4 Free Synth Plugins For Beginners 🔊

Howdy! Today we're here to talk about what I think are some of the best free synth plugins to learn sound design on from beginner to more advanced levels!
GPU Audio Beta ► bit.ly/3RxUu6K
Plugins in this video:
Tal Noisemaker ► tal-software.com/products/tal...
Odin II ► www.thewavewarden.com/odin2
Vital ► vital.audio/
Surge XT ► surge-synthesizer.github.io/
Become a Patron ► venustheory.com/buckaroonie-b...
Samples and Presets ► venustheory.com/store
Gear List ► venustheory.com/gear
My Awesome Partners:
🎶 Bitwig ► bit.ly/2S3cqvP
🔊 Free To Use Sounds ► bit.ly/3kIpeTz (save $5 with code: venustheory5)
💿 DistroKid (Save 7%) ► distrokid.com/vip/venustheory
🎼 Hooktheory! ► hooktheory.com/affiliate/209....
🎛 PSP Audioware ► bit.ly/3yqABa7 (save 10% with code: venustheory)
💙 Kilohearts ► bit.ly/2S7dZZP
🎸 Bandzoogle ► bandzoogle.com/?pc=venustheory
💻 Plugin Boutique ► bit.ly/3IfHldl
☁ Loopcloud ► bit.ly/3IUItTn
🟧 Reason Studios ► bit.ly/2RUqSWK
🎹 Perfect Circuit ► bit.ly/3NJmL7k
🕺 Cableguys ► bit.ly/2T4Or0a
🌊 Waves Plugins ► bit.ly/3yHTMJX
🔊 ADSR Sounds ► bit.ly/3e5xCcD
👽 PSY Acoustics: psyacoustics.com/ (Save 10% with code VENUSTHEORY)
Gear I Use:
Edison Lamps: amzn.to/31prLMm
Desk: amzn.to/3Dl4J64
Chair: amzn.to/3001Xpk
Computer Monitor Stand: amzn.to/3In7O9u
Tripod: amzn.to/3Euissz
Video Lights: amzn.to/3dpfCZW
Camera: amzn.to/3xYZ7gB
Lens: amzn.to/3xYZ7ND
Speaker Stands: amzn.to/3InkBZt
MIDI Keyboard: bit.ly/3G7OkDU
Audio Interface: bit.ly/31mZExn
▼▼▼TIMESTAMPZ:▼▼▼
0:00 GPU Audio
0:41 Howdy
1:29 Beginner Level
4:17 Intermediate Level
7:34 Advanced Options
8:19 Advanced Option 1
9:54 Advanced Option 2
12:24 Closing Thoughts
Stay classy!
▼▼▼Join My Discord!▼▼▼
discordapp.com/invite/p7RUmTt
▼▼▼Follow Venus Theory▼▼▼
Official Site → www.venustheory.com
Audius→ www.audius.co/venustheory
Bandcamp→ venustheory.bandcamp.com/
Twitter→ / venustheory
Instagram→ / venustheory
Soundcloud → / venustheory
VK → venustheory
---
Disclosure:
If you make a purchase using any of the affiliate links, I will earn a small commission with no extra cost to you. This is a great way to get cool new stuff, and support the channel so I can make more videos like this one!
I only promote products and services that I love myself, and I'm sure you'll love them too!
I appreciate it! 😁
#synthesizers #musicproduction #sounddesign

[@VenusTheory]

What was your first synth plugin? I got FM8 and...that was a really stupid choice in hindsight 😅 GPU Audio Beta ► bit.ly/3RxUu6K ▼Plugins in this video▼ Tal Noisemaker ► tal-software.com/products/tal-noisemaker Odin II ► www.thewavewarden.com/odin2 Vital ► vital.audio/ Surge XT ► surge-synthesizer.github.io/ ▼Gear In This Video▼ Edison Lamps: amzn.to/31prLMm Desk: amzn.to/3Dl4J64 Chair: amzn.to/3001Xpk Computer Monitor Stand: amzn.to/3In7O9u Speaker Stands: amzn.to/3InkBZt MIDI Keyboard: bit.ly/3G7OkDU Audio Interface: bit.ly/31mZExn

[@IvaadenFebbs]

I think starting with Helm was a good place to start- then expanded to Surge and Sytrus

[@leroyrobenson]

Iris 2 - Was $9.99 from Plugin Boutique, really fun. Lot of inspiring features. Was an orchestral kid learning what all of the knobs and settings did. Downloaded all of the ones from the video just to have and play with.

[@martindiehl155]

My first soft synth was ReBirth RB-338 from Propellerheads. Huh, this was long ago and I used it without a DAW. The first synth plugin I bought to enhance my DAW was Voltage Modular from Cherry Audio.

[@user-qc5rr2il2k]

refx vanguard, tone 2 gladiator

[@AndrewHeathArts]

To be honest, FM8 got me into software synths from FM hardware. But, I disagree and think it is capable of some really beautiful sounds. I have to say though, I was blown away by the last two you played… top video again but then all your work is. Many thanks.

[@edbrito-swdev]

Damn, I wasn't expecting that shark attack.

[@brokenmoon3300]

same

[@SpeccyMan]

I thought it sounded more like a baby shark attack. 😁

[@Richtoopoor]

Bro as I’m reading this in confusion all I hear is…..

[@baconpaul5772]

Thanks as always for all your support of Surge!

[@dR0L0b]

hey its the legend himself!! thanks for your hard work too

[@BlindLibrary]

All hail Claes Johanson!

[@krysidian]

My first synth was HELM, Vital's little but also older brother. It really helped me grasp the basics fo substractive synths and has so much to offer. It also helped me get into Vital really quickly! Still incredible that those two are one-man projects

[@necrobynerton7384]

Man I really liked HELM when I discovered it, but sadly I had trouble with audio. Sometimes it would do stereo, often would just stay in mono. Sometimes no audio. Though I guess Surge was next on my list and the thing is just a daily driver lol Vital too, but not much into wavetable stuff

[@BlindLibrary]

@@necrobynerton7384 That's just it with something like SurgeXT... You don't have to go wave table if you don't want to... There's too many other crazy things to have fun with (like String, Twist and Alias oscillator types)? Forgot to mention there's an Additive subtype under Alias where you can add up to 16 separate harmonics in addition to the basic Additive sound just by moving sliders around? Create your own organ! Drop in a rotary speaker! Assign the Mod wheel on your MIDI controller to adjust rotary speeds and your 1-off is ready for primetime! In the reverb department, try the AirWindows+Galactic effect and tune it to your taste...

[@bobdevore24]

Thanks for the intro to Noisemaker and Odin. Being new to software synths I’ve struggled with Surge and Vital. This helps a lot

[@BrofUJu]

I actually found Vital to be insanely helpful in teaching me synths too, since you can see the LFOs and OSC or wavetables, and then see and hear them move in real time. The simplicity of dragging and dropping rules too.

[@yvespillot1245]

Agree, vital taught me a lot

[@comradecam]

3rdsies

[@nopenheimer]

Vital was what made it click for me. I knew what envelopes, oscillators and filters were, and knew the role they play, but only a little time with vital let me understand how to work towards a specific sound I was imagining. First time In tried vital it looked beautiful but overwhelming, so I put it aside. Came back after watching a video on making a patch... once I saw you can drag things to effect and control other things [not immediately obvious , because how could it be?] it all changed.

[@BrofUJu]

@@nopenheimer totally. Particularly being able to see the point travel on the LFO and then hearing it. I have Avenger and it's awesome too, but I wish it was easier to see the LFOs move etc

[@CounternoiseMusic]

Thanks for this rundown. Have to admit I didn't know all of these and will be remembering this the next time I feel the urge to up my arsenal.

[@philipsnettleton]

Not wanting to sound like a fanboy, but you are my favourite synth goto guy. Please keep doing this. I would be lost without you.

[@tracktionwaveformtips]

Boy, I’m a big fan too. I enjoy Cameron’s smooth delivery, attention to detail and subtle humour added.

[@nicholasdriffield3967]

Your intro's get me every time. Nothing but gratitude dude.

[@ChuckHawleyMusic]

Thanks so much for your reviews and suggestions! They're helping me immensely as I get back into electronic music after a 10+ year hiatus. You rock!

[@lonophonic117]

I was just looking for free VST’s to download around Christmas and these look incredible. I may have to consider/download these. Thank you mate for introducing us to these unique and truly amazing synth VST’s!

[@ominoxe]

Vital and Surge XT are truly amazing synthesizers.

[@CosmicHarmony58]

i love getting lost in surge xt lol theyre so cool

[@BlindLibrary]

@@CosmicHarmony58 Uh, so do I?

[@angel006a]

Yes, and I don't know much about them, but perhaps one of the many good things about Surge is that it has pretty much no hidden controls.

[@grimelandmusic]

Ahhhh thank you so much for this video!!! I am new to synths, have been messing with Vital but been feeling overwhelmed, just downloaded Tal Noisemaker and within seconds knew this was much more my speed. Cheers! :D

[@digitalsketchguy7844]

I've downloaded all these synths apart from Vital. And I've been using only presets only so far. This video has inspired me to actually start learning the basics of synth sound design. I play guitar but have always loved progrock & people like Walter Carlos, Vangelis & Tomita. So thank you bro.

[@JeffyG]

Love this video! Really helps put these synths in perspective 👍

[@JayAlsman]

As always, excellent, informative content! Also, the slightly dark humor in your intros, is very much enjoyed here…Thank you.

[@Dolphinboy999]

One of your best tutorials! Thank you Cameron

[@virtuallifeform]

It's quite amazing how generous the creators of these powerful plugins are! 👍

[@AJPMUSIC_OFFICIAL]

What a world we live in. More generous and friendly than ever. All this info and gear for free.

[@learnmusicwithme4170]

Open source is the only way forward. All these people who make free plugins but don't release the source? Well, what happens when they die or when they no longer work on newer OSes?

[@virtuallifeform]

@@learnmusicwithme4170 This is a very valid point. 👍

[@BlindLibrary]

@@AJPMUSIC_OFFICIAL Stuff we're normally not even supposed to play with, lol!

[@PrinceWesterburg]

People always where alweays nice, the ones that make money and get rich are bastards and we've been conditioned to aspire to being a bastard. When this life is over and you look back, you'll be glad of not being a bastard! :o)

[@Death_By_Media]

It’s truly ridiculous how good Surge XT, Vital and Odin II are and all free ( though I got the middle Vital option early ) and open source ! I have The big packages from Korg , Roland , Arturia and many many others and find myself using Surge and Vital more often ....could of saved some money in reality. Newbies are very fortunate to have these options. One not mentioned in this video ( but in others Venus has done ) for thouse starting out is OB-Xd ( free personal/ paid pro ) though oden and Surge have it’s filter dsp . Now if the Surge team ever takes the Wavetable and its mutations OSC from Vital and adds it in to XT ... game over probably never use another plugin synth . Oden is pretty decent too not hating on it at all . Cheers.

[@BrofUJu]

Lol same. I have the Arturia Moog, and only go for it when I really want that Moog sound. Use Vital for a lot else.

[@Death_By_Media]

@@BrofUJu Echo Sound works has a nice big free selection of Wavetables ( including lots of Moogs ) which you can use in Vital ,but using them in Surge XT with its Ladder Filter model it’s pretty damn Moogish for me . Cheers

[@ErebosGR]

_Dexed_ (emulating the Yamaha DX7) is another great open source option if someone wants to start with FM synthesis.

[@JeffyG]

Same. I have Arturia Analog Lab 5, Korg Legacy Collection and Komplete 13 (all acquired at deep discounts) but I enjoy and use Vital, Surge and a few free instruments most of the time.

[@BlindLibrary]

The wavetable design implement for Surge is a smidge different; I.E., you don't just drop regular sounds into a table. They're patterned in powers of 2 exclusively, so your theoretically largest waveform will only end up being at most more than 3072 bytes. Then there's this funkey thing with frames; Something about frames having to match the individual sounds in the table. A bit involved, unlike ShortCircuitXT (not quite ready for prime time yet…

[@christuusgnosis]

Thx fr the noisemaker tut, just recently fell in luv with tal reverb Cho.

[@VIRALBEATS360]

Nice! Perfect timing, as I am currently digging into the not so free Cherry Audio synth plugins. Thanks.

[@frankneumann2108]

Thanks for always mentioning Linux variants where they are available. Highly appreciated by a long-term hobbyist🐧:-).

[@tracktionwaveformtips]

I absolutely agree. I use Linux about 95% of the time now and I love hearing it get mentioned.

[@jennoscura2381]

I am a long time Linux user. The last version of Windows I used was XP. So I appreciate Linux options. 🐧

[@tracktionwaveformtips]

@@jennoscura2381 wow, that’s a while more than me! I’m on it full time about 2 years now and loving it.

[@JamesAllenDjMadlogik]

I personally find synthesis really intimidating, I understand the concepts thought from wave form, filter, effect and modulate, the basics, so TAL along with syntorial I reckon is my way to go, I have been making tracks using samples though and some resythesis in the shape of filtering, effecting, automating, distortion and the like, although now I feel I should get on board with designing my own sounds from scratch as I think it will give me more options and control, thanx again Cameron for what you do here, liking the hair 2.0 too :)

[@arstavial]

Thanks for your great Beginner suggestion! I've been using default/random stuff I find, and they are all WAY over my head. This is the first Synth I tried where I went "woah, ok, I can actually make some cool sounding stuff with this!"

[@jesusrocks7500]

I'm watching the Surge XT movie right now. It's got some of your wavetables in it. Thanks for the info. Absolutely love it!

[@JeffHendricks]

I really started learning sound design with Caustic 3 on a tablet, as it was only $10 and has all the major synth types (PCM, Sub, FM, Modular) plus some cool extras, and a great sequencer. Currently enjoying playing with U-He's Hive 2.

[@MrCcfly]

what hive2 give that surge vital cant do ?

[@namagenshu]

another informative and well made video with that touch of VT humor. keep them coming! haven't ever played with Odin or Surge, so grabbed those.

[@BlindLibrary]

Surge has a bit of a yeah whatever interface but don't be fooled. There's a lot under the hood there.

[@kelvinfunkner]

wow! this was perfect for me! I'm just delving into synths and needed someone to point me in the right direction!

[@BroadVisionsStudios]

If you like free plugin videos, check us out. We try to help new and experienced producers alike. Hope you slide by, Much Love!

[@toddwmac]

Really appreciate and enjoy your videos. Thanks!

[@SeleckPlays]

I feel like I'm both given wonderful sound design tips as well as following along on your personal hairstyle journey. I happy I'm along for the ride. 😄

[@randydean23]

Had no idea that you could use an input signal as an oscillator in Surge_ and I have had the plug-in for years at this point. Doh!!

[@isweartofuckinggod]

The TAL plugins were some of the first VST plugins I ever downloaded. Really, I learned sound design using the stock FL Studio plugins like 3xOSC, Harmless, and Sytrus. But the TAL plugins still hold a special place in my heart as they mark the moment I began seeking out more tools to learn and make better music with. Good times.

[@Subjective_JoshNelson]

Cameron, thanks for this! Just what I needed as a newb to learn about synthesis! Your wry sense of humor and intellectual dispositions' make for a great brand, too!

[@philiptownsend4026]

I really enjoyed that and it was very helpful too. So thank you.

[@morizanova]

Thanks for this video . Really cool plugins for start learning to messing up with synth sound

[@jkenlive]

Love these suggestion videos!

[@Ataraxia0]

my first synth and the one I learned sound design on was serum, so it's really cool seeing a free and arguably more powerful synth available for free for newbies out there

[@jvcouk]

Surge is a pleasure to design sounds for. You found my firework launch - I thought that patch would be the least likely to feature in content :)

[@AvengCalifornication]

Hope you make that extra video this was informative!

[@lore6803]

I'm def interested in the business side of things. I don't miss a video. Great job.

[@danatello8489]

Vital's pretty amazing & intuitive. I've been working with it a couple months, learned a lot from YT tutes (some of which I took back to Massive). Also I downloaded Surge a while back (after one of your videos I believe), haven't tried it yet, but I've wanted a way to do synth type modulation on audio, so that audio input definitely has me intrigued 🤔

[@OperculumAudio]

Vital is pretty dope, and I LOVE the routing options in Surge. Def will check out the other 2 synths and cook up some sounds

[@Coda02]

Really cool! I love vital! I also highly recommend Dexed which is modeled on the famous vintage yamaha dx7.

[@DEDZU786]

Thanks for this very useful information 😊

[@GrayAngus]

Amazingly useful. I'll be trying them all.

[@zeromusictalent]

Wow, incredible. Thank you!

[@DarkSoulx7]

I needed this video. I wanna say you have suggested Surge XT before. I had some trouble with my PC and lost everything. I forgot how much I liked Surge. Thanks.

[@masterprocrastinator6264]

Thanks for those ! an more in depth video on Surge and Vital cpabalities would be awesome . As always premium content .

[@virtuallifeform]

He's got a 2+ hour video on Vital from about a year ago or so.

[@masterprocrastinator6264]

@@virtuallifeform oh okay thank you, i thought he might have already made smthing but after i posted the comment 😅

[@onairmastering]

I just thought of 4 EPs using each one, thank you Cam.

[@mrz80]

Three of my favorite freebies are Martin Luders' JX clone PG-8X, for that distilled essence of 80s Roland goodness, U-He's Tyrell N6, which has cool presets and a really intuitive UI, and the venerable but potent Synth1, a free take on the essence of Nord. Out of everything you've covered in free plugins the last couple years, I'd have to say that I'm most impressed with OdinII and SurgeXT. You could record an entire career's worth of awesome stuff with just those two (and maybe a drum machine like Hydrogen :) )

[@dmitripopov8570]

Thank you so much!!! They sound great!!!

[@jamie9726]

Thanks so much mate. I love your vids. I am just getting started a year ago, and have come across your vids this last few weeks. A plug in guru of sorts. Saw your live the other night too. Love the deep ambient dark shit. So atmospheric and space opening/closing. Excited to see what I can make in a few years of practice. I spent university hanging out with djs and going to techno events, but as a singer and musician I want to bring more to my sound. So I’m manifesting my sound as I learn how to make filthy beats. Love from Ireland 💚 p.s I quit my job for music, and saw you have a vid about monetising the music. I still have to work a minimum wage job to pay rent and get my equipment for playing live. I’m skint so I appreciate you bro

[@BroadVisionsStudios]

If you like free plugin videos, check us out. We try to help new and experienced producers alike. Hope you slide by, Much Love!

[@lessefrost]

Vital is still my favorite VST synth after chewing on a few different ones. I adore how visual it is and it's easy to fiddle around with to create new sounds. Gonna tack on one for FL Studio users specifically in the "free" category: Sytrus. Sytrus is included with your purchase of FL Studio Producer edition or above. It's a funky synth that's visually confusing as it is powerful. 6 Oscillators with a 6x6 modulation matrix for FM and RM, ability to import your own shapes, and a super robust sound. I really recommend diving in to it if these other synthesizers caught your fancy and you're working in FL Studio Producer or above

[@filiphere]

Yes, please expand on the business side of things! :) Great video as always.

[@dwaynecarroll6098]

These are beautiful products and all for free? Thanks Venus!!!

[@nocturnaloop]

I would love a series on building portfolios, getting gigs, price setting, etc.

[@glensstudio5946]

Another great vid, thank you

[@Crowbar11115]

Congrats on teaming up with Spitfire! Noticed they mentioned you in the new LABS release.

[@rurysan]

Thank you! I got VST synths!

[@chilaquiles2k]

Thank you for sharing Cameron. Will you please recommend the best free DAW in this days? tis in advance!

[@EddieSlowhands]

THANKS FOR SHARING THESE AWESOME SYNTHS !

[@allanmarcel7707]

My first synthesizer, which I tried to program, was the Surrealistic mg-1 plus from Cherry Audio together with Voltage Modular Nucleus, from the same company and I made my first patch thanks to the Venus Theory tutorials (thanks a lot), later I started using Modular from Full Bucket, VCV Rack and Voltage Modular Core, among others. Interestingly, I didn't adapt well to Odin2.

[@abelramirez7320]

I have VPS Avenger. It's a very powerful synth. I love the way it sounds. It has many built in effects and the ways in which you can modulate it's parameters are almost endless. But wow, ever since I downloaded Vital, it's pretty much all I use recently. My 1 year old son lit up when he heard baby shark

[@BlindLibrary]

Let's create a copy of this BabyShark but with SurgeXT! Lol? His eyes will light up?

[@manu_elle_gago]

imo Vital has the perfect learning curve with its tabs: staring with a “simple” synth first (3 oscillators, 2 filters and envelopes looks manageable), then adding effects, then the matrix/modular stuff (that you discover is available in the first tab), and I never got close to understanding the last one. Also I’m absolutely gettin Noisemaker and Odin II

[@Marklar3]

My problem with Vital when it comes to learning is that it has no official manual. Surge XT has a great manual. I know everyone these days likes video tutorials, but they never cover all the features of the synth. Video tutorials also have the problem that you can just sit back and watch. With a manual you have to do it yourself and get "hands on". In a video, you have to pause to try things out and rewind/rewatch for things you need repeated. In a manual, you can just highlight important or confusing points and take notes directly on the page. It's easy to skim back over stuff you already read, but not so much in videos.

[@manu_elle_gago]

@@Marklar3 you have a really good point there. yeah the video-pausing isn't the best practice for learning, for me i think it got easy because of the ableton page 'Learning synthesis' and because previously i had friends explaining me some stuff and the downloading easier more simpler synths than Vital. They should really make a manual, or at least send people to some other places where they can learn what their synth do

[@kianamarrie]

You're one hell of a godsend. Thank you!

[@macho9074]

Thank you very much 😭❤️🙏.

[@manumistral9522]

Thanks for regularly promoting/supporting cross-platform free software!

[@tracktionwaveformtips]

Yes!!!

[@sevenfifteen]

On the beginner side (reaching a bit into intermediate, but mostly beginner) I like to recommend Quilcom RazorBlade. It is totally embracing the 1980s, using 3 oscillators that offer the 80 original rom waveforms/samples of the SQ 80 by Ensoniq (true down to bit level, so you get the original "quality"). 3 OSCs (with modulatable VCA per OSC), 3 LFOs, 4 ENVs, 1 multi-filter, master VCA, PAN, Chorus and Reverb. The modulation options go very deep, so this is more of an intermediate subject, but the clear layout of the flow from the oscillators to the final output is really a playing field for beginners. Three soundbanks show the enormous range of (80s) sounds, it can produce. Free and open source.

[@TheFesta01]

I thought Odin 2 looked really familiar, then I realised it’s totally a clone of (or inspired by)propellerheads Thor. Odin/Thor.... doh! Took me a minute. Few slight differences but I learnt synthesis on Thor so will have to give this a download.

[@spaceexpireaudio666]

I use Vital for most sounds and for learning. It`s interface is clean and logical for an advanced synth which is a big plus for me. Also customizable skins👍

[@ndwknss]

as always cam,, "it's super easy" then proceeds to speak another language entirely. always informative and educational, and very sexy.I learn something every time, thanks for doing what you do!

[@scarletnotes]

My first synth plugin was synth1, good choice for beginners would be also Charlatan and Cobalt. Noise maker seems more advanced than all three. Would recommend Charlatan + some external effects for start, more easy than noise maker.

[@0bscurusSanctus]

Great video, Thanx.

[@imagesofstyle]

Your dry-AF, "you now what? Fine, I'll just roll with it" intros are awesome. Just thought you needed to know that.

[@TheTonyTitan]

Thanks bro!

[@SongOfItself]

The first soft synths I ever saw were the stock plugins built into FL Studio. Whoever doesn't know them, I recommend you check out a random screenshot of Harmor. Not a beginner-friendly setup at all, and really no stock FL instrument was. So I groped around in despair and confusion until I found a free synth called Helm. I haven't seen it mentioned in ages, but it was a prequel to Vital, designed by the same Matt Tytel. Now, Helm is monophonic and fairly basic, but it's laid out so logically and elegantly they could use it to teach subtractive synthesis in schools on Vulcan. This was the synth that explained to me what parts a synth typically has, what the various basic waveforms sound like, how the signal flows, what envelopes, filters and LFOs do, all the what's what. After that, I could approach any more advanced synth and know roughly what to expect, what to look for and where to start. Today, I do think Vital could do the same for beginners. You don't need to use all the advanced parts, you can start with one oscillator and a filter, and i've never seen a more clear, usable, inviting interface than Vital. The only missing thing is a manual, but the online tutorials make up for that.

[@LezMarwick]

Thanks for this video. I just got back into music last year after a thirty year lay off and I'm blown away by what is now possible and available, and most of all by how much of this is FREE!!!! My big problem though is I'm a natural hoarder/collector and already have over 150 synth vsts in my DAW. Consequently I'm getting no music written because I can never decide what to use and even now I'm still adding more synths to my collection! Hopefully I can use this video to focus my attention on just one or two synths and finally get around to learning how to use them, rather than just tinkling around with the thousands of presets available. Jamming with sounds is very enjoyable, but it would be nice to finally record something again after all these years!!! lol

[@igorwagner8955]

So relatable

[@kevinclarke9406]

Late reply but... Restrict yourself to say 2 synths. Decide 'happy or sad'. Give yourself exactly 2 hours to complete. Like you, so many option can really stifle actually making something! Good luck...

[@justynwclark]

Good lord, your TAL-noisemaker demo had my twins running from the other room. 😂😂😂 I’d say it was more than recognizable.

[@cryptotrader2779]

Great stuff. Thanks man. Will go hunting for NoizeMaker and get started. Been messing with synths for many years but I'm ashamed to say I always used presets or downloaded sound banks so never bothered learning sound design. I know, I will go and self-flagellate for an hour for being a lazy good for nothing. Thanks anyway.

[@tsg50647]

thank you 🙏

[@derekholland3328]

Tal Noize Maker is awesome....and that Odin 2 looks interesting.

[@dominiquecamus8488]

Thanks Cameron, I confirm TAL Noise Maker (VST2), Odin II / Vital / Surge XT (CLAP) are fantastic synths! If you permit me, special mention to u-he Podolski & Triple Cheese.

[@krazywabbit]

Stopping after the beginner level option, bookmarked video, tossed like, go to learn TAL then come back if I am worthy to advance to next level. Thank you.

[@prajwal_bagewadi]

thankyou sir our sound design master❤❤❤❤

[@LordCritish]

Now I installed Noizemaker just for that Vaporwave pad.

[@glenesis]

Gotta add Green Oak Crystal to the list. As the grandaddy of all of these freebies, it's still a fantastic learning tool with wicked mod & fx matrices, a powerful evolver button, and it sounds huge.

[@glenesis]

Hey Cameron, there's a reply to this comment that's from a fake-you ...

[@tonverfall_studio]

Crystal's interface is painfully small these days, but I agree on how powerful it is. Another venerable oldie I'm always loading up is alphakanal's Automat1, which is about as close to perfection as a softsynth can get, and it's like 15 years old!

[@charlienagy2385]

wow, you have such a great voice tone as a radio speaker ....

[@machfront]

As I’ve been iPadOS/iOS only since 2018, I’m happy. Having said that, I miss the ancient and awesome Synth1 and would happily pay $200 to have it at my disposal.

[@synthoelectro]

And now we have JUCE that lets us make our own professional sounding VSTs. This is the best time in electronic music for artists in 20 years, with the intro into GPU Audio, and AI instruments coming soon. It's just getting more amazing.

[@BlindLibrary]

Something that even KiloHearts won't do: Use Juce 6.1 or later.

[@synthoelectro]

@@BlindLibrary Learning that Juce kind of sucks.

[@fakshen1973]

Tal and Odin are such beautiful layouts in their simplicity. I have purchased some really powerful synths, full of features. But 90% of the time, I don't need something so complicated. Working with them is always slow or at least feels that way. They aren't intuitive. I think Tal and Odin get it right in their scope. They aren't anything more than what they need to be. Also Tal & Odin sounds like a pretty groovy name for some sci-fi characters (even if Oden is the name of a god).

[@HalfGodHalfBeast]

my first was helm and I still use it at times - I call it between and noizemaker and odin as an honerable mention.

[@nopenheimer]

FM8 was my 1st as well, because it was on sale for $5. I found it impenetrable and moved on to vital and noisemaker. Vital may be complex but everything important is nice and apparent.

[@kevincourcey813]

First synth was not a plug in. It was the System 55 that Bob Moog had "loaned/given" to Albany State University. Man, I learned a lot about how to generate and manipulate sound on that monster. First synth plug-in was Omnisphere...which I still love.

[@TheCubeMusic]

First synth plug in was es2 on Logic Pro 8 before Logic Pro X on my first ever iMac 🖥

[@jennoscura2381]

I haven't tried Tal-Noisemaker. I am always interested in free synth options for Linux. I will have to give this one a try. I already have the other ones. As well as Monique and Dexed. Along with the synth that comes with Reaper.

[@WhatIsMyPorpoise]

woah okay this is really, really good. woah.

[@BroadVisionsStudios]

If you like free plugin videos, check us out. We try to help new and experienced producers alike. Hope you slide by, Much Love!

[@jefferysaddoris]

Thanks very much for this...especially for Vital. Wow. I'm going to get lost in that one.

[@BroadVisionsStudios]

If you like free plugin videos, check us out. We try to help new and experienced producers alike. Hope you slide by, Much Love!

[@tygowo]

lol, im completely new to music in general and i love how Surge XT is even though its insanely confusing and such. I wanna learn everything about this specific one.

[@perfectlymee]

i could watch your content the rest of my life and never be bored. that being said i'mma go detox from your channel now and never return before i find myself cyber stalking you and show up at your door tomorrow. lmao

[@Radio_Zombie]

Hey Cameron! Thanks for all your amazing videos. vital.audio really tickles my ... well everything. Can you tell me which plugin-pack contains your base preset for "rat bastard" (around 8:53)? I can't really afford to buy all plugin kits, but whatever this is in - I want :)