The next step came with the introduction of the Roland D50 synth, as featured exclusively on "Man in the Mirror" by Micheal Jackson/Quincey Jones, and it blew the rest away subjectively. Models to look for are listed via the Budget Synth Button.4 Operator stuff like the DX100 mini-keyboard.the FB01 module.and the best of the lot, the TX81Z (8 part multi-timbrel !!).Then of course you have the 6 Operator DX7, TX802 rack etc.But the 6 Operator stuff doesnt sound so cheezey. These FM synths are the foundation of House, Garage, original Chicago Techno and alot of other styles.Your sound arsenal will not be complete without one.They do all the cheezey little organ sounds.harp type patches.tuned percussive stuff.solid & hollow basses etc etc.
Then along came Yamaha, and blew the world away.FM or Frequency Modulation Synthesis, introduced the Algorithm.The best way to describe it, is as a series of building blocks.the contents of which can change and interact with each other.The raw sound waves for FM are digital waves.these are then tweaked and modulated.The Yamaha DX7 changed the music business almost overnight.Suddenly, keyboard players could get passable real piano, strings and other instrument impressions at the flick of a switch.FM synthesis was the first step outside of sampling to reproduce real instruments and other cool sounds to an acceptable standard.FM synths from Yamaha come with 4 or 6 Operators.The operators each contain a DCO, envelope, filter etc. Most later DCO synths included Ring Modulation, which allowed them to start making Glassy pads and transparent FX pads. they are cheaper to buy nowadays that true Analog gear, and can be real cool to use.Later models like the Ensonique stuff were very popular with people like Adamski. They are sometimes classed as Analog synths (especially by those wanting to sell them !!).Yet they sound different.cleaner, and less upfront & harsh.The Roland JX3P or the MKS module range were classic examples, as were Korgs DW stuff. If you don't want to spend a bucketful of money on old vintage kit, you can try Novation's Basstation range, ControlSynthesis' Deep Bass 9, Syntechno, Access virus, etc etc etc.ĭCO's or Digital Control Oscillators came along in the late seventies, ofering more tuning stability than the Analog VCO's. The trademark of the analog synth, is a very fat warm upfront sound & some tuning problems on some models.įamous Analog synths include: Rolands Juno 106 & the Jupiter6, the Moog Prodigy & the Minimoog, Roland's tb303, mc202, SH02, sh09, sh1000 & sh2000, Sequential Pro-one & prophet5, Arp Odyssey, korgs monopoly & polysix etc. people who had migrated from Hammonds, Rhodes and other players instruments. The great thing is they have so much control source in the form of knobs and/or sliders and wheels etc. these are then manipulated with filters, envelopes, modulation etc. They use analog oscillator curcuits to create basic raw waves. This covers all the mono and polysynths up to about the late 70's early 80's.
It's probably good to have one of each type if working in hardware OR in software now that FM, Additive & Subtractive, wavetable etc styles of synthesis are available in s/w plugin form to be played and controlled in real-time with decent fast computers costing £500 quid or so. these are the basis for all the dance sounds you hear. The weapons available can be devided into 4 types. So when we say "Dance synth", we mean a synth with versatile sounds for styles, and not too much orchestral stuff! What will make your sound different to others?. If we all end up using them, think about it?. So yes in a way, there are modern "Dance" synths, but. What we need is to get a good compromise between the sounds that are particular for a style, or what people want to hear, and some originality to go with it. basically, styles have usual or 'typical' sounds which identify the style!. There are definately sounds you do need, like 909 style thumping kiks for house etc or mebbe 'typical' garage drum sounds, but beyond these standard sounds there comes originality, and that can be achieved without spending a packet. What the hell is "Pro quality".or a "Dance module" ?.Hmmmmm !
"Is the VD303 pro quality?".Īnd they are bollox questions really. There are loads of requests from people on the newsgroups. any hand drums, because all the rhythms from the drums, bass, synths etc is just drum patterns but with other features like pitch. Just get your arse out of the house, and go and join a percussion workshop. and you'll probably have alot of good times, and meet some cool people. Nothing is going to improve your tracks more. Nothing is going to matter soundwise if the groove aint happening, so this is our first tip. First, and number one priority is The Groove!!. There's no rules as to what sounds you can & can't use beyond the basics that define a style.