[Best software synths for improving at analog subtractive synthesis?]

Eric, as it so happens, I do have Massive (as part of a Komplete 13 crossgrade) and I'm checking it out now. I do like its interface. What exactly was the original one? Was it released in the mid-2000s? How was the original better, out of curiosity.

Ben

On 12/23/2022 at 3:47 PM, EricBarker said:

In my opinion, no soft synth UI has come close to touching the original NI Massive. Not commenting on its sound, features, or preset quality, I know there's now a lot better. However, for shear intuitive workflow, nothing beats it, IMO. I feel like it's the first soft synth to completely do away with trying to replicate hardware, and develop a very intuitive computer-centric workflow. The beauty is you're doing exactly the same things as hardware, the same routing, but it's designed to be fast and easy to use with a screen and mouse. Being a fairly early wavetable soft synth, long before Serum, Zebra, Pigments, or the rest (which all take some heavy influence from Massive), it's quite basic and not overwhelming. I still open it if I want to make a patch in a hurry. Pigments is becoming my goto these days, but it's got thousands of features and is sometimes very slow and deep to troubleshoot.

For someone just starting out, if you can get your hands on NI Massive, I highly recommend it.

 

[OT - What's your full-time job?]

Writer and managing editor in the news office of a federal science agency. 

[Best software synths for improving at analog subtractive synthesis?]

Thanks to everyone for these great recommendations and insights. I'll check them out as much as I can.

 

Yeah, I've spent some time with the Arturia Moog Modular V. It gave me a glimpse of the mind-blowing capabilities of modular synthesis. I even made a few good sounds with it, but honestly, I didn't completely know what I was doing, so it's better for me to learn and master a simpler architecture first.

 

Ben

[Best software synths for improving at analog subtractive synthesis?]

As an amateur musician who has recently become more active again, I'm realizing firsthand how useful it still is in 2022 to be proficient in synth programming, including analog subtractive synthesis. When I need a particular sound for a song on my Kronos that I'm playing with a band, the knowledge of the fundamentals helps immensely. I'm getting better at programming on the Kronos, but, if this makes sense, it's clearly not the best platform for getting better at synth programming.

 

I've completed about two-thirds of the excellent Syntorial app. As some of you may know, Syntorial teaches the principles of analog synthesis and includes plenty of exercises in which you have to match a sound by adjusting the various parameters on an analog synth. It includes a really good basic synth, called Primer, that you can play around with independently of the lessons.

 

I'm wondering if there is a soft synth with an even better interface, enabling you to, for example, easily adjust envelopes and other modulation tools and see/hear the results without having to do much diving into submenus or switching between multiple windows. Primer includes all the action on one screen, which is really great. But it doesn't, for example, graphically show envelope shapes so I can more intuitively get a sense of how to modify them to produce the desired sound. To be fair, Primer is a teaching tool, and maybe these sorts of bells and whistles are not useful, but I thought I'd ask.

 

Thanks!

Ben

[Tips on safely carrying 88-key Kronos in my existing case without wheels?]

Thank you so much for these great replies. This is so helpful!

17 hours ago, timwat said:

I have gigged an original Kronos 73 since release back in 2012; mine is, I believe, shorter but heavier than your Kronos LS.

 

For a bit now, I've been using the Gator PG76, which is a rigid gig bag type unit without wheels...but with hideaway backpack straps...Now, depending upon your stature, using backpack straps with an 88 key might be interesting (the backs of your calves may be in harm's way).

Tim, trying the backpack straps is an interesting idea -- my case has them, too! Thanks for your tip about using a cart, too.

16 hours ago, Moonglow said:

I have a Kronos 88 (i.e., non-LS) and use a Gator GTSA-KEY88 TSA case. Total weight is approximately 85 pounds. It helps that I used to be a gym-rat for many years, which developed core strength, and also where I learned to use strict, proper form and breathing techniques when lifting heavy weights, which apply when schlepping gear. I sometimes even wear a weightlifting belt to help support my lower back when loading gear. 

 

A dolly can help a lot, but take it slow (especially when dealing with stairs), not only to avoid injury but also to avoid damage to your keyboard; lots of stories from Kronos owners of RAM needing be re-seated from the keyboard being bounced around. Also no shame is asking others for assistance, I do it all the time.

Great advice, Moonglow. This could be an incentive for me to do more upper body strength training. Thank you for your suggestions about the dolly, and for asking others for assistance. The other band members are all wonderful and regularly offer help, which I do accept. Even simply opening a door is helpful.

15 hours ago, allan_evett said:

An additional caution for using the Kronos 88 on small-medium sized stages (especially in bars): Beware of errant, wandering guitarists and flailing lead singers. In Denver I had several stage-prowlers nearly knock my Kronos 88 off it's perch. In later years I had a few similar near misses with a Montage 88.  Unless there is very ample stage real estate, I tend to leave the larger gear at home now. Too many bandmates lacking basic situational awareness .

Allan, I haven't had the falling Kronos happen yet but will keep it in mind. In my pre-Kronos era, I worked with a singer who was very fun and boisterous, moving everywhere, including to the tops of tables. The Kronos could be equally damaging to people if it fell. 

6 hours ago, re Pete said:

I always believed the more you move it the easier it gets with conditioning. I use a shoulder strap from a soft case I have when using stairs or other non rolling spots which helps my hand. 

      

Pete, that is good to hear that it can get easier. An extra strap, or using an extra hand, always seems to help.

5 hours ago, Joe P said:

Ben, for the stairs, I find it helpful to grip the handle differently for going up and down.  For going down, grip it to the rear of the handle and the keyboard will pitch downward, nearly parallel to the stairs.  For going up, do the reverse.  You won't have to raise it as high to prevent it from contacting the stairs.  Maybe it will help! 🙂

Joe, that is such a cool idea. I will try that out! I wonder if part of the challenge is that it is a soft case, with more "give" than a hard case with a rigid handle.

[Tips on safely carrying 88-key Kronos in my existing case without wheels?]

Hi, I recently got a Kronos LS88, which I've been taking back and forth from practice for the last couple of months, using the (excellent quality) Gator G-PG-88SLIMXL soft case with carry handle (no wheels). I put a small amount of equipment in it (pedals, power cords). The total weight of the keyboard/accessories/bag is 55 lbs/ 25 kgs.

 

I'm in good physical shape (as a long-distance runner), but I'm finding it really difficult and awkward to carry. I haven't gotten injured yet but I feel it's a matter of time. Every week I pack my keyboard in the case, take it down a flight of stairs, load it into my car, drive to my rehearsal space, and take it down to the basement rehearsal space.

 

I am feeling like I must be missing a wise pro tip or two on how to make such a setup easier to carry. I feel this way because there are heavier versions of the Kronos and I'm sure other keyboardists have more challenging journeys to their gigs and studios. But even for those who use a case that has wheels, I have to imagine there are situations in which the case would still need to be lifted, such as loading it into or out of a car.. When possible, I try to pick up the keyboard at its center of mass, and use two hands, but I move through some spaces in which it only seems possible to do the one-hand carry.

 

I appreciate any tips for how to transport this setup safely.

 

Thanks so much!

Ben

 

[Let's hear it!!! Post your music here!]

Dick,

I enjoyed the two pieces. You choose sounds that don't get lost in the mix which is great (I love being able to hear keyboards especially in metal songs). Also the parts themselves add to the song and do something different from the guitar/bass which is also admirable. Keep up the good work; my thought is that you might want to explore creating some very distinct sounds for your band's pieces.

Ben

[Let's hear it!!! Post your music here!]

OK, I've never done this before, but you can find my group's MP3s here...

http://www.garageband.com/artist/TheTwo

 

If you want to listen to just one, I recommend "Man of Letters."

 

We did them all with just an Alesis QS6 + Alesis SR16 drum machine + vox.

 

Comments welcome!

 

Ben