How to Buy Your First Synth
A guide for a newly discovered synth addict
Electronic musical instruments offer a vast and beautiful array of sounds and features. It’s no wonder so many people have been enraptured with their contents for years.
However, due to the excessive amount of choice, it can be a bit daunting for a beginner to find their footing. Below is a 5-step system that can make buying your first synth much easier.
#1: Get Familiar With Synths
Before you start looking, you should brush up on your synth knowledge. You should be fluent in the terminology and, depending on your direction, should even be brushed up on modular, too.
Of course, the main drive behind understanding synths is knowing what you want and how it will affect your music. If you wish to have a modular setup in the future, knowing how modular works and starting with a semi-modular rig makes the most sense.
If you need a starting point, figure out the basics of almost all synths, like Oscillators, filters, and amplifiers.
#2: Decide On a Main Purpose
This is where you’ll put that newfound knowledge to good use and decide on the reason. Your purpose could be sound exploration, but for some, it could be a separate sequencer or a more expansive instrument.
When considering the purpose, you should also consider which synthesis type you want your instrument to be the primary focus of. Subtractive synthesis is commonly known as the easiest to understand, while FM synthesis is complicated even among experts.
#3: Set a Budget
With those two knocked out, it’s time to decide on a budget. If this is your first time buying a synth, I suggest something small and cheap. If you can’t decide on a specific purpose or have more than one, choosing an all-rounded instrument is your best bet.
They’re more compact with a smoother learning curve and a cheaper price. I would only advise against getting something over $300 or too big.
Although those big rigs look cool as hell, they aren’t ideal for a beginner or anyone who doesn’t have the space to truly utilize them.
#4: Explore Different Brands
This next step is entirely optional, but if you aren’t already up to date on the named synth brands, then taking a bit of time to explore could open a few doors. Of course, you don’t need to go down a rabbit hole of who does what the best, but it doesn’t hurt to have an idea of what each brand specializes in. Some household names in the game are:
- Roland
- Moog
- And Yamaha
If you’re interested in modular, then you should note the names
- Make Noise
- Intellijel
- And Tip Top Audio.
#5: Dive Into Specifics
The final step is straightforward and involves delving deeper into synth specifics such as power, casing, CPU strength, and other such factors.
If you’ve gone through all the steps above, you probably already have a good idea of what you want. This is where you want to start finalizing your decision and observing listings.
Conclusion
To review, start by learning how synths work on a basic level, then decide on a purpose for your setup.
Once you’ve identified your purpose, you can begin to explore brands for the specific kind of instrument you want in your workflow. When in doubt, remember that you can’t go wrong with a small and simple rig for your first.
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