Questions tagged [synthesizer]

For questions about electronic keyboards and other synthesizing instruments and equipment.

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What is this funky "window cleaning" sound referred to as? [closed]

Example of it in the opening of Persona 4 Dancing All Night's Opening https://www.youtube.com/embed/ddXM6HX1PgU?start=30&end=45 (from 0:30 to 0:45) Another somewhat example might be the Goron City ...
chausies's user avatar
  • 345
4 votes
3 answers
444 views

What features are lost when using connected digital piano instead directly synthesizer?

Newbie here, so I may use incorrect terms. From what I've learned you can connect digital piano like, Kawai ES 120 or Korg D1, to a synthesizer like ASM Hydrasynth -- then play on DP using full 88-...
greenoldman's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
596 views

How to identify the optimal SoundFont for a MIDI file?

When I come across a .mid file without any additional details, is there really no efficient way to determine the SoundFont with which it was created with/intended to be heard with? For example any ...
Rob Kam's user avatar
  • 259
3 votes
1 answer
169 views

What kind of software do I need to make general MIDI playback on my computer sound better?

[No, I'm not asking for a specific recommendation.] I'm writing some web-based software that uses the WebMidi API to output MIDI events which, somehow (sound card MIDI module?) turn into sound. It ...
Steve Bennett's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
145 views

Connect keyboard and synthesizer via MIDI Thru

I have an old synthesizer with the five-pin MIDI In, Out, Thru connections. I also have a keyboard with only one USB MIDI port. How can I connect both to my audio interface (has MIDI In and Out) via ...
spacekitchenexperience's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
81 views

Wireless Connection for Vortex and MicroFreak

I'm looking for a simple way to connect a keytar (Alesis Vortex) to a synth (Arturia MicroFreak) through wireless midi. My first hope is that since the Vortex comes with a USB-A dongle I can use a ...
Exandrius Grey's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
352 views

Electric Piano/Synthesizer that Can Play Two Instruments

I am in an office band and have to be able to play two different instruments. We are currently in a rehearsal studio that has an 88-key on the bottom and a synthesizer on top. For example, on "...
L2010's user avatar
  • 41
3 votes
0 answers
122 views

How do I use a Roland J-6 as a MIDI input device on a Roland MC-707?

I'm embarrassingly clueless about this kind of thing but generally try to work things out independently. I've hit a brick wall here though. I have a Roland J-6 and a Roland MC-707. I'd like to use the ...
bbg24's user avatar
  • 31
0 votes
0 answers
59 views

Roland Jupiter 80 undo changes to registration/live set/tone

If I make changes to a registration X on my Roland Jupiter 80 synthesizer, for instance by changing the upper live set, how do I go back to the saved version of the registration? As it is now, the ...
Adam.at.Epsilon's user avatar
3 votes
4 answers
385 views

How do you subtractively synthesize a tanpura drone and its timbre?

How do I subtractively synthesize a tanpura drone and its timbre? The tanpura has 4 strings (Basic notes of Tanpura). The first is tuned to a fifth or some other note, the next two are tuned in unison ...
empty's user avatar
  • 12.2k
2 votes
0 answers
102 views

What types of audio envelopes are there?

I was working with some SNES music and noticed references to ADSR envelopes used for their instruments, however it's not ADSR at all since there is no release when a note ends. (There's no sustain for ...
Chris's user avatar
  • 133
0 votes
1 answer
70 views

21st Century Electronic Keyboard Techniques

For a while now there have been electronic musical keyboard controllers (the most recent one is Osmose) that feature pressure sensing and side-to-side sensing in addition to velocity sensing. There ...
Brian THOMAS's user avatar
  • 11.5k
0 votes
1 answer
210 views

How does Ed O'Brien (Radiohead) get his guitar to sound like a synth?

Ed O'Brien frequently plays parts on his guitar that sound like a synth, despite not having a synth in his signal path. I know that he's used an E-bow in the past and that he uses a sustainer guitar ...
empty's user avatar
  • 12.2k
4 votes
2 answers
118 views

Is there a way to find the pitch for noisy electronic output? [closed]

Is there a method available to help differentiate notes on a wide variety of electronic noise sounds (not-quite white/pink noise, heavy buzzing, fuzz, etc.)? I've taken on an odd project where I am ...
Mark Ormston's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
145 views

Advice for playing smoothly on mini synth keys

I am struggling to play scales/runs at a smooth volume on my new mini synth, a Yamaha Reface CP. That I get accidentally loud notes mixed in, that really get into the harsh loud part of the sample and ...
Andrew Wagner's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
134 views

How can I achieve this electronic 'growl' sound?

My primary example is Scream by Bignic, where the sound I'm talking about is used for the lead (begins 40 seconds in).
JS Cole's user avatar
  • 21
2 votes
1 answer
348 views

Reverse Engineering Arturia Microfreak Presets

Is there any way to see the oscillator, filter, and envelope settings on a given MicroFreak preset? Preferably dumped to a text file? I want to improve my sound design skills.
empty's user avatar
  • 12.2k
1 vote
1 answer
370 views

Use TuxGuitars as VST

This is certainly an odd request, but I grew up learning guitar with tuxguitar. I am used to "synthetic" guitars sounding like crap, in particular, like TuxGuitars synths. Can I get them out ...
Sebastian's user avatar
  • 313
1 vote
0 answers
82 views

How was that synth sound made? [closed]

I'm trying to recreate a sound with a virtual synth (Massive, but it could be another one) and can't get quite the same. Could anyone give me any hint on what kind of sounds are used in that sample ? ...
pokpokpok's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
122 views

Recording a synth using PulseAudio

I followed the advice for using PulseAudio to solve this problem. I have worked with a couple of Linux software synthesizers like Amsynth, ZynAddSubFX, and Yoshimi and they are really capable ...
Justin Pierce's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
167 views

Phase of synced oscillators in analog synthesizers

Most explanations of oscillator (hard) sync in synthesizers focus on the theoretical idea of retriggering the oscillator (using simple diagrams), or on the frequency spectrum of the resulting waveform....
user85294's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
126 views

How to achieve "Burn Rubber on Me" synth bass effect?

At the beginning, the bass imitates tire scratching with very quick short percussive sound and a slide. Is this kind of effect often done by quickly press keys with one hand or by alternating hands? ...
dz902's user avatar
  • 183
0 votes
1 answer
222 views

Can I get my Microkorg sound (patch) on my digital piano?

I have a Korg Microkorg synth which is a really fun synthesizer for a beginner like me. I like making patches (tones) and exploring the different possibilites. However, it's a bit annoying to use ...
C. Crt's user avatar
  • 125
-2 votes
4 answers
385 views

Can software render music as well as a skilled human with a physical instrument and a microphone?

From a comment on Hacker News: [...] physical playing has been replaced by software quite a while ago. [...] almost nobody can distinguish a computer rendering from the real thing on a recording. ...
MWB's user avatar
  • 304
1 vote
2 answers
137 views

Using Synthesis to Create Original Sounds

Many videos I've watched on synthesis aim at emulating physical instrument sounds (or sometimes physical sound effects), with the pursuit of realism as a guiding principle. At first, this struck me ...
user79989's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
304 views

How do you process instrument samples to make convincing sustain phase loops for sample-based synthesis?

I'm interested in coding up something like a crude sampler (instrument). From what I've read, you can put samples of real audio into a sampler and pitch-shift them for different notes. I want samples ...
BatWannaBe's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
110 views

How to visualize waveforms generated by BOSS SY-300 guitar synth on Windows 10?

I'm crafting new tones on the BOSS SY-300 guitar synth and visualizing the waveforms would help a lot. If I run an EHX Superego into the SY-300 for infinite sustain, is there a way that I can run an ...
empty's user avatar
  • 12.2k
4 votes
1 answer
163 views

How to enter ADSR envelope on BOSS SY-300

I'm trying to program a simple Attack Delay Sustain Release (ADSR) envelope on my BOSS SY-300 guitar synthesizer but the menus are way confusing and the documentation almost non-existent. What I ...
empty's user avatar
  • 12.2k
5 votes
1 answer
196 views

Can I configure a software synth to use multiple patches on a channel?

I am writing music for organ in LilyPond and listening to it via the LilyPond MIDI output through Qsynth/FluidSynth. I've been using Fluid_R3, but it only has a very generic (and not very convincing) &...
chrylis -cautiouslyoptimistic-'s user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
64 views

Synthesizer suggestions? [closed]

I'm looking for an analog polyphonic synthesizer. I'm really torn between the Moog Matriarch and the David Smith Prophet Rev2. I've not owned a synth before and really want to branch into that world. ...
theorema.aureum's user avatar
6 votes
4 answers
784 views

Why are there so many models of digital synthesizers? [closed]

I am looking for a good digital synthesizer but I am getting lost with all the choices available. However the more I learn about how a synthesizer work I don't get what is the difference between one ...
Alexis Pister's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
26 views

Duplicate Sounds

I connected my Casio keyboard to an interface (vault ai22) (1/4" cables) and I also use stero headphones connected to the audio interface.i also connected the Casio USB out put to my laptop. Now ...
Rekka's user avatar
  • 11
6 votes
1 answer
139 views

Song-specific temperament [duplicate]

So equal temperament is a compromise to allow songs to be played without without having to retune them on the fly, to match the more consonant sounding just intonation intervals. However, in a world ...
matero's user avatar
  • 61
9 votes
2 answers
654 views

Types of synths used in modern guitar-based music

I have a solo project where I write rock/metal, and I am interested in adding synths to my music in order to expand the sonic possibilities, add more interesting textures, make the tracks sound bigger ...
Vegard's user avatar
  • 165
0 votes
0 answers
34 views

Korg Ms2000B backlighting screen

I have a Korg MS2000b WHICH I HAVEN'T USE IT for than 8 years.This morning I powered it on with a 15v.It turn on.I turned it off.And after one hour I turn it on again and the screen is backlighting ...
user73415's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
127 views

For electronic music production, are there any differences between using small synths vs big synths?

This is a newbie question by someone who is just learning to play piano. On YouTube there are some talented musicians that play and remake famous electronic music riffs and tunes. One group uses very ...
Behrang Saeedzadeh's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
499 views

Roland Juno ds sound quality for recording

I would like to ask what is the sample rate and bit resolution sound quality supported by the Roland Juno Ds61 keyboard? Also I would like to know, what would be the difference if I use the midi cable ...
Sergio Slzr's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
207 views

How can I transform a MIDI file of a vocal performance back into something that sounds like a voice? [closed]

Given a MIDI file how can I transform it something that sounds like the vocal cadences on the wikipedia.org/wiki/Candence entry? I understand that the end result will be an audio file and not a MIDI ...
Ana Maria's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
282 views

Is there a specific synth name/DAW plugin for a sort of 70s jazz flute chorus?

There's a sound I hear in some modern alternative music that has such emotive nostalgic properties. It sounds like a flute chorus I've heard in 70s Japanese Jazz and elsewhere. This short comedic ...
Sam Bishop's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
343 views

Syncing clock to external midi with iPad

I am trying to integrate the ModStep iPad app into my setup. I have a Moog Matriarch and a Moog Mother-32. What I would like to do is sequence the Mother-32 using the ModStep iPad app and have the ...
Steve H.'s user avatar
  • 133
3 votes
3 answers
905 views

Yamaha SY99 floppy disk drive broken. Can I use something else?

The floppy disk drive on my Yamaha SY99 has been broken for over a decade. As a result I am unable to save anything I do (new sounds or new music) and, once I turn the synth off, the data is gone. ...
Vance's user avatar
  • 33
14 votes
6 answers
4k views

Synthesizer: why playing a second time the same note shut down the first one?

When playing on synthesizers, usually when playing a second time the same note, even if the release phase is very long or the sustain pedal is pressed, the first note is shut down. Put in another way, ...
Tom's user avatar
  • 5,082
1 vote
0 answers
73 views

Computer compatible keyboard for synthesizer? Where to start?

I'm slightly familiar with stackexchange culture...so take note I am not asking for a product suggestion. My son is getting into music and I wanted to get him a keyboard that can be interfaced with a ...
boomboomtap's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
236 views

Tapping noise when using airship rising (Garage Band)

When using the following sound airship rising I hear a tapping noise, which I am sure is not part of the synth sound, at the audio peaks (I don't hear at lower volumes) and I think it's something to ...
Nikos's user avatar
  • 235
1 vote
1 answer
77 views

Identifying a musical system [closed]

Several years ago I was browsing about history of computers and old day computers, and downloaded various images, from Google, maybe from a blog or websites on older generation computers. One of ...
user avatar
11 votes
6 answers
3k views

Is it mathematically possible to create an equal temperament which matches just interval ratios?

I've coded a Python app which lets us have any number of semitones in an octave in order to experiment with microtonal music. I would like to ask if there's a possibility to create such an equal ...
ZenBerry's user avatar
  • 315
4 votes
1 answer
201 views

Volume adjustment based on frequency of played note

I'm currently in the process of implementing a basic software synthesizer. I read that some frequencies are perceived as louder, even when they have the same amplitude. This relation is described by ...
schroffl's user avatar
  • 143
2 votes
0 answers
92 views

Creating custom air raid siren sound (User Tone) on Casio CTK-611

I would like to create an air raid siren sound on the Casio CTK-611 keyboard (or a keyboard that works the same). The keyboard allows users to edit certain features of the pre-set instrument sounds to ...
A Barron's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
2k views

How to create the "wubs" in dubstep?

One of the signature sounds of dubstep is the "wub-wub-wub" sound. How do I create this sound? I'm using Reaper as my DAW but if there's a way to create the sound with subtractive synthesis on a 3 ...
empty's user avatar
  • 12.2k
2 votes
1 answer
212 views

How can my MIDI master keyboard send all MIDI messages _except_ "program change" to receiving synth modules?

I still use my trusty Yamaha AN1x synthesizer as my master keyboard for my DAW and to control other desktop synths and tone generators. For example, my AN1x currently sends MIDI to both a Waldorf ...
Phil's user avatar
  • 23