What makes an analog synth sound analog? Part 1

Here is a video series that helps you focus on that which gives you analog tone irrespective of your synthesizer type.
This first video defines some terms and aspects.
This video was funded by the Patreon supporters of Automatic Gainsay. Support the creation of this video and all of the Automatic Gainsay videos that have helped you by becoming an Automatic Gainsay supporter on Patreon!
/ automaticgainsay
If you are interested in learning about the history of synthesizers and/or how to become a synthesist being taught by a synthesist and synthesizer historian, check out the OTHER Automatic Gainsay Patreon:
/ automaticgainsaythewav...

[@darwiniandude]

Love your videos. Polyphony is nuanced. Paraphony is nuanced. Analog is nuanced :) - Looking forward to part II!

[@LoveinScarcity]

I come for the premium content but I stay to hear you trash on that Juno106 unison sound.

[@automaticgainsay]

Ha ha, welcome fine person that I have proof has watched my content. :D

[@SpikesStudio3]

Hilarious. All released together. Lets go then....

[@InFamousProductions]

I want to add to this vid. I have 2 DSI machines. The Pro 2 and Tempest. Both for over 10 +years. What I have found is that Dave never put anything on a platter ready to go. You MUST work for it. The point of extreme flexibility, is starting with a blank slate. Ya, the presets are good, but I use randomizer software for both that takes these machines to different galaxies of complexity that a mortal would never imagine when creating patches . There are a 100 million plus possibilities in these machines. I have a large patch library of both and I will put them out as free soon to be enjoyed by all DSI lovers. It’s really a metaphysical journey to do this. When you study the patches that were created by the hand of god, you hear and see possibilities that have never been considered. I think Dave Smith didn’t know the possibilities he created. Lately all my spare time is with the Tempest. It’s become my second fav of all time next to the Pro 2. It’s probably the deepest synth ever made with 6 separate synths going at once. Because that’s what it is. Mark, if you interested in getting some of my patches, let me know.

[@SpikesStudio3]

Hey bro. I see where you are going with this. How's the old outro clip? 😉10yrs ago? Ive always enjoyed your honed perspective on these matters. Looking forward to the next instalment. 👍

[@WhoDaresWins-wo1qt]

I absolutely love that fat slow phase sound of two analog oscillators beating slowly together. Especially on a Prophet 10

[@InFamousProductions]

Great to see you back at it. You’re the GOAT. And I love when you break out the Pro 2. I’ll NEVER sell mine.

[@automaticgainsay]

Hey, thank you! I appreciate it! Yes, I will die with my Pro 2. It is one of the best synths of all time.

[@gnarlysoundscapes7210]

To me the biggest factor is whether the controls are digital or analog. With digital controls, such as the Korg Monologue, if you're doing really subtle tweaking you can hear the stepping from one digital value to the next. It's high enough resolution that you don't normally notice it, but I really like to do those delicate high-resonance filter sweeps and Monologue's digital controls make the whole thing sound digital even though the sound engine is analog. On a polysynth there's not much you can do about that since the controls kind of have to be digital, but on a monosynth I think it's well worth giving up patch memory to have analog controls.

[@Whistler-007]

Hydrasynth addresses this by using NRPN 14 bit controls. Hopefully MIDI2 when eventually adopted will do away with 7bit controls. At least with the next generation of synths.

[@automaticgainsay]

This has a lot to do with preset synths. With truly analog synths without the digital controls necessary for digital patch storage, the controls have the infinite analog range, where there is no stepping. Of course, at the expense of presets!

[@MatthewFolstad]

Nice choice to start the series out. Dave’s best mono synth.

[@natjes6017]

Long time no see! ❤

[@davidlovering6033]

Well done Marc.

[@automaticgainsay]

Thank you, sir! A friend of mine showed me some video of your recent gig In Minneapolis… fantastic!

[@Claude_van]

The best sounding analog synth of the last 20 years is the GS E7.👍🏿

[@sansmojo]

It's similar to how so much music is pitch corrected these days. It has to be "perfect" and loses so much as a result.

[@automaticgainsay]

It’s so depressingly true!

[@DIYTAO]

@@automaticgainsay On the other hand.. Many of these now desired analogue-like imperfections and hassles were exactly the things many musicians tried to avoid at that time. Oscillator instability, voices beating etc. It's been extremely educating to listen old era sound designers like @anthonymarinellimusic describing the tricks they used with synths like ARP2600.

[@Seeyouinheaven2300]

What makes Virtual Analog sound analog? Like a Korg Radias?

[@automaticgainsay]

A lot of times, it doesn't. People mistake simple synth functions as "sounding analog," I think.

[@kierenmoore3236]

Nord Lead, AN1x, even MS2000(B) … all pretty A sounding VAs, especially for their time … !

[@DJ_Cthulhu]

Are your ears analog or digital 😎👽🤖😸

[@automaticgainsay]

Mechanical right up to the output of the cochlea.

[@Seeyouinheaven2300]

Do not believe this guy. Marc is like 50% on. not 100% on.