How to Choose Your First Synth

[@SwiftDreamer]

My first physical synth was technically the mc101, then i was able to get my hands on a microfreak. Its definitely worth it to get the microfreak if you can afford one, especially when Arturia still shows it a lot of love with updates!

[@magnuseriksson8081]

Tell me how you use them together please and do you play the keys??

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

And now with the release of the Minifreak you basically have a Microfreak with actual keys for those who don't like the capacitive keys of the original Microfreak. Even though you cannot play tempered keys as expressive like the capacitive keys on the Microfreak, which is the biggest reason why i got the Microfreak originally.

[@samueldavies8461]

Roland JDXI was my first synth. Definitely recommend it. Can make full tracks, analogue monosynth, vocoder/vocals, all Roland's drum machines built in. Can be used to sequence other gear

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

The Behringer Deepmind 6 is also a great beginner analog polyphony synth since it's basically in the same price range of the Minilogue. If you want more than 6 voices, the DeepMind 12 might be the better choice and comes into the Minilogue XD price range. But if you really just want as much synth engines as possible in a single box and don't need real analog synthesis, the Arturia Microfreak is basically a swiss army knife. Even has a Vocoder patched into it and keeps growing in functions via Firmware updates. Since it runs on USB power as well you can even hoop up a Powerbank to it and use it on the go. However the biggest flaw of this thing is it really has absolutely NO onboard effects. Not even a simple delay. It has a completely dry sound and really depends on external FX processors.

[@philxdev]

small audio interface, cheap daw, cheap mic and microfreak to start out using the built in effects of the daw. maybe add a cheap multieffect pedal (stereo) and a behringer model D/ crave or some other cheap analog monosynth for some creamy analog goodness and you can cover a lot sonicly;). I´d say adding a cheap 49+ fullsize keyboard controller with some pads (one that comes with a version of daw) would not be a bad idea.

[@MrJackal43]

I COMMAND that every one’s first synth shall be a Microfreak… great product! ❤

[@clement6977]

Thank you ! It's exactly what I needed, there is too much choice and it's easy to get lost. Hope it will help a lot of people

[@sikdrumz5752]

My 2c: Prioritise sound quality over hands on control. Only buy one with a MIDI overlay that you can save patches with. Choose very well known manufacturers with a great reputation over the years.

[@pulchrapulmentum]

Thank you! This video was very informative and easy for beginners to understand. Had no idea how many options there were for this. 😮😮

[@chuecoxx]

Great introduction to the subject. Like always, great job Gabe. Still haven't bought my first synth, but I've been in love with the Microfreak for a while.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

Honesty If some one is brand new to music production I'd advise they use Reason plus for $20 a month or buy a old version like Reason 4 for $50. It's got very realistic Synths on there and has realism and patch cabling. I love Reason.

[@the_musicalfreakshow]

You should totally get it as a first! As someone who got a MicroFreak as their first hardware synth, I can say it is well worth the money spent, and goes toe-to-toe with some of the synths a couple hundred dollars above the MicroFreaks price!

[@the_musicalfreakshow]

You should totally get it as a first! As someone who got a MicroFreak as their first hardware synth, I can say it is well worth the money spent, and goes toe-to-toe with some of the synths a couple hundred dollars above the MicroFreaks price!

[@geraldclark5812]

I think a Korg NTS-1 paired with a cheap midi controller keyboard like the Arturia Keystep is a good first synth. You'll need the keyboard as the NTS-1's is just a flimsy membrane, but otherwise the NTS-1 is great and your total cost for the two is around $250. I bought a Minilogue XD as my first synth and while I like it, I think the NTS-1 gives you a better intro to basic concepts of waveform, envelope, filter, and effects. It is a mono synth so that's another drawback, but for the money it's a great start, and even for future growth you can add custom oscillators and also use the NTS-1 as an effects box.

[@chuecoxx]

I might look into this. I have the Launchkey mini Mk3, and it already has TRS A MIDI out so I wouldn't need any adapters...

[@Curzik140]

Great video Gabe. The Minilogue (or the Monologue for a mono synth) are great hardware synths for beginners who want to learn basic synthesis, since the layout is really clear. Although I love the Microfreak, I feel that it's more suited towards people who already know about synthesis, because of the wide range of modulation possibilities, which can be quite confusing for someone who doesn't really know what LFOs and Envelopes do. Other great options for cheap mono synths are some of the Behringer lineup like the Model D or the Pro 1. Or even the Deepmind which is polyphonic and heavily underrated. Cheers

[@EnochDark]

and the weird "keyboard" definitely not something I would call beginner friendly either.

[@lundsweden]

Yeah the Behringer synths are really good, the Model D just sounds so good, excellent build too. Pro1 is also great, maybe not quite as classic, and the mod sliders are a bit wobbly. I would'nt mind a Deepmind either, its a phat sounding DCO poly that is Juno-ish and waay more!

[@DocBree13]

Thank you 🙏

[@jmoffitt36]

I'm still on the MicroFreak bandwagon for a beginner synth. Just because it can do so much and gets better with every year or so with updates.

[@GabeMillerMusic]

Yeah it's one of my favorites. It often sounds pretty rough around the edges, but it's really fun and powerful

[@ShaighJosephson]

After using a cheap Yamaha keyboard for a while, I pulled the trigger on a Yamaha Montage 7... Coupled with my extensive guitar pedals, Serum, and Omnisphere, the sound design possibilities are endless...

[@stixvane]

If your a person who wants to create unique sounds no one has heard in your music then looking for old (90s) digital synths that are cheaper than modern synths but still sound amazing...

[@GabeMillerMusic]

I dig this approach! Definitely something I want to dive into myself at some point.

[@GeorgeL909]

When I first started I was like, what's the best bang for my buck, which one sounds the best, and which one gives me the most I can't do with a virtual instrument. Nowadays? Is it made of metal and would it look out of place on the Nostromo from Alien. If the answers are yes and no respectively, then I want it.

[@GabeMillerMusic]

Haha fair enough

[@philxdev]

haha yes, that is an acquired taste if I´ve ever seen one. I´d say the RD-9 drum machine comes really close to the Nostromo spaceship interior design;)

[@kentaccordionist]

My first synth was the Roland sh101. Then I bought a Yamaha dx100 and a Roland Juno 60. Wish I still had the Juno. At the moment I have a Roland ju06a, a sonicware liven xfm, a Yamaha dx100, a behringer crave, a behringer ms101, a behringer model d, a behringer pro 1, an uno, microkorg, a Korg triton taktile and a Roland u110. I also have several hardware sequencers mainly an alesis mmt8 sequencer, along with an Arturia keystep, Arturia beatstep, Yamaha qy 10, yamaha qr5, and a seiko mr1000. Along with various drum machines and midi controllers.

[@MaleInMarchMusic]

Reface CS

[@laiklovesmusic]

My first synth was a Korg MicroKORG S Still recommend it to this day!

[@thesuit4820]

VCV Rack - software modular - worth experiencing the frustration for free

[@vladdtheinhaler]

I’ve learned so much from this video. Thank you!

[@maxbosoxfan171]

great video Gabe .. nice breakdown on all the " options "

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

The first synthers I got was in Reason 05 DAW it comes with very authentic realistic synths, but physical gear its MiniNova, I might buy the Yamaha Montage 7, such a great machine.

[@MrSwordstroker]

Great advice Gabe!

[@ImranAli-uu4vj]

Please more vids on diff MPC set ups, would love to hear some diff genres as a challenge as well

[@ToyKeeper]

If you can only have one device, get a nice groovebox. Ideally one which does more than you need, so you'll have room to grow. If you can have _two_ devices, get a nice synth too. Make sure it has a good interface.

[@ToyKeeper]

As an example of a relatively small but nice setup, my personal setup is: - Groovebox / DAW: Akai Force - Headphones and speakers - A cheap mic - MIDI keyboard: Arturia KeyStep (but the newer "37" model would be better) - Sequential Pro 3 - A cheap mixer All I really need is the Force, headphones, a mic, and a midi keyboard. I use the mic to do extremely rough sketches of songs, humming parts in real-time so I can capture ideas quickly before they evaporate. Then I sequence what I hummed, add layers, and arrange the parts into a song. The Pro 3 is a nice extra, for making more interesting sounds, faster, with more hands-on control. It can do crazy stuff, and great sounds basically just fall out of it at the slightest provocation. It's also nice having two keyboards so I can noodle with a bass and a lead part at the same time. But it's definitely a luxury, not a necessity. The mixer is just so I can connect more than one thing at a time to the Force, and easily monitor and adjust levels.

[@janneliimatainen6186]

minilogue xd is around same price as Behringer Deepmind 12D. - DM12D does not have keyboard, but you might have midikeyboard already available... DM12D has very fine FX engine too! (and 12 voice polyphony).

[@runcycleskixc]

Than you for posting this!

[@EnochDark]

Voting against Microfreak, not my first synth by a long shot but definitely not something I feel is easy to use/learn fresh out of the box at all. So much so that I've only messed with it a couple times, got frustrated and put it away. My personal recommendation would be the Bass Station 2. I've never enjoyed making patches on anything else as much as on the BS2. I think my first programable synth was DX-7... Hours upon hours of pushing buttons and looking at a calculator size LCD screen def. not as fun as all the knobs on the Bass Station!

[@GabeMillerMusic]

I think if someone has some familiarity with wavetable synth plugins with lots of modulation options (Serum, Vital, etc), they won't have too much trouble diving into the MicroFreak. And for people newer, they should be able to ease into it with just the virtual analog engine and filter, then work their way into more and more complexity. But it's definitely not for everyone, there are plenty of people who don't click with the interface or the sound. But it's pretty competitive in terms of its price to features ratio.

[@EnochDark]

@@GabeMillerMusic Maybe one day I'll learn my way around it since everyone seems to think it's so awesome. I kinda wish I'd waited and got an Uno Pro instead since I really like my little Uno Synth aside from the very limited interface.

[@luminousbrilliance1711]

@@EnochDark It's Ok Enoch-What I would say is dust of the MicroF and update it's firmware/ patches. I personally am befuddled by programming it's matrix, etc. But the first patch out of even the stock install, play along to Dark Side of the Moon. There are only two knobs that lead to joy-the analog Filter knobs-Cutoff and Resonance. They are hilarious through all of the myriad patches, but that is the brass tacks to maybe hope you can enjoy it. There is a third joy interface, the weird expression strip on the upper right of the capacitive keyboard. It is hilarious because it's function changes depending on whatever weird patch you dial to. And That's it. Treat it like it's a m alfunctioning old analog synth- and use it as relish to supplement Synths that you are already familiar with. I hope this helps you and others as well. Peace! :-)

[@vtec1988]

My man, thank you for this information. We appreciate you💪💪💪

[@AxelisK]

6:56 OMG, that was epic

[@santiagojimenez3846]

I like to compare analog vs digital to manual vs automatic cars. At least for me it seems like a similar battle where modern automatic cars are competing and surpassing performance of manual cars as where before it was the other way around. That being said there’s always a soft spot for manual cars in the way that they are just more interactive and overall more raw feeling in the way that analog synths are for me. Idk just a though let me know what y’all think

[@asirus]

Great advice! Thank you. 🫶🏽

[@willhelliwell]

I've got a midi USB keyboard and plenty of software synths. I really like the idea of a standalone piece of kit with knobs on though. Turning on the PC, opening the software, plugging things in... that all takes too long and gets in the way of creativity.

[@philxdev]

^^noob... why even ever turn off the computer:) no seriously. standalone/ hardware sounds nice until you realize that it can open another can of worms... Cables, sync issues between all the gear, storing patches and settings for whatever piece of music you are creating... and yeah all that will apply unless you only use a single synth plugged into some stereo system which we all know will most likely not be able to make a complete track without some major compromises..

[@r3dsnow757]

Me too, i used to fiddle with my midi keyboard, now i own a digitone , i make my tracks on it then add on other instruments on my daw.

[@markcrowley65]

Excellent video. Clear and unbiased.

[@jaypkock]

Im basically looking at 2 synths to start with and that is the Behringer Model D or the MiniFreak, im very drawn to the MicroFreak but i feel uncertain because of the keybed (strictly speaking from a first synth point of view, since i think the touchstrips looks suuperfun)

[@Komet163B]

This seems like a video for people who already know how to play a keyboard or piano and want to get their first synth. What about for people that don’t know how to play keyboard or piano and want a first synth? Once I get the synth and learn how to program it, what then? Learn to play the piano on the synth using a piano patch? My sequencer can play my synth, but I cannot..

[@marknagle-vi7og]

Kind of like saying I want to fly an airplane but don’t want to take lessons dude

[@gapster77]

I can’t play the piano. If you get an Arturia Keystep you can use it as a Keybed for countless Boutique Synths and Modular Systems. You can set the Keystep to a scale of your choosing, and when you move up and down the keys it won’t matter if you hit a key outside of that chosen scale as the Keystep will play the nearest note in that scale, in the direction you are moving …this is cheating but is also great for noobs, you can’t help but sound good. It outputs MIDI or CV, and you can use it to sequence a synth, or create Arpeggios that are great fun. I would recommend a Synth that not only welcomes a newcomer, but will have plenty to grow into. A good choice would be the Moog Mavis (eurorack compatible if you move into that domain), unless you would like to get into sample based synthesis, I personally like the Elektron Model: Samples as an entry option (you don’t need a Keystep to use the Model:Samples, but it does help), the Elektron Sequencer is one of the best, and their is loads of potential for percussive sound and drones, as it’s more of a groovebox, I learned a great deal from this synth.

[@e8root]

Choose your first synth... shows mostly Korg Minilogue :) I found this video right after my first synth arrived and I played with it almost two hours. Ten points question: what was my first synth? :D

[@martysmith2851]

I really can tell when producers are using hardware Vs a producer who is using plugins only.

[@dlinnoedlinnoe]

My first one was CraftSynth 2.0 - monophonic wavetable synth. It's kinda cheap (like Korg Volca) but it can teach you a lot of things about sound design and all this stuff. Maybe Skulpt SE is better if you really need polyphony (and have a midi keyboard for it). Now I do have Volca Keys too, as well as MicroFreak, and I still think that CraftSynth 2.0 was a really good choice for the first synth.

[@bahutu802]

Hey Gabe, I would be really curious to hear your 2 cents about the Sonicware Liven XFM. It's a 6-voice FM synth / sequencer which is capable of morphing between 2 FM sounds / algorithms, with lots of automation, quite an advanced sequencer etc. Seems to have quite a steep learning curve, but I can imagine once one understands it, I suppose it's an incredibly powerful device. And I can imagine it fits quite well with the kind of music your into. I'm not in any way affiliated with that brand, just very curious as I think, given that there are only like 20 high quality videos about it on YT, I think it is a highly underrated device with a big future if introduced to a bigger audience...

[@blessankuriakose2551]

What about Behringer ms-1

[@NightOrchids]

Imo, i would recommend someone interested in synthesis for the first time to cut their musical baby steps on a relatively cheap workstation..like a Korg Kross 2, so they can feel inspired by the great sounds and maybe ttinker with programming and sequencing later on... An earlier workstation where everything was modular.. like a Yamaha Motif xs or korg m50.. so they can try Arpeggiators... but not the M3 or kronos.. karma is way too complicated for a beginner .. analogue synthesis for a beginner.. like a Roland jd800 or a moog can be visually daunting just too overwhelming ... theyve often lose interest.. alot of work

[@RustyTonesJr]

I got a Waldorf M for my first synth. Does one thing well.

[@miguelinfante7238]

Great video. I am a guitar player and want to purchase my first synth just to jam and experiment with sounds. I know almost nothing about a synth set up. I want to be able to play a synth through my modulation and reverb pedals but don't know how to set that up. Can I just play it through my guitar amp? I am looking at the Arturia micro and minifreak, and the Korg minilogue XD. My budget is about $600. Which one would you recommend?

[@hansipitzer3051]

Hi I have no idea what even a synth is, but I would like to hear the sound of plants and trees, could you please tell me or point me in the right direction what I have to buy? thank you for your time Hansi

[@erniecf]

Great video - thanks man

[@gravity00x]

as someone who only uses digital i dont get how people say there is no difference to analog. its a frikkin mountain of a difference. are your ears fine?

[@sandyturner1911]

I have the Microfreak, but I'm having a hard time figuring out how to get out of the presets, which I don't really like. Thanks!

[@micheldejesus3319]

If I started again I'd only buy a Hydrasynth Desktop (or a minilogue xd) and the TR8S.

[@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

Hi, Gabe, I am looking for a keyboard synth that has a sequencer. Number of voices and features beside, that’s all I’m looking for. Any suggestions, please?

[@tinykarpo80s]

i want to play and make music like molchat doma soviet post punk , what is the synth i should buy?

[@mattcero1]

Ok, I'm wondering when Gabe will review the MiniFreak?! I don't buy anything without getting his opinion,,,,,hint hint,,,cough, hint.

[@GabeMillerMusic]

I appreciate the trust in my opinion, and I have been severely tempted, but I don't use my outboard synths enough (I mostly like staying in the groovebox world) to justify pulling the trigger. Maybe in the future though!

[@andrewchapman2024]

I'm still confused. I want to get a synth but it is so complex and confusing to me. That is why I typically steer clear from the synthesizers. There is one synthesizer that caught my attention but I'm still unsure weather I should get it or not. The synthesizer I'm thinking of is the "Korg MicroKORG Synthesizer/Vocoder". Can someone please help me out here?

[@schautamatic]

Too late! When I saw a microfreak at a Music Go Round store in Duluth MN 18 months ago, I snagged it (for $250). Not exactly sorry about that! 😄😄

[@bullet1218]

Great video and content...💯👍

[@braydenpeoples5809]

Question about the Novation Circuit Tracks: are you able to play a part on an external synth that I want to be sequenced by the Circuit? Or do we have to enter the sequence on the CT first? Thanks!

[@yavamaystudio8045]

Roland SH 201 like first synth 👍

[@JeffHendricks]

Is nobody going to mention the speedcube? Gabe, do you compete at all? Would be cool.

[@GabeMillerMusic]

Tbh I just use it as a prop for videos because I like the clean color pallette, I haven't actually learned to solve it yet. One of these days...

[@JeffHendricks]

@@GabeMillerMusic Never too late! I just picked it up in my 40's. You could do it... it's quite the party trick.

[@GeorgeLocke]

One thing to think about if you're building a DAWless setup, a synth will generally provide one layer in a track. Do you want to devote all that desk space to one, relatively limited tool?

[@colourbasscolourbassweapon2135]

ngl temperatuer does affect my moog grandmother but it's does matter Because pitch is easy to tune and it's not that bad tbh

[@sponkerdahooman]

Iron ring reveal?

[@leewightman8619]

My first synth wasn't even an actual synth it was a rompler but it had filter mod and other stuff so it was kinda synthy but not a true synth

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

MiniNova was My first synth, Now I might be buying the Yamaha Montage 7, such a great machine. It's used £2300.

[@davidbrockett8938]

Beyond price. Buying Cheap will get Cheap. If you’re buying for some kid and not sure how dedicated they are ask questions. If they give actual informed answers you don’t need to buy top of the line but don’t buy bottom of the barrel. If a kid is even slightly dedicated buying junk will more than likely discourage them. If you’re buying for yourself buy the best you can. Again cheap will get cheap and you won’t like it. A great quality instrument might be a bit more complicated to learn as far as function’s but once you get beyond that you’ll be satisfied. If you give up you bought for you with your money so no harm no foul to anyone else. Sell it.

[@henryalfaro9125]

Just get the korg wavestate!

[@EnochDark]

must be nice to have that drop 8 hundo on a FIRST synth money...

[@GabeMillerMusic]

Yeah I tried to stick to budget options for that reason. The Wavestate looks dope but people dipping their toes into this world probably can't/won't drop that much on their first go.

[@henryalfaro9125]

@@GabeMillerMusic you are correct!! So get the korg volca Drum.

[@philxdev]

@@EnochDark it all depends on perspective. I have seen some kiddos who did get into synths with these atrocious little mini-synths (not talking about the synths mentioned in the video) for a couple of hundred and they had a really really bad time. at some point there might come the realization that all those glorious youtube product placements are not showing you the "real deal" and you are left with a one-trick pony that is hard to use, has no built-in effects, and does not do anything noteworthy on its own, at least not in the context of making music... it does not necessarily mean you have to spend a big amount of money but you have to take a look at what makes sense and what can offer you enough versatility and playability for the money and not become obsolete once you get your hands on "better"/ more expensive gear. Trying to get your hands on a good "keyboard" with at least 49keys (used keyboards with midi or dedicated midi controllers), a small audio interface, and a cheap or free DAW, with some free VSTs will open up your world enough musically to be able to determine at some point what else you would want out of hardware, and you can then gradually ad to your collection whatever sounds or workflows you want (hardware or software). Going cheap can just bite you in the ass and I am not particularly talking about the synths mentioned in this video... But there are so many little synths that look so good in a video but will offer almost nothing on their own.

[@EnochDark]

@@philxdev I guess but that didn't stop me from playing my cheap guitars...

[@MsCellobass]

I think going modular is stupid. Sorry, that’s my opinion.

[@samyar]

Why is there not a list for intermediate players or God forbid anything higher.? Ofcourse the argument would be that, the advanced players would know themselves what to choose. Somewhat valid!..However I suspect, upon making such a list, the video creator would come to an ironic realization.

[@GabeMillerMusic]

Funny enough, I did actually take a stab at making exactly that, with a focus not on how the synths work, but instead how they might fit into someone's workflow. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKGXhYWBZrekd80

[@thejollyjoker187]

Too many details/options left out.

[@jimabbey9544]

The Minilogue XD has more bang for the buck,over many of these!

[@vincebu6441]

Ill buy that for a dollar :). Korg minilogue xd all day long :)