Dave Smith Instruments SYNTHESIZERS

Just wondering if there are any people here new to synthesis like I 
am. I've been reading some stuff online, like synth basics and all, 
and I just find it a tad bit confusing still. I know the manual  is 
sort of geared for use by the experienced, but I had no idea that the 
manual was going to be written this way, without any basics for us 
who are barely learning about true analog synthesis. Has anyone 
considered maybe writing a beginner's user manual specifically for 
the Evolver? I wouldn't need a whole introduction and background on 
all synthesizers out there, just the use of the Evolver from a 
beginner's point of view. Thank you all for your time, in advance.

dmn

Some recommended links for the beginner:

http://www.computermusic.co.uk/tutorial/a_sforbeg/a_sforbeg.asp
http://www.reasonstation.net/tutorials/subtractor/

Most of the techniques are going to apply.  The basic structure in a 
Subtractive synthesizer is the same, with various differences.


Basic EVO tute:
1) Start with a basic patch.  No modulations, LFO, delay, distortion, 
filter env=0, mod env=0.  Open up the filter all the way.  
2) Play with the just the oscillators and the Amp Env. for awhile.
3) Slowly add in one thing at a time, and listen to the change in 
sound.  Once you get a feel for what the control does, put it back to 
zero, and then try another thing
4) Refer back to the Evolver signal flow often.

> Has anyone 
> considered maybe writing a beginner's user manual specifically for 
> the Evolver? I wouldn't need a whole introduction and background on 
> all synthesizers out there, just the use of the Evolver from a 
> beginner's point of view.

The Evolver is not really a beginners synth.  I've had mine for two 
years and have just started to gain some control over it (but same 
goes for most of my soft-synths to an extent).  I hate to say it but 
most synthesis tutorials are way too academic (or broad) to be of 
any use to a newbie.  I study these things and understand them then 
sit down with a synth and get nowhere fast in terms of results. I 
think it's because synthesis is the practical application of many, 
many parameters in concert utilizing modultions, lfo's, envelopes 
and good sound designers know how these hundreds (or thousands of 
combinations really) of parameters work together to acieve results. 
Without a firm grasp of how ALL the parameters effect eachother, 
changing one parameter may not even make a difference in sound! This 
makes it so hit or miss for a newbie and so easy to get off track 
and frustrated.   
 
Specific tutorials for specific synths make all the difference for 
me.  Like when someone finally broke down here and offered a 
walkthrough on how to completely change an Evolver patch.  It's like 
having a friend or teacher sitting over your shoulder and saying 
this is how you do it!    
            




--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, "breakfaster11" 
<breakfaster11@m...> wrote:
> 
> Some recommended links for the beginner:
> 
> http://www.computermusic.co.uk/tutorial/a_sforbeg/a_sforbeg.asp
> http://www.reasonstation.net/tutorials/subtractor/
> 
> Most of the techniques are going to apply.  The basic structure in 
a 
> Subtractive synthesizer is the same, with various differences.
> 
> 
> Basic EVO tute:
> 1) Start with a basic patch.  No modulations, LFO, delay, 
distortion, 
> filter env=0, mod env=0.  Open up the filter all the way.  
> 2) Play with the just the oscillators and the Amp Env. for awhile.
> 3) Slowly add in one thing at a time, and listen to the change in 
> sound.  Once you get a feel for what the control does, put it back 
to 
> zero, and then try another thing
> 4) Refer back to the Evolver signal flow often.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > Has anyone 
> > considered maybe writing a beginner's user manual specifically 
for 
> > the Evolver? I wouldn't need a whole introduction and background 
on 
> > all synthesizers out there, just the use of the Evolver from a 
> > beginner's point of view.

> Specific tutorials for specific synths make all the difference for 
> me.  Like when someone finally broke down here and offered a 
> walkthrough on how to completely change an Evolver patch.  

Yes, I totally agree, specific tutorials for specific synths really 
help you understand and really get a feel for a synth. Because 
every synth is like a a tool. It can do certain things well. A tutorial 
by someone who is intimately familiar with that particular 
machine can really open your eyes to what it can do well and 
help you bypass a lot of the aimless fiddling that often happens 
when you're a beginner. I really think general articles on 
synthesis aren't too helpful unless you really are a true beginner 
without the slightest idea of how synthesis works. But there are 
lots of articles out there that can help with that.