Do these synths cover all grounds?

[3nigma]

I'm planning to create electronic music in the genres of...
'Drum and Bass, Aggro-Industrial, and Ambient.' Not all together of course.

I've demoed over 100 synthesizers in the past 6 months, watched hundreds of reviews, and I've decided on the following for my studio. Komplete from NI.

- Kontakt for sampling
- Battery as a drum sampler

- Massive for harsh leads and basses, as well as textures
- Absynth for pads, soft ambient sounds
- FM8 for middle ground, analog sounding leads, basses

And that's really all I want to use. I'm a simple guy, I don't want to jump from new synth to new synth all the time and constantly build my Studio to the point where it gets ridiculously complex and I don't get inspired to make any tracks. I want a streamlined setup, and from what I've seen and heard, these 3 synths should be able to reproduce just about anything I've got in my head. Of course, tons of mixer effects, plugins, filters, etc will help. But mainly, I want to master these 3 in terms of sound design.

Also, one synth that I've fell in love with but won't necessarily be part of my main arsenal is Sonic Charge's Synplant. This thing is so fun. But anyways.

I need your opinion guys, is this all I'll ever need? As I know there's people floating around on this forum that are pros, and know 10x more than me.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

I need your opinion guys, is this all I'll ever need?

I don't see how there is any way anybody except you could answer that for you.

Your muse will tell you what it wants, and it's up to you to determine when and what to feed your muse.

Start with what you have picked after all your research. If you don't need more after that, then don't get any more. If you reach a point where you find you want to do something that you can't do with your current instruments, then it's your choice and decision as to whhether to eht that extra synth that will do what your muse though of.

G.

 

[3nigma]

I don't see how there is any way anybody except you could answer that for you.

I know it's sort of a weird question. I'm pretty much still unsure about whether or not these 3 can get everything done. Apart from the amazing demos and reviews I've seen, I'm still skeptical as to whether or not I'll need to bring more Soft Synths into the mix.

Reason being, I see alot of major artists go through their gear in interviews and they literally have like... 100 effects boxers, filters, audio interfaces, sound design tools like the Kyma workstation, Analog keyboard synths, etc. Totaling to like $100,000. I don't know if that's a side effect of them becoming rich, and just buying anything they feel like buying, or they actually use 90% of those in actual productions.

I just sort of feel inferior or even cocky to just limit myself to 3 synths. Ya know? I guess I'm just waiting for someone to reply and say "BAUAHAHA, you crazy? 3 Synths? Pssh, you're gonna need at least 20."

 

[clivus]

I just sort of feel inferior or even cocky to just limit myself to 3 synths. Ya know? I guess I'm just waiting for someone to reply and say "BAUAHAHA, you crazy? 3 Synths? Pssh, you're gonna need at least 20."

I am of the opinion that it is much more about the 'indian' than the 'arrows'. You can do some great stuff with minimal gear used well.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

I am of the opinion that it is much more about the 'indian' than the 'arrows'. You can do some great stuff with minimal gear used well.

Amen.

One of my favorite musicians on the planet plays nothing but a ukelele.

As far as those with $100K worth of synths, listen to their music. Are they actually using all that stuff? Or do they just like their toy collection? It can go either way, depending upon the artist.

I gotta fall back upon my original point: get what you need to create the music you want to create. If you wind up finding that your muse wants to take you beyond what tools you have already, then get more. If not, then don't.

But honestly, my guess (and I could be wrong) is that if you have to ask the question, you probably don't need much.

G.

 

[sonicpsyops]

Just go with those three synths and work with them. I read in Keyboard magazine that Redone or One Red or whatever he calls himself (Lady Gaga's producer) just used the synths that came standard with Logic which is what they used to record Lady Gaga's (or whatever she calls herself)current album. Logic isn't even a synth, per se, it's a sequencer.

You're going to find that you'll tend to gravitate towards about 15 to 20 percent of what you actually have in your arsenal. Most of those synths wont even be used, but you'll have your favorites that you can't stop using.

 

[Ray_Pollard]

Komplete is excellent value for money and there is enough there to get you started in those genres.

Many artists already use battery and those synths are an excellent introduction into programming synthesis. Use Massive sparingly as it can swamp a mix. FM8 can sound as good as any hardware FM synth with a little programming. and Absynth, although not a favourite of mine, also allows for some new sound mutations that may hit the spot.

The fact that you can also use Guitar Rig to manipulate the sounds even more means there wont be any $$$ wasted on your purchase.

 

[3nigma]

Komplete is excellent value for money and there is enough there to get you started in those genres.

Many artists already use battery and those synths are an excellent introduction into programming synthesis. Use Massive sparingly as it can swamp a mix. FM8 can sound as good as any hardware FM synth with a little programming. and Absynth, although not a favourite of mine, also allows for some new sound mutations that may hit the spot.

The fact that you can also use Guitar Rig to manipulate the sounds even more means there wont be any $$$ wasted on your purchase.

Oh yeah, I forgot to add the PRO-53 for any analog sounds. But yes, Komplete seems to be worth every penny. I was messing with the Absynth demo and there's SO much in there. It's really complex and I've only figured out about 50% of it, but it's already so deep. And I love Massive, it's... Well, massive. Oh yes, and I will use Guitar Rig for any distortion and guitar. I think I'm good.

Just go with those three synths and work with them. I read in Keyboard magazine that Redone or One Red or whatever he calls himself (Lady Gaga's producer) just used the synths that came standard with Logic which is what they used to record Lady Gaga's (or whatever she calls herself)current album. Logic isn't even a synth, per se, it's a sequencer.

Yeah... But her music could easily be made with nothing but free-ware synths. It's just repetitive beats. But I get what you're saying. You can use anything you want to achieve professional results.