KVR Audio

Julian Shaw · Post by **Julian Shaw** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 6:11 am

Hey,

I ordered a Virus TI2 Desktop, it's coming in two days, and, as something of a beginner in sound synthesis, I'd like to know where I can start. The presets in Virus, from what I've heard on YouTube, sound a bit too dated and trance-y for my tastes, and I'd like to make my own unique sounds out of it, something along the lines of melodic IDM and modern EDM.

So, what are some tips for sound synthesis you can give me, or some books and tutorials I can read and watch? Thanks for reading, and for helping!

ere2learn · Post by **ere2learn** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 3:01 pm

nice purchase,

here's some sites

http://music.tutsplus.com/search?utf8=% ... rid&search **search for basics**

https://www.youtube.com/user/ADSRtuts

http://www.soundonsound.com/search?url= ... ummary=Yes

ClubHo · Post by **ClubHo** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 3:13 pm

Demo Syntorial and see how you like it.

http://www.syntorial.com

Aiynzahev · Post by **Aiynzahev** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 4:10 pm

What about that guide by Howard Scarr?

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 4:17 pm

Aiynzahev wrote:What about that guide by Howard Scarr?

I can only recommend that one, for any synth. Really good read.

twolegstoneworks · Post by **twolegstoneworks** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 4:23 pm

There's plenty of "how-to-sound-like" tutorials on the net.. e.g. the ADSR tutorials site.. you can apply many of the sounddesign trick directly to the Virus because it's so versatile. And btw. you'll find lots of non-trance sounds in the huge factory library. And there's a lot of really good stuff to be downloaded from Access website aswell... I doubt I've listened to all the sounds yet, and I've had it for 3 years now

thetechnobear · Post by **thetechnobear** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 4:38 pm

chk071 wrote:
Aiynzahev wrote:What about that guide by Howard Scarr?
I can only recommend that one, for any synth. Really good read.

+1

very practical (just be warned, the examples are for an earlier Virus model, but easy enough to adapt, also the examples can be downloaded)

Syntorial is very good too, great approach, but you will need to be willing to spend many hours working through it, its a great way to make you really hear the sounds, rather than just technically understand what all the knobs do.

Julian Shaw · Post by **Julian Shaw** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 10:56 pm

ere2learn wrote:nice purchase,

here's some sites

http://music.tutsplus.com/search?utf8=% ... rid&search **search for basics**

https://www.youtube.com/user/ADSRtuts

http://www.soundonsound.com/search?url= ... ummary=Yes

Thanks, I got it at a really good price in like new condition, and I think I'm ready to go from just tweaking presets to making my own sounds, now, I hope. I'll check out the tuts you linked!

ClubHo wrote:Demo Syntorial and see how you like it.

Hey that's pretty cool. I'm not quite sure if it'll go through things I already know, though, and I don't really need another VST, but good suggestion! Not exactly cheap, it being over $100, but I might get it after my wallet recovers.

Aiynzahev wrote:What about that guide by Howard Scarr?

I just looked it up, and it looks perfect.

Wait a second, you're Aiyn Zahev! I have SynthMaster, and I absolutely adore the preset packs you've made for it! Goodness, it's hard to explain the <3 I have for them.

twolegstoneworks wrote:There's plenty of "how-to-sound-like" tutorials on the net.. e.g. the ADSR tutorials site.. you can apply many of the sounddesign trick directly to the Virus because it's so versatile. And btw. you'll find lots of non-trance sounds in the huge factory library. And there's a lot of really good stuff to be downloaded from Access website aswell... I doubt I've listened to all the sounds yet, and I've had it for 3 years now

Yeah, I've looked around the net for tuts and such, and, yeah, it's ridiculous how many sounds are in it.

thetechnobear wrote:Syntorial is very good too, great approach, but you will need to be willing to spend many hours working through it, its a great way to make you really hear the sounds, rather than just technically understand what all the knobs do.

Hm, Syntorial sounds a bit more appealing, now... but Mr. Wallet is pleading me to "get my grubby hands off of him," so oh well.

Aiynzahev · Post by **Aiynzahev** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 4:39 am

Thats awesome! I am working on a new one of SM right now actually.

Oh you know what, I made some videos programming the TI a little while ago. They are a bit screwed up because I was still new to screen capture, but you might get some ideas from them.

I did 4 of them, you might want to skip through them until you find a spot you like then have a look at the settings If you're so inclined. Check this one at the 10 minute mark for example

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O02F8pczISk

Julian Shaw · Post by **Julian Shaw** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 7:08 pm

Aiynzahev wrote:Thats awesome! I am working on a new one of SM right now actually.

Oh you know what, I made some videos programming the TI a little while ago. They are a bit screwed up because I was still new to screen capture, but you might get some ideas from them.

I did 4 of them, you might want to skip through them until you find a spot you like then have a look at the settings If you're so inclined. Check this one at the 10 minute mark for example

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O02F8pczISk

That's even more awesome. I'm planning on using my copy of SynthMaster as something of a rompler, and it can definitely use more good preset packs! And seeing you do things on the Virus is really helpful, indeed. Thanks!

thetechnobear · Post by **thetechnobear** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 7:22 pm

he he, I know what you mean about mr wallet!
I'd also recommend reading through "synth secrets".

The thing ive realised though, is after the technical bits (adsr, filters etc), its about 'hearing' (hence the syntorial recommendation), But you can also do this 'freestyle' by simplying grabbing presets you like ( loads on a TI!!) and disecting them, then try to rebuild them, critically listening for differences.
As with most things, its not what you read/buy, its practice and time, theres no shortcut - great thing about the TI though, is its fun to 'practice'

Julian Shaw · Post by **Julian Shaw** » Tue Oct 07, 2014 6:00 am

thetechnobear wrote:he he, I know what you mean about mr wallet!
I'd also recommend reading through "synth secrets".

The thing ive realised though, is after the technical bits (adsr, filters etc), its about 'hearing' (hence the syntorial recommendation), But you can also do this 'freestyle' by simplying grabbing presets you like ( loads on a TI!!) and disecting them, then try to rebuild them, critically listening for differences.
As with most things, its not what you read/buy, its practice and time, theres no shortcut - great thing about the TI though, is its fun to 'practice'

Mkay, SOS is pretty wordy, though, IMO, but for the sake of sound science.

Yeah, I pretty much already know how to do those technical bits, but that's some good advice, to just practice and put time in. And yeah, I received the Virus a few days ago and I'm having a LOT of fun with it! omg

Getting a Virus. Getting started on sound design?