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If you want to understand (Subtractive) synthesis. The best way is to get copy of VCV rack and follow a few tutorials. If you patch one subtractive mono synth v

If you want to understand (Subtractive) synthesis. The best way is to get copy of VCV rack and follow a few tutorials. If you patch one subtractive mono synth voice once, you understand 80% of all subtractive synth architecture moving forward. https://vcvrack.com https://vcvrack.com (open source and wonderful) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V35OhojjqDs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V35OhojjqDs <- your first tutorial Happy patching :) There's a bunch of other really interesting types of synthesis and you can explore them using the above software - Frequency/phase modulation synthesis - Vector synthesis - physical modeling/Karplus strong - Additive synthesis - Eastcoast (subtractive) - Westcoast (waveshaping/LP gates)

H1Supreme 2y ago
Came here to post something similar, so I'll upvote your comment, and add my own. I started building a Eurorack modular synthesizer in 2009. Prior to that I would mostly tweak presets on other synths. I knew what the filter did, and could adjust an envelope, but didn't have a fundamental understanding of what was going on. When I started using the modular, I was forced to understand the signal flow. And, the patch cables provided a visual cue of what was happening. I learned more about synths in a year with my eurorack system than I did in the previous 10 with hardwired synths. After you learn those basic rules for patching a synth, then you get to break them. (-: Recommending something like VCV rack seems like starting with Calculus before you can solve 2+2, but it's really not. The signal flow is right there for you to observe.
harvodex 2y ago
I have never in 30 years of synths read subtractive synthesis called Eastcoast or waveshaping called Westcoast. Especially to put what it is actually called in parenthesis as if everyone calls subtractive synthesis "Eastcoast". This is certainly something very specific to the path you took with synths.
- weatherlight 2y ago
  I really hate to be that guy but… the terms “East Coast” and “West Coast” synthesis are pretty mainstream within the synth community, especially among those who follow the history and styles of modular synthesis. These distinctions were popularized as a way to categorize the approaches of pioneers like Bob Moog, I’m sure you’ve heard of him. (East Coast) and Don Buchla (West Coast). East Coast synthesis, often associated with subtractive synthesis, emphasizes traditional keyboard performance, harmonic richness, and filters to shape sound. Meanwhile, West Coast synthesis (credited to Buchla) leans more experimental, focusing on waveshaping, FM synthesis, and unconventional control interfaces. The terms themselves have been around for decades and have become shorthand to describe these philosophies of synthesis design and architecture of synths. You might not hear them as much outside modular or academic circles, but they’re far from obscure. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Buchla https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Buchla https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Moog https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Moog
bodge5000 2y ago
Personally I'm not sure I'd use VCV rack as an entry into subtractive synthesis, simply because there's so much to modular synthesis it could be hard to untangle one concept from another. That being said, I think it is a great intro to synthesis as a whole. For me, it was the microbrute which really taught me subtractive synthesis, simply because of how stripped back it was, I couldn't just add a new module to cover up my bad sound design. Though obviously that's far less accessible (£150 hardware synth versus free software you can load up right now), I'm sure there'd be a middle ground. I know iOS is really good for its synth ecosystem, maybe there's a nice subtractive synth there.
- Crunchified 2y ago
  I did exactly that as well. I wanted to figure out what a synthesizer does/is, so I bought a MicroBrute and had a great deal of fun with it. So much fun, in fact, that I bought a MatrixBrute not terribly long afterward. Now _that's_ a monosynth to last me a lifetime!
alfiedotwtf 2y ago
Tangential, if you want to learn sound from synthesis, check out Syntorial… you’ll be able to hear a sound and approximate it via subtractive synthesis!
naltroc 2y ago
unpopular hot take: subtractive synthesis isn't synthesis. It's a transformation.
- kristianbrigman 2y ago
  Somewhat true … maybe it’s really a hybrid, subtractive usually includes generating the initial sound to subtract from though (the oscillator) and even basic subtractive synths often have capability there (different waveforms, octaves, PWM, etc)
- timc3 2y ago
  Yes, but all synthesis types are transformation unless you are just replaying/outputting a waveform in one way or another without manipulation so that is really an all encompassing way of describing all synthesis methods. Subtractive synthesis has a particular meaning in common use whether it’s right or wrong.
- skyyler 2y ago
  Well, "transformer" is already a kind of device. Do you have a suggested name to replace "synthesiser"?
- weatherlight 2y ago
  Hold up, I'm going to send a email to every synth company that sells synths with filters and explain to them that they aren't selling synthesizers but transformers. I'm positive that it will be received well!
  - fredoliveira 2y ago
    I mean, there's a fair amount of hype about transformers right now.
  - racl101 2y ago
    They are certainly more than meets the eye.
- deleted 2y ago
  [deleted]
56j56n65u656 2y ago
Good lord what a horrible recommendation. This is like telling someone to learn programming by starting with assembly. If you want to actually learn subtractive synthesis minus the complexity use an all in one synth VST like Surge which is free and open source and you won't have to worry about tedious fundamentals that don't actually matter unless you're doing modular synthesis. Helm is another great VST. Once you understand subtractive you can graduate to more complicated methods of synthesis like FM, vector, ETC.
- xtagon 2y ago
  > This is like telling someone to learn programming by starting with assembly. Believe it or not, this is some people's preferred learning style. See also: Nand2Tetris, Linux From Scratch
- mtizim 2y ago
  I don't agree at all, vcv rack helped me understand synthesis in a much deeper way than I would have otherwise. What's a retrigger? Oscillator drift? Why do you modulate with a lfo? These are much simpler to understand when you're patching modules by hand in vcv, especially when you start with a blank slate. On the other hand, before vcv, seeing a vst synth just had me overwhelmed instead. I'd recommend everyone reading this to get free vcv + the surge vcv library, and just play around with it.
- AnthonBerg 2y ago
  One man’s horrible recommendation is another’s… emancipation? We’re all uniquely different!, I promise; After a number of other paradigms had failed to teach me programming, assembly was what finally did it. And with synthesis, it was FM first and then subtractive. The picture is more concise when looking at it from the perspective of frequency modulation because all oscillators can do everything, you know? –That’s the sense it made to me, privately and personally.
  - javier123454321 2y ago
    Don't have a dog in this fight as I don't know much about synthesis, but I always remember the old saying. The best book to learn about "hard subject" is the third book you read on it. How many people will comment on a youtube video, course, strategy or book, and say something like - It's the best explanation. I tried all these different things and only this worked. The common denominator is previous failed attempts at the subject.
alexjplant 2y ago
I bought a Moog Mother-32 and read the manual - I remember it being very thick (for modern music gear) and informative. I didn't do too much patching but by the time I was done I understood the basics of subtractive synthesis. A few years earlier I also had a DX9 that I foolishly used to try and emulate analog sounds. Somehow I stumbled across an article on Fourier series and how infinite sinusoidal summations could be used to create the other types of fundamental waves. Programming a 4-op DX synth to emulate these and looking at waveforms in Audacity gave me a natural intuition for how time series waves relate to frequency and harmonic content. If I had to do it all again I might get a Korg Minilogue since it can display waveforms on its LCD and is digitally-controlled.
- alfiedotwtf 2y ago
  Yes! The Minilogue was where it clicked for me - solely because is its oscilloscope

H1Supreme 2y ago

Came here to post something similar, so I'll upvote your comment, and add my own. I started building a Eurorack modular synthesizer in 2009. Prior to that I would mostly tweak presets on other synths. I knew what the filter did, and could adjust an envelope, but didn't have a fundamental understanding of what was going on. When I started using the modular, I was forced to understand the signal flow. And, the patch cables provided a visual cue of what was happening. I learned more about synths in a year with my eurorack system than I did in the previous 10 with hardwired synths. After you learn those basic rules for patching a synth, then you get to break them. (-: Recommending something like VCV rack seems like starting with Calculus before you can solve 2+2, but it's really not. The signal flow is right there for you to observe.

harvodex 2y ago

I have never in 30 years of synths read subtractive synthesis called Eastcoast or waveshaping called Westcoast. Especially to put what it is actually called in parenthesis as if everyone calls subtractive synthesis "Eastcoast". This is certainly something very specific to the path you took with synths.

weatherlight 2y ago
I really hate to be that guy but… the terms “East Coast” and “West Coast” synthesis are pretty mainstream within the synth community, especially among those who follow the history and styles of modular synthesis. These distinctions were popularized as a way to categorize the approaches of pioneers like Bob Moog, I’m sure you’ve heard of him. (East Coast) and Don Buchla (West Coast). East Coast synthesis, often associated with subtractive synthesis, emphasizes traditional keyboard performance, harmonic richness, and filters to shape sound. Meanwhile, West Coast synthesis (credited to Buchla) leans more experimental, focusing on waveshaping, FM synthesis, and unconventional control interfaces. The terms themselves have been around for decades and have become shorthand to describe these philosophies of synthesis design and architecture of synths. You might not hear them as much outside modular or academic circles, but they’re far from obscure. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Buchla https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Buchla https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Moog https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Moog

bodge5000 2y ago

Personally I'm not sure I'd use VCV rack as an entry into subtractive synthesis, simply because there's so much to modular synthesis it could be hard to untangle one concept from another. That being said, I think it is a great intro to synthesis as a whole. For me, it was the microbrute which really taught me subtractive synthesis, simply because of how stripped back it was, I couldn't just add a new module to cover up my bad sound design. Though obviously that's far less accessible (£150 hardware synth versus free software you can load up right now), I'm sure there'd be a middle ground. I know iOS is really good for its synth ecosystem, maybe there's a nice subtractive synth there.

Crunchified 2y ago
I did exactly that as well. I wanted to figure out what a synthesizer does/is, so I bought a MicroBrute and had a great deal of fun with it. So much fun, in fact, that I bought a MatrixBrute not terribly long afterward. Now _that's_ a monosynth to last me a lifetime!

alfiedotwtf 2y ago

Tangential, if you want to learn sound from synthesis, check out Syntorial… you’ll be able to hear a sound and approximate it via subtractive synthesis!

naltroc 2y ago

unpopular hot take: subtractive synthesis isn't synthesis. It's a transformation.

kristianbrigman 2y ago
Somewhat true … maybe it’s really a hybrid, subtractive usually includes generating the initial sound to subtract from though (the oscillator) and even basic subtractive synths often have capability there (different waveforms, octaves, PWM, etc)
timc3 2y ago
Yes, but all synthesis types are transformation unless you are just replaying/outputting a waveform in one way or another without manipulation so that is really an all encompassing way of describing all synthesis methods. Subtractive synthesis has a particular meaning in common use whether it’s right or wrong.
skyyler 2y ago
Well, "transformer" is already a kind of device. Do you have a suggested name to replace "synthesiser"?
weatherlight 2y ago
Hold up, I'm going to send a email to every synth company that sells synths with filters and explain to them that they aren't selling synthesizers but transformers. I'm positive that it will be received well!
- fredoliveira 2y ago
  I mean, there's a fair amount of hype about transformers right now.
- racl101 2y ago
  They are certainly more than meets the eye.
deleted 2y ago
[deleted]

56j56n65u656 2y ago

Good lord what a horrible recommendation. This is like telling someone to learn programming by starting with assembly. If you want to actually learn subtractive synthesis minus the complexity use an all in one synth VST like Surge which is free and open source and you won't have to worry about tedious fundamentals that don't actually matter unless you're doing modular synthesis. Helm is another great VST. Once you understand subtractive you can graduate to more complicated methods of synthesis like FM, vector, ETC.

xtagon 2y ago
> This is like telling someone to learn programming by starting with assembly. Believe it or not, this is some people's preferred learning style. See also: Nand2Tetris, Linux From Scratch
mtizim 2y ago
I don't agree at all, vcv rack helped me understand synthesis in a much deeper way than I would have otherwise. What's a retrigger? Oscillator drift? Why do you modulate with a lfo? These are much simpler to understand when you're patching modules by hand in vcv, especially when you start with a blank slate. On the other hand, before vcv, seeing a vst synth just had me overwhelmed instead. I'd recommend everyone reading this to get free vcv + the surge vcv library, and just play around with it.
AnthonBerg 2y ago
One man’s horrible recommendation is another’s… emancipation? We’re all uniquely different!, I promise; After a number of other paradigms had failed to teach me programming, assembly was what finally did it. And with synthesis, it was FM first and then subtractive. The picture is more concise when looking at it from the perspective of frequency modulation because all oscillators can do everything, you know? –That’s the sense it made to me, privately and personally.
- javier123454321 2y ago
  Don't have a dog in this fight as I don't know much about synthesis, but I always remember the old saying. The best book to learn about "hard subject" is the third book you read on it. How many people will comment on a youtube video, course, strategy or book, and say something like - It's the best explanation. I tried all these different things and only this worked. The common denominator is previous failed attempts at the subject.

alexjplant 2y ago

I bought a Moog Mother-32 and read the manual - I remember it being very thick (for modern music gear) and informative. I didn't do too much patching but by the time I was done I understood the basics of subtractive synthesis. A few years earlier I also had a DX9 that I foolishly used to try and emulate analog sounds. Somehow I stumbled across an article on Fourier series and how infinite sinusoidal summations could be used to create the other types of fundamental waves. Programming a 4-op DX synth to emulate these and looking at waveforms in Audacity gave me a natural intuition for how time series waves relate to frequency and harmonic content. If I had to do it all again I might get a Korg Minilogue since it can display waveforms on its LCD and is digitally-controlled.

alfiedotwtf 2y ago
Yes! The Minilogue was where it clicked for me - solely because is its oscilloscope