I want to get started on soft synths, and I need help
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I want to get started on soft synths, and I need help
I dont even know where to begin.... I need a complete rundown on what you need to have a soft synth setup, If anyone can help me, it would be GREATLY appreciated, thank you!
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themusicman2001
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Lorenzo is right.
However, do you have a budget...? if so... then you could have a look at a few of the commercial soft-synths about. Try Reason or Absynth, they are both capable of some immense sounds. Not sure what génre you compose in, but here's one of mine using Absynth...
Minor Experiment: http://www.themouthpiece.com/music/minor_experiment.mp3
However, do you have a budget...? if so... then you could have a look at a few of the commercial soft-synths about. Try Reason or Absynth, they are both capable of some immense sounds. Not sure what génre you compose in, but here's one of mine using Absynth...
Minor Experiment: http://www.themouthpiece.com/music/minor_experiment.mp3
John
My Gallery | iMac | Virus TI | Korg KARMA
My Gallery | iMac | Virus TI | Korg KARMA
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RiotNrrd
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If you are looking for an entire studio-in-a-box, you cannot go wrong with Propellerheads Reason. It has nearly everything one needs for electronic music composition "from soup to nuts" (there's an American colloquialism that makes no literal sense at all).
I have Propellerheads Reason, Ableton Live, Native Instruments Reaktor and Absynth, and about a bazillion freeware softsynths. I use Reason for probably 95% of what I write. It's easy to get your head around, it's extremely versatile, it sounds good, and it contains so much stuff it'll take you years to learn it all, yet it still won't overwhelm you with complexity. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
You will, of course, also need a MIDI controller (i.e., a keyboard), regardless of your choice of packages. And decent monitors - computer speakers will work, but they aren't an ideal choice.
I have Propellerheads Reason, Ableton Live, Native Instruments Reaktor and Absynth, and about a bazillion freeware softsynths. I use Reason for probably 95% of what I write. It's easy to get your head around, it's extremely versatile, it sounds good, and it contains so much stuff it'll take you years to learn it all, yet it still won't overwhelm you with complexity. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
You will, of course, also need a MIDI controller (i.e., a keyboard), regardless of your choice of packages. And decent monitors - computer speakers will work, but they aren't an ideal choice.
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RiotNrrd
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what is t his VST thing, is it needed?
VST is a type of plug-in architecture for softsynths, allowing them to be inserted in various types of host applications (Ableton Live, Cubase, Sonar, Logic, Tracktion, etc.) and then played as if they were part of those applications.
Many packages support VSTs, and most softsynths - both freeware and commercial - can be used as VSTs (and, in fact, that generally is how they are used, rather than as standalones).
Propellerheads Reason does not support VSTs, as it is designed as an all-in-one software studio. When I want to, I use my VST synths in Ableton Live, although, as I mentioned, I don't use Live nearly as much as I do Reason.
VST is a type of plug-in architecture for softsynths, allowing them to be inserted in various types of host applications (Ableton Live, Cubase, Sonar, Logic, Tracktion, etc.) and then played as if they were part of those applications.
Many packages support VSTs, and most softsynths - both freeware and commercial - can be used as VSTs (and, in fact, that generally is how they are used, rather than as standalones).
Propellerheads Reason does not support VSTs, as it is designed as an all-in-one software studio. When I want to, I use my VST synths in Ableton Live, although, as I mentioned, I don't use Live nearly as much as I do Reason.
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higskies
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I would recommend Live over Reason because of the fact that Reason doesn't allow additional plugins. I've used both and purchased Live because of that reason alone (pun intended).
Expandability is key, especially if you're young in the game. I would have changed my mind on some of my purchases if I knew their expandability was inferior. Just an insight.
Expandability is key, especially if you're young in the game. I would have changed my mind on some of my purchases if I knew their expandability was inferior. Just an insight.
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Korg TR, Legacy DE, padKontrol, M-Audio Axiom, Alesis QS7.1, Yamaha YS-200, Casio VZ-8M, Roland D-110, E-mu ESI-32, Absynth 3, FM7, Live 7, Sonar Producer 7, PreSonus Firepod interface, KRK Rokit5 monitors, Focusrite/Behringer/PreSonus preamps, Rode/Blue/Shure mics, kazoos?, Fender Telecaster, Danelectro U2, Epiphone Les Paul Studio, VOX/Peavey/Gorilla amps, Sigma DY10 Acoustic
Korg TR, Legacy DE, padKontrol, M-Audio Axiom, Alesis QS7.1, Yamaha YS-200, Casio VZ-8M, Roland D-110, E-mu ESI-32, Absynth 3, FM7, Live 7, Sonar Producer 7, PreSonus Firepod interface, KRK Rokit5 monitors, Focusrite/Behringer/PreSonus preamps, Rode/Blue/Shure mics, kazoos?, Fender Telecaster, Danelectro U2, Epiphone Les Paul Studio, VOX/Peavey/Gorilla amps, Sigma DY10 Acoustic
Get Reason and a midi controller (keyboard) and either a midi interface or USB midi.
And if you want to use other VST softsynths or record audio from other sources (keyboards, guitar, mic, etc) then get a ReWire-compatible software sequencer such as Pro Tools.
Personally I would recommend Mbox2 and Reason, if you have the budget, these two items will let you do all of the above, just add a keyboard controller.
In my experience, Reason is easier and quicker to use than poking buttons while hunched over a Korg Triton Extreme
And if you want to use other VST softsynths or record audio from other sources (keyboards, guitar, mic, etc) then get a ReWire-compatible software sequencer such as Pro Tools.
Personally I would recommend Mbox2 and Reason, if you have the budget, these two items will let you do all of the above, just add a keyboard controller.
In my experience, Reason is easier and quicker to use than poking buttons while hunched over a Korg Triton Extreme
If you're going to use VSTs (software plugins), you'll need some program that can act as a host. Many digital audio workstations (DAW) can do this. There are also some free host programs, that don't do anything but host plugins. Of course, there are a lot of different plugins (instruments, effects, etc.).
Start with a free host, and some free VSTs from kvraudio.com.
To use your Korg hardware keyboard, you'll need a host program that can handle external instruments or a plugin that can do that.
Start with a free host, and some free VSTs from kvraudio.com.
To use your Korg hardware keyboard, you'll need a host program that can handle external instruments or a plugin that can do that.
