Korg Forums

ghostly neutrino · Joined: 05 Apr 2014 Posts: 6

I would be very appreciative if anyone would weigh in on sources for a more intimate understanding of the technical process of synthesis, particularly analog/Korg specific.

What I am after is a good, comprehensive understanding of analog synth features in clear and not overly technical explanations.

I have my eye on a couple books, but there is always some jape reviewer who will tell you that imporatant info that should be in there is not; or else that things are overly simplified.

I like simplified, but I like comprehensive,too.

Mark Vail's new book: The Synthesizer? Welsh's Synthesizer Cookbook?

Anyone recommend these or anything in particular - book or other source.

Thanks in advance.
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no cymbals where none intended

richbeemPOW · Joined: 09 Nov 2013 Posts: 31

The best way is practicing my friend, the rest will come in due time
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KORG ELECTRIBE ESX, MS20 mini, MOOG EP3 PEDAL, ROLAND TR-8

el_hombre · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 10:21 pm Post subject:

Yup, like richbeemPOW said, sitting down with your synth is probably the best thing. Not to mention it's free:) Since you're posting in the MS20 thread, I'll assume you're specifically referring the MS20, in which case, I'd suggest going through Marc Doty's excellent series of clips on youtube. They do a lot for helping penetrate the mysteries of this thing.
From there, there's also a pretty sweet library of patches http://20patch.constructingtowers.com/patch that's pretty awesome. I like just sitting down at my synth with some of these and trying to work out out things I didn't know, this page has been super handy.

richbeemPOW · Joined: 09 Nov 2013 Posts: 31

Here is part one of the second set of videos by marc doty, aka Automatic Gainsay http://youtu.be/SNZpzy8tpw0, very very helpful videos, covering most parts of the ms20.

Here is the older set of videos by the same guy http://youtu.be/eeUBYef2AdQ, also very useful, id go through all of them.

These cover the basic of the ms20 , the oscillators, the filters, modulation, the patch panel, and some of both through actual playing.

Of course you can do much more as marc only touches on the basic and a bit of advanced stuff, there is always more to learn with the ms20.

You should go over these videos and practice these techniques in real time on your ms20, i think marc covers patching for distortion, possible mod wheel controls, sample and hold.

After playing with the synth for long enough, you will know how to use waveforms and filters to create certain sounds, shape them with the enveloppes, and modulate stuff around there to create great sounds.

I for example, like to sample drums i create with the ms20, kick/bass drums, snaredrums, hihats, cymbals toms, apply some bass and synth sounds, its a very versatile machine with a special soundscape.
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KORG ELECTRIBE ESX, MS20 mini, MOOG EP3 PEDAL, ROLAND TR-8

Citizen Klaus

ghostly neutrino · Joined: 05 Apr 2014 Posts: 6

Folks, thank you sincerely for your helpful comments!

Citizen Klaus, I am entertaining acquiring the Syntorial software at some point. Hopefully the need to modify general concepts to fit the specific profile of the MS20 won't be too much of brain strain. Am familiar with Gordon Reid's Sound on Sound series to a point; it was one of the first things I came upon when trawling for analog synth info. Don't find the tech speak onerous - certainly less so than reading something on theoretical physics, but similarly I come away thinking I understand it...sort of.

el_Hombre - gracias for the patch compendium. Am grateful for someone here who alluded to examining patching as a way of honing skills in programming.

richbeamPOW - thanks pal, but I can't gain access with those links for some reason. An error code is indicated. Are these different than the 2013 series he has available? I am combing through these slowly, mostly because work and family matters limit my time.

Thanks everyone for your graciousness. Please be kind enough to weigh in with any other sources for developing analog chops as you see fit.

Monday I am hoping to meet up with an engineer who has put together a professional line of analog synth modules. Aside from the reward of a hands on "look-see" I am hoping to expand my network of contacts to gain an intimate understanding of how it all works and how I can make it work like I hear it in my head.
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no cymbals where none intended