Synthesis Theory & Beyond



Moderator: Ghost Hip

Synthesis Theory & Beyond

Postby Dowi » Fri Jun 12, 2020 10:25 am

(didn't know where to post this)

Since the last couple of months i started to document myself on the basics of synthesis. My interest grew from the beginning of 2020 and led me to finally buy a Minilogue XD this week to start actually make some experience with phisical stuff (TWSS) instead of randomly moving virtual knobs on Ableton.

The point is: i read a good mount of articles about Oscialltors, LFOs, EGs, etc.., but i would like to find some informations on how to get a certain sound, and i don't mean a video tutorial on how to do it that just shows me what knobs to turn without explaining anything, i want a thing more like "to build xxxxxx sound you should start with a saw/triangle/.. wave because of these reasons, and then sync it with a xxx wave because..." etc etc.

Probably it is just a stupid n00b question,I love to experiment (I spent the last days digging deep into it and starting patches from scratch to understand the behavior and interaction of each knob - and i already know have months of fun ahead) but i am also curious to learn more about the theory behind synthesis and how to create certain sounds.

:snax:


Also, if anyone has some interesting sources about synthesis theory in general i'm happy to hear that too.
BIRCH BARK | Solo stuff | Bandcamp - Youtube
HIBAGON | Polyrhythmic Heavy Duo | Bandcamp - Spotyshit
Dowi

User avatar
IAMILF
IAMILF
 
Posts: 2649
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2016 8:12 am
Location: Italy

Re: Synthesis Theory & Beyond

Postby qersty » Sat Jun 13, 2020 5:52 am

http://www.cim.mcgill.ca/~clark/nordmodularbook/nm_book_toc.html

I have learned alot from spending hours reading this, it covers most types of synthesis and has a pretty nice overview of architecture too. You can download clavias modular demo to play along, the demo is a version upwards so it will not be exactly the same.

https://rhordijk.home.xs4all.nl/G2Pages/
I found this adressing the newer version, it is probably good too but really text heavy and like I just woke up so I won't be reading through it.


I have been meaning to watch this to learn Pure Data but it is really really basic from the start so I like can't do it so it is probably great for a noob. plus you get to learn pure data!

Lastly: just spend time with your minilouge, listen. What does this oscillator do? What will change if I use a bandpass instead of a lowpass here? Also try reverse engineering presets and see what the individual components do. Don't be afraid to ask either, people don't mind stupid question. The answer is always a pair of fat saws into an overdriven lowpass anyways :hug:
imagine finding out your son is your daughter & she's into noise music
qersty

User avatar
IAMILF
IAMILF
 
Posts: 2697
Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2017 11:11 am
Location: Sweden to the oldies

Re: Synthesis Theory & Beyond

Postby coldbrightsunlight » Sat Jun 13, 2020 11:05 am

Those links look good. But I'm afraid I don't think there's a replacement for listening practice, especially when you're talking about traditional analog/subtractive synthesis! The more you play and listen to things you want to emulate the more you'll hear what is happening in other people's synth sounds, rather than just hearing nice sounds.

That said, I would be surprised if there isn't a thread on one of the synth forums with a collection of minilogue "patches". Something like that would be a great start. To be honest the same is true of any synth with a similar architecture, not just the minilogue.
füzz lover. Friend. Quilter evangelist.

I make music sometimes:

https://nitrx.bandcamp.com/

https://mediocrisy.bandcamp.com/

https://fleshcouch.bandcamp.com
coldbrightsunlight

User avatar
Supporter
Supporter
 
Posts: 13522
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 12:20 pm
Location: UK

Re: Synthesis Theory & Beyond

Postby spacelordmother » Mon Jun 15, 2020 10:32 am

spacelordmother

User avatar
HERO
HERO
 
Posts: 5720
Joined: Sun May 16, 2010 4:45 pm
Location: Rochester, NY

Re: Synthesis Theory & Beyond

Postby coldbrightsunlight » Mon Jun 15, 2020 11:17 am

Oh wow yeah that looks perfect for what you're after.
füzz lover. Friend. Quilter evangelist.

I make music sometimes:

https://nitrx.bandcamp.com/

https://mediocrisy.bandcamp.com/

https://fleshcouch.bandcamp.com
coldbrightsunlight

User avatar
Supporter
Supporter
 
Posts: 13522
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 12:20 pm
Location: UK

Re: Synthesis Theory & Beyond

Postby Dowi » Tue Jun 16, 2020 1:29 am

Hey thanks everyone!

@ spacelordmother Yeah! That soundonsound series of articles is one of those i have started to read in the past weeks, definitely complete and extensive, i am (slowly) going on while i try to apply some of these concepts while playing with the synth for better understanding.

@qersty those links are super useful, thanks! the updated one is huge, and surely has more than i need right now, but it's a bible of informations! that being said, yesterday i went through the percussions synthesis chapter of the first link and found some really useful tips.

@cbs Agreed that practice is definitely the most important thing. The more i mess with it the more i realize that the interactions between the various parts of the synth make some drastic changes to the overall sound. Sometimes i start a patch with a clear idea of what i want but end up with something totally different just because i discover something new in a knob twist.


:joy:
BIRCH BARK | Solo stuff | Bandcamp - Youtube
HIBAGON | Polyrhythmic Heavy Duo | Bandcamp - Spotyshit
Dowi

User avatar
IAMILF
IAMILF
 
Posts: 2649
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2016 8:12 am
Location: Italy

Re: Synthesis Theory & Beyond

Postby Gone Fission » Mon Jun 22, 2020 10:05 pm

D.o.S. wrote:Broadly speaking, if we at ILF are dropping 300 bucks on a pedal it probably sounds like an SNES holocaust.
friendship wrote:death to false bleep-blop
UglyCasanova wrote:brb gonna slap my dick on my stomp boxes
Gone Fission

User avatar
IAMILFFAMOUS
IAMILFFAMOUS
 
Posts: 4549
Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2010 1:50 pm
Location: The ungovernable tribal regions southwest of D.C.

Re: Synthesis Theory & Beyond

Postby Dowi » Tue Jun 23, 2020 1:31 am

Gone Fission wrote:This ain’t bad: http://www.herbert-janssen.de/doc/sy-prog.pdf


:group:
BIRCH BARK | Solo stuff | Bandcamp - Youtube
HIBAGON | Polyrhythmic Heavy Duo | Bandcamp - Spotyshit
Dowi

User avatar
IAMILF
IAMILF
 
Posts: 2649
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2016 8:12 am
Location: Italy


Return to Tech & Recording



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests


Sponsored Ad. (Please no inflated/repetitive clicking. Thanks!)



ilovefuzz.com is not responsible for user-submitted content. Users participate at their own discretion and risk.