Good free synths for kids
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 84 posts since 4 Mar, 2015 from Sydney Aus
I'm asking this for a friend who is a Science teacher. What synths would you recommend for learning the basics, the kids are aged 13 - 15
I suggested starting with Charlatan and to then move to Zebralette. Have just found out that he will be using Macs. Is there anything for Mac that is similar to Charlatan? Thanks
I suggested starting with Charlatan and to then move to Zebralette. Have just found out that he will be using Macs. Is there anything for Mac that is similar to Charlatan? Thanks
HPZ2 i9 32RAM, Macbook Pro M1, Studio One, FL, Ableton, Sibelius, BIAB
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- KVRAF
- 35262 posts since 11 Apr, 2010 from Germany
This should be a very good learning synth: http://tal-software.com/products/tal-noisemaker and even sounds good. I guess your friend knows already, but i'd make sure that those kids use a limiter, unless he wants to get blamed for loss of hearing or similar... i read here somewhere else that someone looked for a synth for his 5 year old son or so. Tbh, i wouldn't recommend a synthesizer to use at such an age. 13-15 year olds is another thing of course.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 84 posts since 4 Mar, 2015 from Sydney Aus
Thanks very much, that looks perfect. Thanks also for suggesting a limiter.
HPZ2 i9 32RAM, Macbook Pro M1, Studio One, FL, Ableton, Sibelius, BIAB
- KVRAF
- 25852 posts since 20 Jan, 2008 from a star near where you are
When you are that age you need a bit of flash, and TyrellN6 looks lovely, and sounds lovely too, wish I was 14 these days...beegee wrote:I'm asking this for a friend who is a Science teacher. What synths would you recommend for learning the basics, the kids are aged 13 - 15
https://www.u-he.com/cms/tyrelln6
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- KVRAF
- 3241 posts since 22 Aug, 2012
Basic...
http://www.audiodamage.com/instruments/ ... ?pid=AD033
*edit* Ah, free...this is not
The U-he options are certainly a good bet.
Another free one is Linplug FreeAlpha http://www.linplug.com/alpha.html
http://www.audiodamage.com/instruments/ ... ?pid=AD033
*edit* Ah, free...this is not
The U-he options are certainly a good bet.
Another free one is Linplug FreeAlpha http://www.linplug.com/alpha.html
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- KVRian
- 650 posts since 26 Sep, 2014 from Kingshill Valley
another three classics
http://www.linplug.com/alpha.html
-> go to "downloads" and select the "FreeAlpha" on the right
http://www.greenoak.com/crystal/about.html
http://www.tunefish-synth.com
EDIT: my bad, didn't notice FreeAlpha has already been posted...
http://www.linplug.com/alpha.html
-> go to "downloads" and select the "FreeAlpha" on the right
http://www.greenoak.com/crystal/about.html
http://www.tunefish-synth.com
EDIT: my bad, didn't notice FreeAlpha has already been posted...
- KVRer
- 23 posts since 11 Oct, 2011
TAL Elek7ro might be better choice than Noisemaker. More basic.
I don't think Zebralette is a good choice for the second synth, it's too complex.
I would say start with TAL Elek7ro and then move to something that combines substructive, FM and FX. Maybe Synth1.
I don't think Zebralette is a good choice for the second synth, it's too complex.
I would say start with TAL Elek7ro and then move to something that combines substructive, FM and FX. Maybe Synth1.
- KVRAF
- 9738 posts since 18 Aug, 2007 from NYC
Helm looks like it could be a great synthesizer to learn on, as well as one they can continue to use as their skills grow.
Free and multi-platform (WIN/Mac, AU/VST/AAX). Free is always good for an educational budget.
http://tytel.org/helm/
Free and multi-platform (WIN/Mac, AU/VST/AAX). Free is always good for an educational budget.
http://tytel.org/helm/
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fluffy_little_something fluffy_little_something https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=281847
- Banned
- 12880 posts since 5 Jun, 2012
You could use a browser-based synth like this:
http://www.g200kg.com/en/docs/webmodular/
This way it doesn't matter which computer plattform etc.
http://www.g200kg.com/en/docs/webmodular/
This way it doesn't matter which computer plattform etc.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 84 posts since 4 Mar, 2015 from Sydney Aus
Wow, thank you so much for all the great suggestions, I'll start checking them out and also send my friend a link to this thread. Schools are so lucky that generous developers offer free versions. Thanks once again.
HPZ2 i9 32RAM, Macbook Pro M1, Studio One, FL, Ableton, Sibelius, BIAB
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- KVRAF
- 3496 posts since 9 Oct, 2004 from Poland
Don't underestimate kids at that age.
I would say that they are ready for 99% of VSTi synthesizers, if they are passionate enough to spend some time with them.
Though you may want to start their adventure on something like any Minimoog emulation to get them hooked on something simple and good sounding.
Then on their 2nd step, Sonigen Modular may be a good choice.
[edit]Opps it is Windows only... well, it shows that if you want free software, Mac is not a good choice.
I would say that they are ready for 99% of VSTi synthesizers, if they are passionate enough to spend some time with them.
Though you may want to start their adventure on something like any Minimoog emulation to get them hooked on something simple and good sounding.
Then on their 2nd step, Sonigen Modular may be a good choice.
[edit]Opps it is Windows only... well, it shows that if you want free software, Mac is not a good choice.
[====[\\\\\\\\]>------,
Ay caramba !
Ay caramba !
- KVRAF
- 25852 posts since 20 Jan, 2008 from a star near where you are
Kids with a bit of patience, will also benefit from watching Synth School, which gives a good intro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atvtBE6t48M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atvtBE6t48M
- KVRAF
- 4764 posts since 25 Jan, 2014 from The End of The World as We Knowit
+1 for Crystal & Helm. Also Lokomotiv- very simple, and Podolski - less so. I think its important to give choices, so they can choose a sound they love and want to explore.
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