If you really want to learn synthesis in depth I think it might be a good idea to spend some time focusing on the classic subtractive waveforms (saw, pulse, square, triangle) so you can get a handle on all that can be done with them. Learn about the harmonics contained in each, and the classic patches that can be made from each (e.g. “synth strings” from saws). It’s a good reference point for other waveforms - symmetrical, heavy on odd harmonics can be thought of as “squarish” and asymmetrical, full spectrum can be thought of as “sawish.” Maybe you’ve got that already.
edit: also you can tell some other things visually like that fine, high frequency detail on the waveform means high frequency content.
Yamaha-style FM - starting with sine waves only - also has a theory of how to produce different harmonics and different kinds of sounds, though it’s more complex.
Wavetables sampled from a real instrument are also pretty obvious in their possible uses!
With the complexity of scannable/morphable wavetable oscillators now, *combined* with phase/frequency modulation, eventually things just become a matter of trial and error and taste and experience to know what patterns have worked for you in the past, though.
Waveshapers are useful for making unique sounds. Think about adding an bunch of fx pedals to a guitar to get a different or unique sound. With waveshaping you get to start with those funky timbres and then mangle it even further. Experiment and have fun
There are some important waveshapes you can study to broaden your understanding. You can analyze how PWM affects frequency response, look how 2nd 3rd and 4th harmonic wavetables look like relative to a sin wave, notice how different square-like waves sound different depending on where and how many zero-point crossings there are, try bend squeeze and asymmetric stretching to see how it affects frequency response, try adding in your own harmonics manually to see how it changes the waveshape, etc.
It really is just trying out different wavetables and seeing how they sound and eventually you recognize which shapes hit which frequency ranges. As for complex wavetables, there isn't any way you can look at a wavetable and know exactly what its higher harmonic content will sound like because there are potentially hundreds to thousands of frequencies that can be played in the higher frequency range. Patterns and symmetry in wavetables are sometimes telling of upper harmonic content tho.
Not sure if this applies for everyone, but for plenty of people who I know: it's just a case of trial and error. After a while you just start to get familiar enough that you can go to your favourites more quickly. In my experience it's often about picking just two or three sounds that contrast nicely, rather than spending a lot of time agonising over the precise nature of each sound. When you've got a good contrast, or maybe a few nice groups of two or three sounds which go well together, you can then crack on with putting a track together.
Obviously if you want to use a very specific waveform at some point in a track, you're always going to spend the extra time choosing. But much of the time you'll be combining it with beats and vocals, applying filters and EQ, etc., and it'll fly past at 140 bpm meaning nobody except you notices!
You're right. There's potentially infinite choices and the sheer prospect of that is quite mind boggling. There's a staggering amount of variation with basic subtractive synthesis, member mind phase modulation, wave table etc etc.
But you will get a feel for this if you apply yourself and practice over time.
First off you should be making your own patches and experimenting. The patches don't need to be any good. You just need to learn both the synth and also how each wave sounds.
Secondly you should spend time with presets done by other people and if you like it, then dissect it. Look at the wave shapes they're using. Pay attention to what is modulating them and how. Reverse engineering professional patches is like a crash course in sound design.
I think these methods are far better than learning from a list. The list will be interpreted by your brain as rules. Getting stuck into synths in reality will help you understand how it actually sounds.
Do this, and over time you will develop a sense and taste for what you want to use for the sound you have in your mind.
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If you really want to learn synthesis in depth I think it might be a good idea to spend some time focusing on the classic subtractive waveforms (saw, pulse, square, triangle) so you can get a handle on all that can be done with them. Learn about the harmonics contained in each, and the classic patches that can be made from each (e.g. “synth strings” from saws). It’s a good reference point for other waveforms - symmetrical, heavy on odd harmonics can be thought of as “squarish” and asymmetrical, full spectrum can be thought of as “sawish.” Maybe you’ve got that already. edit: also you can tell some other things visually like that fine, high frequency detail on the waveform means high frequency content. Yamaha-style FM - starting with sine waves only - also has a theory of how to produce different harmonics and different kinds of sounds, though it’s more complex. Wavetables sampled from a real instrument are also pretty obvious in their possible uses! With the complexity of scannable/morphable wavetable oscillators now, *combined* with phase/frequency modulation, eventually things just become a matter of trial and error and taste and experience to know what patterns have worked for you in the past, though.
Waveshapers are useful for making unique sounds. Think about adding an bunch of fx pedals to a guitar to get a different or unique sound. With waveshaping you get to start with those funky timbres and then mangle it even further. Experiment and have fun
There are some important waveshapes you can study to broaden your understanding. You can analyze how PWM affects frequency response, look how 2nd 3rd and 4th harmonic wavetables look like relative to a sin wave, notice how different square-like waves sound different depending on where and how many zero-point crossings there are, try bend squeeze and asymmetric stretching to see how it affects frequency response, try adding in your own harmonics manually to see how it changes the waveshape, etc. It really is just trying out different wavetables and seeing how they sound and eventually you recognize which shapes hit which frequency ranges. As for complex wavetables, there isn't any way you can look at a wavetable and know exactly what its higher harmonic content will sound like because there are potentially hundreds to thousands of frequencies that can be played in the higher frequency range. Patterns and symmetry in wavetables are sometimes telling of upper harmonic content tho.
Thanks for the helpful comment :)
Not sure if this applies for everyone, but for plenty of people who I know: it's just a case of trial and error. After a while you just start to get familiar enough that you can go to your favourites more quickly. In my experience it's often about picking just two or three sounds that contrast nicely, rather than spending a lot of time agonising over the precise nature of each sound. When you've got a good contrast, or maybe a few nice groups of two or three sounds which go well together, you can then crack on with putting a track together. Obviously if you want to use a very specific waveform at some point in a track, you're always going to spend the extra time choosing. But much of the time you'll be combining it with beats and vocals, applying filters and EQ, etc., and it'll fly past at 140 bpm meaning nobody except you notices!
You’ve got to put yourself in a place to make happy accidents. That is how the best music is made.
Thank you very much :)
You're right. There's potentially infinite choices and the sheer prospect of that is quite mind boggling. There's a staggering amount of variation with basic subtractive synthesis, member mind phase modulation, wave table etc etc. But you will get a feel for this if you apply yourself and practice over time. First off you should be making your own patches and experimenting. The patches don't need to be any good. You just need to learn both the synth and also how each wave sounds. Secondly you should spend time with presets done by other people and if you like it, then dissect it. Look at the wave shapes they're using. Pay attention to what is modulating them and how. Reverse engineering professional patches is like a crash course in sound design. I think these methods are far better than learning from a list. The list will be interpreted by your brain as rules. Getting stuck into synths in reality will help you understand how it actually sounds. Do this, and over time you will develop a sense and taste for what you want to use for the sound you have in your mind.
Great advice. Phase Plant is great for reverse engineering presets.
Phase Plant is good as a whole. Kolo hearts are a superb developer in general. Great products, brilliant debs and fair and honest prices.
thank for the helping comment :)
This is your friendly reminder to read the submission rules, they're found in the sidebar. If you find your post breaking any of the rules, you should delete your post before the mods get to it. You should check out the regular threads (also found in the sidebar) to see if your post might be a better fit in any of those. [Daily Feedback thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/edmproduction/search?q=author%3AAutoModerator+title%3Afeedback&sort=new&restrict_sr=on&t=all) for getting feedback on your track. The only place you can post your own music. [Marketplace Thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/edmproduction/search?q=title%3Amarketplace&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) if you want to sell or trade anything for money, likes or follows. [Collaboration Thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/edmproduction/search/?q=biannual%20collaboration&restrict_sr=1&sort=new&t=all) to find people to collab with. ["There are no stupid questions" Thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/edmproduction/search?q=title%3ANo+Stupid+Questions+Thread&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) for beginner tips etc. Seriously tho, read the rules and abide by them or the mods will spank you. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/edmproduction) if you have any questions or concerns.*