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I've been playing synths and piano for a while, but I've been struggling to get some solid intuitions about what is going on when I tweak the synths. One thing

I've been playing synths and piano for a while, but I've been struggling to get some solid intuitions about what is going on when I tweak the synths. One thing that really helped on this site, is the «dot» that is bouncing back and forth on https://learningsynths.ableton.com/en/playground https://learningsynths.ableton.com/en/playground . Try tweaking the nobs and see how the dots movement changes. It helped me visualize something that I wasn't able to grasp before. Nice link!

poulpy123 2y ago
I can't say for sure but there is surely a VST that allows to visualise the signal and understand what changes do what
diggan 2y ago
The best way I found to understand a bit more about how synths work, was to give VCVRack a try. Basically "build your own synth" in a box, AKA " Modular synthesizer", which lets you build what a mainstream synth comes with, from scratch.
- actsasbuffoon 2y ago
  It’s also pretty easy to create your own VCV Rack modules, assuming you don’t mind doing a little math.
- colkassad 2y ago
  There is also Cardinal, a GPL fork that you can run as a plugin directly in your DAW of choice (I believe you need the paid VCV Rack to do that): https://github.com/DISTRHO/Cardinal https://github.com/DISTRHO/Cardinal
- jnovek 2y ago
  I tend to thing that non-modular is a better place to start. Modular is great, I've wasted untold shameful consumerist dollars on Eurorack, but I think it's better to get the core concepts from a well-known fixed-architecture synth (like a Minimoog clone/VST) before moving on to modular. Modular can be very overwhelming when you're new.
  - jghn 2y ago
    To this point, are there any free/cheap apps/browser apps that clone simple/older/well known synths you'd (or others here) would recommend for skilling up a bit? Doesn't need to be anywhere near pro quality sound-wise, not what I'm after. A million years ago I had some analogue korg model and have been interested in playing around again. But I know myself well enough to know that my interest may very well be fleeting and I don't want to invest much in the way of $$ to go that route.
    - jnovek 2y ago
      I’m a fan of Helm but it’s got some complexity under the hood. If you’re an iOS user there are a ton of good soft synths on iOS that are criminally cheap. E.g. Moog has a version of the Mini that’s like $15.
    - nprateem 2y ago
      Sylenth has a free trial. Garageband probably has an analogue synth in it. There's also v station: https://stgdownloads.novationmusic.com/novation/novation-software/v-station https://stgdownloads.novationmusic.com/novation/novation-sof...
  - diggan 2y ago
    I guess semi-modular is a good half-way :) Personally, I'm not into modular synths, so I don't recommend them as "Stop buying synths and start doing modular synths" but more like "If you're already into synths, but want to learn more about how they actually synthesize the sound, give VCVRack a try", merely as a learning tool.
    - jnovek 2y ago
      That’s fair, I misunderstood GP’s post thinking you were making that recommendation to total noobs. Modular definitely has enough rope to hang yourself. If someone is going to buy a hardware synth to learn on, I think a well laid-out semi-modular that has a good default signal path is a good way to go. Just ignore those funny 3.5” jacks until you’re ready.
beAbU 2y ago
Some VSTs animate the modulated controls, which is awesome because it immediately makes clear how one thing impacts another. I believe Serum does this?

poulpy123 2y ago

I can't say for sure but there is surely a VST that allows to visualise the signal and understand what changes do what

diggan 2y ago

The best way I found to understand a bit more about how synths work, was to give VCVRack a try. Basically "build your own synth" in a box, AKA " Modular synthesizer", which lets you build what a mainstream synth comes with, from scratch.

actsasbuffoon 2y ago
It’s also pretty easy to create your own VCV Rack modules, assuming you don’t mind doing a little math.
colkassad 2y ago
There is also Cardinal, a GPL fork that you can run as a plugin directly in your DAW of choice (I believe you need the paid VCV Rack to do that): https://github.com/DISTRHO/Cardinal https://github.com/DISTRHO/Cardinal
jnovek 2y ago
I tend to thing that non-modular is a better place to start. Modular is great, I've wasted untold shameful consumerist dollars on Eurorack, but I think it's better to get the core concepts from a well-known fixed-architecture synth (like a Minimoog clone/VST) before moving on to modular. Modular can be very overwhelming when you're new.
- jghn 2y ago
  To this point, are there any free/cheap apps/browser apps that clone simple/older/well known synths you'd (or others here) would recommend for skilling up a bit? Doesn't need to be anywhere near pro quality sound-wise, not what I'm after. A million years ago I had some analogue korg model and have been interested in playing around again. But I know myself well enough to know that my interest may very well be fleeting and I don't want to invest much in the way of $$ to go that route.
  - jnovek 2y ago
    I’m a fan of Helm but it’s got some complexity under the hood. If you’re an iOS user there are a ton of good soft synths on iOS that are criminally cheap. E.g. Moog has a version of the Mini that’s like $15.
  - nprateem 2y ago
    Sylenth has a free trial. Garageband probably has an analogue synth in it. There's also v station: https://stgdownloads.novationmusic.com/novation/novation-software/v-station https://stgdownloads.novationmusic.com/novation/novation-sof...
- diggan 2y ago
  I guess semi-modular is a good half-way :) Personally, I'm not into modular synths, so I don't recommend them as "Stop buying synths and start doing modular synths" but more like "If you're already into synths, but want to learn more about how they actually synthesize the sound, give VCVRack a try", merely as a learning tool.
  - jnovek 2y ago
    That’s fair, I misunderstood GP’s post thinking you were making that recommendation to total noobs. Modular definitely has enough rope to hang yourself. If someone is going to buy a hardware synth to learn on, I think a well laid-out semi-modular that has a good default signal path is a good way to go. Just ignore those funny 3.5” jacks until you’re ready.

beAbU 2y ago

Some VSTs animate the modulated controls, which is awesome because it immediately makes clear how one thing impacts another. I believe Serum does this?