Softsynths for someone new to electronic music production?

[AgentSanchez]

I'm looking for a couple of softsynths to devote my time to, as I'm new to both synth programming and production. I've looked at a number of different offerings, many of which are overly complex for someone who is just getting started.

I'm looking for recommendations for one or two softsynths that are simple enough for me to dive right into making music, yet deep enough that I can start to wrap my head around patch design. Sound quality is also an important consideration...

Reason! It's basicallly a studio in a box and offers three great sounding synths. Great package for a small price.

Logic Express or (on the PC side) Fruity Loops are fun too. Though, Logic is a bit more complex.

Standalone: look into G-Force synths like OSCar, Oddity or MiniMonsta. Great sounding synths that are simple to understand.

[Dubreak]

If you want to make a complete mess of your VST Plugins folder, for free, check here: GERSIC.COM free audio plugin database

[NoVi]

Refx Vanguard
great sounds, little money

[Jazzpunk]

If you're into classic synth sounds, I've got a couple of softsynths from Arturia for sale;

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gears...2600-sale.html

Native Instrument's Massive, FM8 and Pro 53 are all good places to start as well. Plenty of presets to get you going until you begin programming patches of your own;

http://www.nativeinstruments.de/inde...=synthline&L=1

[Strobian]

Buy Logic 8, its the best on the market for the money. It kills reason in sound quality.

[grantlandau]

regarding FM8, if it's anything like FM7...don't start there, way too complicated if your just getting into synthesis..the modulation matrix will make your head spin. NI's Massive and Pro53 .. yes, good places to start.

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by grantlandau

regarding FM8, if it's anything like FM7...don't start there, way too complicated if your just getting into synthesis..the modulation matrix will make your head spin. NI's Massive and Pro53 .. yes, good places to start.

Nope, FM 8's been revamped-completely different interface. Check the demo.

[crufty]

crystal is free and deep. i'd try there first....

Though Massive is ****ing great I don't really think it's that easy to get your head around if you are new to synthesis.
Start with a simple subtractive synth. Pro 53 is a good idea for that as well!

[crufty]

another thought, the magazine computer music has a lot of basic synth vsts.

i think the secret is time. get to know one very well, so make sure its one you like!

[AgentSanchez]

Originally Posted by crufty

i think the secret is time. get to know one very well, so make sure its one you like!

That's exactly why I started this thread

Regarding the logic / reason recommendation, I all ready have Cubase 4. And I've got nothing against free VST synths, provided the quality is there - I don't want to sink any time into learning something that I'm going to want to ditch in a few months.

[vixapphire]

jupiter 8v, while aliasing like nobody's business in the upper ranges of the keyboard, is snappy to use, sounds better than pro-53, and is very easy on the eyes. the demo version's a free download at arturia's site too.

[Oliver Chesler]

If your a real beginner grab a classic: PlastiCZ
reFX - VST/AU Instruments - Software Synthesizers and Effects

[Popbott]

Originally Posted by thx1138

Reason! It's basicallly a studio in a box and offers three great sounding synths. Great package for a small price.

Logic Express or (on the PC side) Fruity Loops are fun too. Though, Logic is a bit more complex.

Standalone: look into G-Force synths like OSCar, Oddity or MiniMonsta. Great sounding synths that are simple to understand.

My thoughts exactly, nice going thx1138. Reason is a great program for beginners. It looks easy, but can be a very deep program as well.

Logic in my opinion is way more complex although Apple has "dumbed" it up quite a bit.

If you want to dive in and start easily making music, I suggest Garage Band for the Mac. A lot of my clients are giving me Garage Band files and asking me to re-do their songs using outboard gear. The initial ideas are great and inspirational. It would have been awesome to have a program like this in early 2000.

Let us know what you decide.

[jimdon]

i messed about with simple synths before
but i really got going when i got massive

it can be complex, but it can also be very simple
i like having everything on one screen too, very handy

[Mental Fred]

Zebra 2 , it can be simple or complex as you want it to be and its one of the best sounding softsynths.

[aeonsound]

a very basic synth designed for beginners:

Angular Momentum VST / VSTi > > Downloads > > View Details > > AM Unitable Free

more detailed subtractive synth (similar to Nord Lead)

KVR: Ichiro Toda Synth1 - Virtual Instrument

[AgentSanchez]

The recommendation for Zebra 2 has piqued my interest - I've heard VERY good things but assumed that it would have a fairly steep learning curve before it becomes useful. I'll also check out Massive as it sounds like it's worth a look.

Out of the other synths listed, however, I think I'm going to start checking out emulations of classic synths (Arturia Minimoog, Gforce Oddity, NI Pro-53, etc...). They all seem to be fairly straightforward and also seem to come highly recommended when it comes to sound quality,

[aeonsound]

to be honest if you are new to synthesis i wouldn't really recommend Zebra2. of course it sounds gorgeous - it's one of my favourite synths - but it's also extremely deep and powerful. like Absynth, there are *heaps* of possibilities, and if you're looking to understand v/a synthesis i don't really think it's the best place to start. will you want or need a 16-stage envelope? do you want modular architecture or a basic 2-osc subtractive synth?

of course, there is an argument to be made that starting with the best and most involving will be a good way to learn. but definitely download the demos before you commit to a $200 piece of software that you might not be able to get the best out of for a while

[alchey]

artruia minimonsta
korg MS-20
and impOSCar <- really dig that last one...

D

[rbb]

Originally Posted by Dubreak

If you want to make a complete mess of your VST Plugins folder, for free, check here: GERSIC.COM free audio plugin database

Ugh, they're mostly for windows

[jonesboy]

I suggest Albino3 by Rob Papen / Linplug. It's affordable, sounds freaking amazing, simple to get started on and still deep enough to be useful when you're a synthesis pro. Not too CPU-hungry, either.

-Matt

[mstrom]

Gforce Minimonsta is one of the best sounding softsynths that I have tried.

[SWAN808]

So Many options!

If a simple analogue style softsynth that sounds good is what you are looking for - the Fabfilter One and Twin are very nice.

Team one of those up with a digital style synth such as FM8 and you're set.

EDIT: CHECK THESE EXCELLENT FREEBIES OUT

VST U-NO-60

VST TAL-BassLine

very nice emulations of the Roland SH101 and Juno 60...

[Stevil]

to start, i'd go with Absynth & one of the many Classic Synth Emulations out there that have all the knobs & sliders right there on the screen.

if you really wanna wrap yer head around synthesis i'd pick up an outboard synth with a ton of knobs on it. much easier to spend time with & really dig into than a plug in.

[chrisso]

Originally Posted by Stevil

if you really wanna wrap yer head around synthesis i'd pick up an outboard synth with a ton of knobs on it. much easier to spend time with & really dig into than a plug in.

exactly my thinking.
hardware is easier.

[supersuper]

If you are just starting out the best thing you can do is pick a sequencer program and then learn how to use the synths in them. I recommend either logic 8 or ableton 7 suite . The synths in both those packages are very good and they are already perfectly integrated into the software programs so you won't have many problems with bugs and you will have greater flexibility of automation than with third party synths.

This is the main reason why i have not bought any third party softsynths; they are just to finickey.

So my advice to you is:

Apple mac + logic 8 + apogee duet or ensemble

or

Apple mac or PC + ableton + RME sound card

[keybdwizrd]

Another vote here for the emulations. I have NI Pro-53, Arturia's ARP2600V and MinimoogV, and Oddity. All are highly recommended... download the demos.

[SWAN808]

Originally Posted by supersuper

If you are just starting out the best thing you can do is pick a sequencer program and then learn how to use the synths in them. I recommend either logic 8 or ableton 7 suite . The synths in both those packages are very good and they are already perfectly integrated into the software programs so you won't have many problems with bugs and you will have greater flexibility of automation than with third party synths.

This is the main reason why i have not bought any third party softsynths; they are just to finickey.

So my advice to you is:

Apple mac + logic 8 + apogee duet or ensemble

or

Apple mac or PC + ableton + RME sound card

Mmm slightly strange that you find softsynths to be finickey but would reccommend such a high spec interface such as the ensemble...

Ive used PCs and Macs and never had much of a problem with any third party softsynths.

Good advice to get a sequencer and try out the included plugins first before dropping loads of money.

Worth getting into the KVR forum as there are so many excellent freeware synths to try before splashing cash....such as the ones I mentioned above...