Synthesizer Thread

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Sep 12, 2013
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Wasn't sure if this should go in Art or Electronics. 🤔

So.... I bought a KORG Monologue Synthesizer. I'm kind of randomly getting into this as a hobby lol so it will be interesting to see if this goes anywhere. I'm making decent money trucking I guess, but I have long work hours. During this, I play lot's of YouTube Audio or Pandora, especially lots of Synth based music. Then I decided to splurge on a Synth and actually try messing with this.

It's been interesting because I tried this once before just over 10 years ago, but with a local store bought Casio. The difference in sound has been huge and I enjoy messing with this a whole lot more. I've also benefited from visual sort of 'Guitar Hero'-like video sheet music on YouTube now that can get someone playing and having fun more more quickly than trying to read traditional sheet music. I've managed to play the melody part of some theme songs like Halloween and Terminator while modding settings for different effects.

I also read this instrument design included input from Aphex Twin and includes some presets made by him.

So far, I'm happy with it. It is monophonic meaning it only plays one note so no chords, but I'm fine with that. The small size is great for me for hauling around with on the road to. I recently ordered some mini Korg Volca synths to go with it for beats and harmony. I really like that this gives me something creative to mess with and I get instant feedback on anything I put into it.

Anyway, I wondered if anyone else on the forum messes around with stuff like this or is at a more advanced stage of knowledge and skill with it.


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monologue_blue_top.jpg





Example of the YouTube Music Cheat Sheet videos I'm using to get started.

 
I also ordered these:

The Korg Volca Kick will provide custom sequenced beats.

The Korg Volca NuBass is a mini Bass centric keypad sequencer but it can do high notes to. It's an Analog circuit synth running on a new mini-vacuum tube technology. I also ordered a 3 channel mixer to send everything into a Sterling Monitor speaker.

I like that everything I'm getting is small form factor so I can haul it around with me.

# Never to late to learn something new


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Last edited:
Wasn't sure if this should go in Art or Electronics. 🤔

So.... I bought a KORG Monologue Synthesizer. I'm kind of randomly getting into this as a hobby lol so it will be interesting to see if this goes anywhere. I'm making decent money trucking I guess, but I have long work hours. During this, I play lot's of YouTube Audio or Pandora, especially lots of Synth based music. Then I decided to splurge on a Synth and actually try messing with this.

It's been interesting because I tried this once before just over 10 years ago, but with a local store bought Casio. The difference in sound has been huge and I enjoy messing with this a whole lot more. I've also benefited from visual sort of 'Guitar Hero'-like video sheet music on YouTube now that can get someone playing and having fun more more quickly than trying to read traditional sheet music. I've managed to play the melody part of some theme songs like Halloween and Terminator while modding settings for different effects.

I also read this instrument design included input from Aphex Twin and includes some presets made by him.

So far, I'm happy with it. It is monophonic meaning it only plays one note so no chords, but I'm fine with that. The small size is great for me for hauling around with on the road to. I recently ordered some mini Korg Volca synths to go with it for beats and harmony. I really like that this gives me something creative to mess with and I get instant feedback on anything I put into it.

Anyway, I wondered if anyone else on the forum messes around with stuff like this or is at a more advanced stage of knowledge and skill with it.


maxresdefault.jpg



monologue_blue_top.jpg





Example of the YouTube Music Cheat Sheet videos I'm using to get started.


Thats a fantastic synth, dude. Its one of the classics. I had one and I sold it and I've regretted that ever since. Get yourself a decent sequencer software program, something that supports midi, and you will have a lot of fun with that thing. If youre a mac user then get Logic Pro. its a professional recording studio all build into one. I've been using it for about 4 years now and it kicks ass. Its about 200 bucks and you can get it on the app store. If you're not a mac user then I would recommend two thingds- 1) get a mac and then get logic pro :p or 2) get Cubase. :sad: It has all the same features as Logic but its a windows piece of s*** and more expensive as well. I have this as well and I honestly think that Logic is better in every conceivable way, but especially in ease of use.
The Aphex Twin presets are excellent so thats a great starting place . That guy knows how make a synth sing!
 
Thats a fantastic synth, dude. Its one of the classics. I had one and I sold it and I've regretted that ever since. Get yourself a decent sequencer software program, something that supports midi, and you will have a lot of fun with that thing. If youre a mac user then get Logic Pro. its a professional recording studio all build into one. I've been using it for about 4 years now and it kicks ass. Its about 200 bucks and you can get it on the app store. If you're not a mac user then I would recommend two thingds- 1) get a mac and then get logic pro :p or 2) get Cubase. :sad: It has all the same features as Logic but its a windows piece of s*** and more expensive as well. I have this as well and I honestly think that Logic is better in every conceivable way, but especially in ease of use.
The Aphex Twin presets are excellent so thats a great starting place . That guy knows how make a synth sing!

It has a built in sequencer that I've messed with a little bit, though I suppose it can hook up to a computer as well. I've wondered if I could ever see the specific settings of the Presets to learn how they were made. It can record one step or note at a time. It can also do Motion Sequence recording the actual knob turns. It has not Arpeggiator, but the Key Target button can tie sequences to key presses which is nearly the same thing but customized.

Since it's Monophonic I feel like I can either try to do Melody or Harmony, but not both. Yesterday, I was playing the Bass side of John Carpenter Halloween to a YouTube track that was fun because it plays well Monophonicly.

I ordered the above equipment to have a sequenced Bass or Treble side on either the Monologue or the Nubass and a supporting beat from the Kick. Unfortunately, the local Amazon Fulfillment failed to push out my package on Saturday so I have to wait a little longer to get it.

This whole idea started as I passing the time truck driving listening to electronic bands like Perturbator. I'd take my breaks and get on my gaming laptop, but started to think of starting a more fulfilling hobby. I mean I love playing Mortal Kombat, but this is something I can get into that is creative.
 
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Just unboxed new Korg Volca NuBass Synth and checking out the sound while tweaking the Filter. These are smaller with a weird keypad, but can take key presses for the Sequencer so they don't need to be played live. Or they allow hookups for Midi Keyboards. So far, I'm happy with the sound.


 
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It has a built in sequencer that I've messed with a little bit, though I suppose it can hook up to a computer as well. I've wondered if I could ever see the specific settings of the Presets to learn how they were made. It can record one step or note at a time. It can also do Motion Sequence recording the actual knob turns. It has not Arpeggiator, but the Key Target button can tie sequences to key presses which is nearly the same thing but customized.

Since it's Monophonic I feel like I can either try to do Melody or Harmony, but not both. Yesterday, I was playing the Bass side of John Carpenter Halloween to a YouTube track that was fun because it plays well Monophonicly.

I ordered the above equipment to have a sequenced Bass or Treble side on either the Monologue or the Nubass and a supporting beat from the Kick. Unfortunately, the local Amazon Fulfillment failed to push out my package on Saturday so I have to wait a little longer to get it.

This whole idea started as I passing the time truck driving listening to electronic bands like Perturbator. I'd take my breaks and get on my gaming laptop, but started to think of starting a more fulfilling hobby. I mean I love playing Mortal Kombat, but this is something I can get into that is creative.

I saw Perturbator live a few months ago. It was a fantastic gig. That dude is half man, half synth.

I’m using mostly software these days myself. I don’t have the space for synths any more. You can get really great VSTs but nothing will ever sound as good as hardware.
 
Thats a fantastic synth, dude. Its one of the classics. I had one and I sold it and I've regretted that ever since. Get yourself a decent sequencer software program, something that supports midi, and you will have a lot of fun with that thing. If youre a mac user then get Logic Pro. its a professional recording studio all build into one. I've been using it for about 4 years now and it kicks ass. Its about 200 bucks and you can get it on the app store. If you're not a mac user then I would recommend two thingds- 1) get a mac and then get logic pro :p or 2) get Cubase. :sad: It has all the same features as Logic but its a windows piece of s*** and more expensive as well. I have this as well and I honestly think that Logic is better in every conceivable way, but especially in ease of use.
The Aphex Twin presets are excellent so thats a great starting place . That guy knows how make a synth sing!

I bought the KORG Minilogue XD to go with it a few weeks ago. It is similar but different from the Monologue. The Monologue is much more basic but quickly sets up for a powerful sound. This Minilogue has 2 Analogue Oscillators, but with those alone I just thought it was a decent sounding keyboard.

I started messing with the 2 new features and it started to have a much richer, deeper sound. It has a new weird Digital 'Multi-Engine' Oscilator control that generates a bigger variety of specific waves. It also has a built in FX function for all kinds of things like Reverb or Delay.

I'm really glad I'm getting this figured out. The goal is to evenually play one of these keyboards while the other plays on Sequencer and eventually get something for beats.




dims
 
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It's weird, I'm even that much of an accomplished keyboard player, but these tools offer a great depth of custom sound design. Just to be able to create and combine powerful synth sounds is oddly satisfying. Or bang out craziness like Celldweller or Pertubator.

Or especially playing with the LFO affecting the Filter cutoff and hearing there Resonance shift.

This is expensive, but I have worked my ass off this year. I have this Minilogue XD with me in the truck and when I get time I can mess with it and learn new things it can do.

Next, I may look into something for Beats.
 
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My pursuit of this interest has been slowed down by a mix of my new job schedule and I'm in a social distancing situation with no room to really setup gear. I want to get a better place after the economy stabilizes.

I'm still fascinated by Synth in general and learning things about it.

This Kid Shurke video clip is a bit much but fun lol.

 
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I was actually about to make a thread about music production but then saw this. I'm working on putting together a home studio for my acoustic/electric guitars and drum pad. One piece I'm missing is some synth sounds. Now, I have a midi keyboard and ableton live, how do you think something like that compares to having an actual synthesizer?
 
Well, after looking into synths, I ended up ordering the Korg Minilogue XD. I'm really excited to add this to the production pile!
 
Well, after looking into synths, I ended up ordering the Korg Minilogue XD. I'm really excited to add this to the production pile!

I don't really have a good place to setup in my social distancing situation. The virus s*** all over plans I had in progress.

I've messed the Korg Minilogue XD though and thought it was initially weird trying to get 'heavy' sounds out of it. I think what is needed is to play with the new 3rd Digital 'Multi-Engine' Oscillator that really allows you to Mod the sounds it makes plus the Effects tool.

This stuff is complex but fun, I just need to better adjust my work situation and continue apartment shopping for a place I can setup again. I don't have a strong music background actually, so I'd like to follow some basic videos on keyboard music theory to just better understand the relationship between keys / notes.
 
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I don't really have a good place to setup in my social distancing situation. The virus s*** all over plans I had in progress.

I've messed the Korg Minilogue XD though and thought it was initially weird trying to get 'heavy' sounds out of it. I think what is needed is to play with the new 3rd Digital 'Multi-Engine' Oscillator that really allows you to Mod the sounds it makes plus the Effects tool.

This stuff is complex but fun, I just need to better adjust my work situation and continue apartment shopping for a place I can setup again. I don't have a strong music background actually, so I'd like to follow some basic videos on keyboard music theory to just better understand the relationship between keys / notes.

I have a good background in playing in a band with guitar and writing a lot of acoustic material. But this digital stuff is pretty new to me and quite intimidating. I also have this:

All goes in through an interface and into Ableton. Going to be fun experimenting with all this once it's setup. I have a desk coming in the mail but already have my condenser mics hooked up in stereo for my acoustic. And my electric guiar...I'm not 100% sure on. Might use my amp and peddle and record it through mic, or test out something called amplitube to get a lot of different sounds.