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hyper diaper
Joined: May 12, 2008
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 9:57 am Post subject:
Should I get a synthesizer? |
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Hi guys, I'm new here. I'm also new to making electronic music.
I have been messing around with a program called Fruity Loops for a few days now. I find it very easy to make drum loops and to arrange songs, but I'm not able to create all the sounds I want. Maybe it's because I'm inexperienced with using software like this, or do I need a synthesizer?
(If it matters: I kinda want to make music similar to The Prodigy).
I appreciate all advices!
Thanks. |
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destroyifyer
Joined: Mar 22, 2006
Posts: 273
Location: USA
Audio files: 8
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 11:24 pm Post subject:
Subject description: info |
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Computer music info: Check this out:Free music software for windows. I posted links to some free virtual synthesizers (VST) on there (page 4). You can use these with FL studio. There's hundreds of them posted on the internet. You should be able to make the sounds you want with some of these. If you need any help setting up some VST's then send me a message on here and I wouldn't mind telling you how to rig them up, where to find the good ones, whatever.
more computer music info: I've come to realize that 512mb of RAM is a minimum (1MB ideal) for pushing a CPU to the max, as far as virtual synthesis goes. If you want to check how much RAM your computer has right-click "my computer" and it should give the specs right there I think. If you have 512mb it will probably display as "478mb" or something stupid.
An affordable synthesizer would probably be a good choice for you. I would consider one more "reliable" than an average computer for live playing, as in instant patch changes and you don't have to worry about most of them freezing up on you. But don't get me wrong, I've been rocking my computer for 8 years and the only new equipment I've ever got is a multi-track recorder and a midi controller...and of course a synthesizer that got busted in half...long story.
A Micro-Korg seems like the ideal thing for you. It's a little digital synth, I like those alot. You've probably see them...it's got a vocoder (vocoders are totally awesome). And it doubles as a Midi controller (playing VST's with your computer keyboard gets really old really fast), so you could hook it up to F.L. studio and jam virtual synths on there as well. That would probably be a pretty cool setup.
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v-un-v
Janitor
Joined: May 16, 2005
Posts: 5407
Location: Birmingham, UK
Audio files: 8
G2 patch files: 1
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 2:09 am Post subject:
Subject description: info |
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| destroyifyer wrote: | | I've come to realize that 512mb of RAM is a minimum (1MB ideal) |
I think the destroyer means '1 Gigabyte' (1GB).
 to electro-music.com btw!  |
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dualphin
Joined: Jan 25, 2008
Posts: 71
Location: Boulder, CO USA
G2 patch files: 4
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| Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 3:00 pm Post subject:
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destroyifier,
You also might want to look at a Korg R3. It is the next step up from the Microkorg, and has a very cool sound.
d
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dualphin
Joined: Jan 25, 2008
Posts: 71
Location: Boulder, CO USA
G2 patch files: 4
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| Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 3:05 pm Post subject:
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and btw, LOL!
I like the topic heading. "Should I get a synthesizer."
Asking that here...
You should definitely get a synthesizer. Even if you end up buying "the wrong one," (as I did several times before I found the right style of synth for me) you will learn A LOT. Your first synth will definitely leave a mark on you, and will color the way you use synths, always.
I recommend that you buy exactly simultaneously with the synth a book on synthesis... I wish I had when I started out. Would have saved me much trouble. Any suggestions, anyone?
d
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dualphin |
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Inventor
Joined: Oct 13, 2007
Posts: 1700
Location: Florida, USA
Audio files: 67
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| Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 3:59 pm Post subject:
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When I found out there was such a thingamajig as a synthesizer, I was very excited about it! But I could not afford one, not for a while anyway, so I wrote my own soft synth and made it do just what I wanted it to do. I guess it would be easier to use one ready-made, but I'm a ChucKist now and I wanted one that would work seamlessly with my other ChucK music software. Now I have a fun tool to use and enjoy for years to follow. So consider a soft synth, they're free and you can get a feel for synthesis and decide exactly what you really want in a hardware synth as you use the soft synth. Plus soft synths are very flexible: if I want 11 oscillators, I get 11 oscillators for example. You can't easily do things like that with hardware unless you've got deep pockets or lots of time to build! Whatever your choice is, have fun with it! Cheers.
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For those about to ChucK, we salute you! - Ge Wang
Let's make noise for peace! - kijjaz |
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v-un-v
Janitor
Joined: May 16, 2005
Posts: 5407
Location: Birmingham, UK
Audio files: 8
G2 patch files: 1
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| Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:11 pm Post subject:
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| Inventor wrote: | | So consider a soft synth, they're free and you can get a feel for synthesis and decide exactly what you really want in a hardware synth as you use the soft synth. Plus soft synths are very flexible: if I want 11 oscillators, I get 11 oscillators for example. |
Check out the freeware Clavia Nord G2 demo too! You may find that you won't need anything else for a time.  |
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elektro80
Site Admin
Joined: Mar 25, 2003
Posts: 19549
Location: Norway
Audio files: 20
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| Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:57 pm Post subject:
Re: Should I get a synthesizer? |
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| hyper diaper wrote: | | Hi guys, I'm new here. |
| hyper diaper wrote: | I'm also new to making electronic music.
I have been messing around with a program called Fruity Loops for a few days now. I find it very easy to make drum loops and to arrange songs, but I'm not able to create all the sounds I want. Maybe it's because I'm inexperienced with using software like this, or do I need a synthesizer?
(If it matters: I kinda want to make music similar to The Prodigy).
|
If you had been playing the guitar it would have been much easier. That means you would have singled out one specific instrument and you just might someday learn to play like Jimmy Page, but you would also need a band. Instead you are kinda into synths and want to kickstart the learning process by sounding like Prodigy.  But that´s fine. Ambition is good!
You don´t need a real synth. Software is good. You need just a USB midi keyboard controller, possibly a very simple audio interface and headphones. I don´t know Fruity Loops, but I guess you can get software samplers and software instruments for it?
There are two separate issues here. You must learn to use your gear and you also must learn how to play and make music. I think you should consider taking keyboard lessons and you should also consider playing with others. If you go that route then you will need some sort of synth/keyboard. You might however not need a very advanced synth, but rather something with a lot of different sounds suitable for a various musical styles. You can do the heavy synth stuff on your computer.
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elektro80
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Joined: Mar 25, 2003
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baranger1
Joined: Apr 12, 2008
Posts: 7
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 9:18 pm Post subject:
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hyper diaper,
Thanks for bringing up Prodigy!
I love that band.
I have been experiment with the Electropunk sound using the Guitar effects VG-99 unit.
I have found distorting the synths using an Overdrive or Distortion unit
will take you very far.
Many soft synths have the distortion feature built in, but a lot can be done with what ever keyboard you have at hand along with a simple guitar fuzz box!
It all up to the imagination in twisting reality.
I did a short clip today called Electropunk.
It is a few down the list.
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=781088&content=music
Thanks again for bringing that band up!
It was a very cool learning experience for me.
Good luck in your quest.
Bill |
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hyper diaper
Joined: May 12, 2008
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 6:53 am Post subject:
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Woah, thanks for all the help everyone. I'll look more into all this later when I got time  |
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Antimon
Joined: Jan 18, 2005
Posts: 1127
Location: Sweden
Audio files: 10
G2 patch files: 58
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| Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 2:21 pm Post subject:
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There is something to the instant availability of a physical, dedicated knob or switch though. The closest I've come to dedicated controls is the Alesis Ion (which still gets you navigating a lot of menus and the knobs are shared across parts), but I find I get a different kind of enjoyment out of it when there is that quick "I want to tweak that filter cutoff -> I am tweaking it" action. It limits you, but it's educational.
/Stefan
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hyper diaper
Joined: May 12, 2008
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 7:38 am Post subject:
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| dualphin wrote: | and btw, LOL!
I like the topic heading. "Should I get a synthesizer."
d |
Haha, yeah well, I'm not sure what I should get and what I shouldn't get, since I'm a beginner at this
I looked at that MicroKorg. Nice price and everything, maybe that's something for me to start with(Edit: actually before I buy anything I'll just try out some freeware).
Last edited by hyper diaper on Thu May 15, 2008 8:15 am; edited 1 time in total |
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hyper diaper
Joined: May 12, 2008
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 7:43 am Post subject:
Re: Should I get a synthesizer? |
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| elektro80 wrote: |
If you had been playing the guitar it would have been much easier. That means you would have singled out one specific instrument and you just might someday learn to play like Jimmy Page, but you would also need a band. Instead you are kinda into synths and want to kickstart the learning process by sounding like Prodigy. But that´s fine. Ambition is good!
You don´t need a real synth. Software is good. You need just a USB midi keyboard controller, possibly a very simple audio interface and headphones. I don´t know Fruity Loops, but I guess you can get software samplers and software instruments for it?
There are two separate issues here. You must learn to use your gear and you also must learn how to play and make music. I think you should consider taking keyboard lessons and you should also consider playing with others. If you go that route then you will need some sort of synth/keyboard. You might however not need a very advanced synth, but rather something with a lot of different sounds suitable for a various musical styles. You can do the heavy synth stuff on your computer. |
I do play guitar, and I have been playing in a band for about 5 years, I have recorded and made tons of music, though thats mostly metal, blues and rock. The problem with the guitar playing is that my arms are having tendon trouble due to too much practicing
So here I am trying to make electronic music while recovering.
Thanks again everyone. |
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Jyoti
Joined: Mar 07, 2008
Posts: 533
Location: Derby, UK
Audio files: 3
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| Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 1:52 pm Post subject:
Re: Should I get a synthesizer? |
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| hyper diaper wrote: | | Maybe it's because I'm inexperienced with using software like this, or do I need a synthesizer? |
FL is a fun app but... I'm going to tell you to get a synth. I firmly believe everyone's lives would be improved if they had a little blinking, blarping friend in their spare room, waiting to be prodded.
And I'm not kidding. Some of my best friends are synths! 
On the other hand, if you're considering software and like The Prodigy, then you should maybe check out Reason if you haven't already:
| Quote: | Freeing himself up from the restriction of using lead vocalists was an important step in the creation of this album. However, perhaps more significant was the decision to write entirely using Propellerhead Reason on his G4.
The move followed a near fruitless year of working in his home studio with long-time cohort Neil McLellan. It was slow going, and Howlett sank into the depths of creative depression. Ironically, one of the things holding him back was the huge amount of equipment he had amassed.
Almost at the breaking point, he installed 10 years of sounds onto his G4 and started messing around with Reason. It was a revelation to him. “I was feeling very stale in my studio, and the more equipment I bought, the less I seemed to be feeling the vibe,” Howlett reveals. “I just found myself going back to the same equipment; it was always the reliable old stuff. More and more, I had this whole thing about just not wanting to be in the studio, and I just started doing more on the laptop. This whole thing about wanting to write on the laptop was that it was pure, you know? No one else could fuck with it. And the mobile way of writing was just so refreshing that I took the kit I needed and locked the door. The rest of the shit is still in there.” |
http://remixmag.com/artists/remix_behind_curtain/
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