it can still be a tactile experience say if you have a powerfull system etc.
No right and wrong and merits to both approaches I guess