Hello, everyone. Quick question. I'd like to start experimenting with a synthesizer. What's a good one to start with?
I'd like to use it for stuff like sweeps, possibly drops. Things to add some mood to certain tracks. Maybe be able to recreate the Baba O'Reily type sound.
Presets would be ok, but I'd like to be able to adjust things or start sounds from scratch and don't really know where to begin.
Googling just gives pages and pages of results on this so hoping to narrow it down to a few contenders based on people here's experiences.
If anybody would like to make a recommendation or point me at some good beginner tutorials, I would very much appreciate it.
Kinda can't believe I haven't looked into this yet.

 

I learned on Serum and I thought it was pretty straight forward and easy to learn and use.

 

Thats actually a very big question. I believe Baba O'riley used ARP synths

For anything Analog Emulated, I would recommend U-he Repro or Diva: https://u-he.com/ For actual ARP emulation, Wayoutware's TimewARP 2600 is pretty cool: https://secure.wayoutware.com/products.html And Arturia has a cool ARP emulation as well: https://www.arturia.com/

Here's a good review of TimeARP 2600:

Here's a Arturia ARP 2600 v3 Tutorial - Part 1: Overview & Modular Basics:

Arp 2600 Arturia Modular ARP 2600 Tutorial - Part 2: Sound Design Techniques

 

@SceleJohn, thanks for that recommendation! I'll look into it.
@Nana Banana, I very much appreciate the detailed quick response. I also appreciate the link to the Sound Design Tutorial. That's what I'm looking for so I can start designing my own sounds or recreating others.

 

Maybe simpler synths, in terms of handling, are better to start with?

For instance Reveal's Sound Spire or Synapse Audio's Dune.

 

If you are serious with Sound Design and want an all inclusive synth, learn the following in order (even if you don't agree with this order):
1. Zebra 2. Massive X 3. Serum or spire.

 

https://u-he.com/products/tyrelln6/
Freeware Synth Tyrell N6 – V3.0 Rev: 3898

http://www.amazona.de/wp-content/tyrell/TyrellN6_V303_Win.zip
http://www.amazona.de/wp-content/tyrell/TyrellN6_V303_Mac.zip

manual_ENG
https://www.amazona.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Tyrell-N6_v3.0.3898_manual_ENG_v1.1.pdf

Lennar.Digital.Sylenth
Native-Instruments.Massive.v1
Reveal.Sound.Spire
Synapse.Audio.Dune
Synapse.Audio.The.Legend
Xfer.Records.Serum

u-he.ACE
u-he.Bazille
u-he.Diva
u-he.Hive
u-he.Repro
u-he.Zebra2

 

Last edited: Aug 10, 2019

There are so many free synths.... that are good quality

 

try https://tal-software.com/products/tal-noisemaker FREE or http://gudaaudio.com/euterpexl . they look simpe-ish

 

Noise maker mentioned before is an excellent synth to learn. But you will feel limited as soon as you understand how synthesis works.
Reveal sound Spire, can be used simply, so it's good for learning, but has enough possibilities to keep it once you understand and do more complicated sounds with it.

 

Things to avoid...



The worst user interface ever.



Anything modular but particularly Reaktor.



Anything mad ass.



Anything with a timebomb in it.



And anything FM Synthesis.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Aug 10, 2019

Agreed to those refering free synths,
best option for learning at no costs yet very good quality.

"Free" doesn`t equal to "cheap" or "low quality" these days,
it means less features which may become of interest for the more advanced users.

Beginners can play around with mentioned free synths for a year or two and don`t miss anything.
Plus the advantage one does know then what to buy to get more specific features.

Free ones & easy to learn (x32/x64) in general from:
u-he (& in coop with ...)
Togu Audio Line (TAL)
BlauKraut Engineering
Daichi (Synth 1)
Full Bucket Music

To be fair, a dozens others can be named as well ...
soft synths have very good entry points without spending a dime.

 

Absolutely right!!!
Btw, with computer music magazine, you can have free synth, together with tutorials about them. That could be a great start for you.

Also true that you should not begin with FM synth nor modular ones, not yet.

 

when you able to programm a arp you will be able to programm any synth....EDIT ok fm synth is another story..
i think you kno the basics synth parameters allready didnt you ...

with the ones from nana and this here you covered ....

 

Last edited: Aug 10, 2019

Thank you everyone! I suppose my background may help also. I've got extensive electronics experience (radio repair, consumer electronics repair and software development) so I hope I'll be able to grasp the basics fairly well.
I'll definitely start at the free or Sister site.

 

OMG my eyes are bleedingggg with that pic...!!
Too good

 

i would recommend the goto synth of your Daw of choice, because of familiar concepts/controls its gonna be easier to wrap your head around.
people already mentioned a lot of good plugins, il add Synth1 to the list, its one of the best free synths of all time and not too crazy complex, yet powerful.

but before doing anything have a look at this

its a a simple, quick, interactive step by step guide through the basics of Synthesis in your Browser.



a great way to learn synthesis is the modular world, with your background its gonna be a no brainer

 

wtf...always something yet not known , here...

 

For instance Reveal's Sound Spire or Synapse Audio's Dune.

 

wtf...always something yet not known , here...

 

Last edited: Nov 16, 2019