Hope this video is helpful! Took a bit of a risk with making it, but I feel like it was needed! ☁ Loopcloud (Save 30% with VENUS30) ► bit.ly/3iSVWR2 My New Collection ► bit.ly/3DyFRcY
I agree! Info for beginners is rarely this methodical or informative. Manufacturers these days seem to assume a level of background knowledge that can only come from years of experience, or from intelligent tutorials like this one. More company's should be hiring you to do their "Getting Started" tutorials!
You're a good teacher. Doing an "advanced" version of this video would be a great idea! A couple ideas for things to add when you make your advanced video: 1. Ideas for patch management like sysex dumps, photos of knob settings, hardware integration plugins, etc. 2. What to do if you have duplicate notes going to the synth during recording (disable local control on the synth, or disabling midi monitoring) If I think of any more, I'll drop them here.
This is a super timely (and well-made!) video. I've just set up a little hardware corner and have all the audio patched via a patchbay, which I'm super happy with. No MIDI yet, though...that's the next step. Question about FX: you mention that the recording went through the MS70...but how did you capture that in the MIDI track? Or did you use it as an external send in bitwig?
Just wanted to say that this is a prettry useful introduction, too, for someone coming at this from the opposite direction - years of working with hardware synths and multitracks (and a collection of over 70 various bits of synth hardware), and a relative newcomer to the world of the DAW.
Great stuff. Personally, I could use a whole video just on cc automation. It just doesn't sink (sync?) in with me so I end up trying to do too much "live" while recording. And yes, I'd like more videos like this! Thanks!
Just got Arturia V Collection a 2 year old dream, learning the Arturia EFX FRAGMENTS (and Pigments end of last year) sooo only hardware considering is Arturia Keylab for ekstra keys... Great video and you're presets got lots of hearts on mentioned software...
I used to put the patch sysex data in the tracks I was working on. That way if the patch ever got blown away I had a backup of it. I also realized I just aged myself 🙃
Hell yeah I'd love a deep dive ep2 into midi Side note (haha) a lot of daws offer a midi function list or a 'learning' function to minimise manual digging
First of all, I’ve learned so much about advancing my engineering and audio knowledge from you so THANK YOU for being upfront, concise, and simply a cool guy. Secondly, as a voice actor I can’t help but say (as I’m sure a million others have) that your voice is SO deep and resonant and perfect for these kind of explainer videos. Cheers!
Nice work, as always, Captain Cameron! A nerdy little point about balanced vs. unbalanced: a balanced connection (using TRS plugs) is only helpful if BOTH devices (the synth and the audio interface) have balanced connections. If only one of them is balanced, though, your connection will be unbalanced, even if you use a TRS cable. As you said it usually doesn't matter anyway, unless you're using really long cables, or you're in an environment where there's a lot of line hum.
I don't know much about hardware synths... TIL that you can record both the audio and midi at the same time and that kind of blew my mind as it never occurred to me. Nice job!
I think, this is very important video for everyone; we live in very interesting times today; times, when everyone thinks he knows everything, and at the end of the day even the gurus find themselves uncertain when they are asked to explain such a basic concept like cabling. So, thank you, thank you and thank you again for making this video ! I'm sure this will help a lot of people, not only the absolute beginners, but the intermediate users as well, and in some cases even the pros. :-)
Thank you for this video. Especially the tips on recording and preparing tracks that will loop. I'm working up the nerve to spend a silly amount on a Hydrasynth Deluxe. It's rather big for a first synth, but I wanted something deep and powerful yet easy to navigate that doubles as a more expressive yet still very familiar midi controller. Something fun to just play around with on its own. I like the little touches like the front panel headphone ports too. And if you've seen their latest video even the single hydrasynth engine models can practically do a whole song with just one cleverly set up patch, so I can only imagine the patches possible with the Deluxe before even getting to doing anything to the audio output in a DAW.
Yeah, it's weird, I've also felt like, when I bought my synth, that I was expected to already know how to play it (Idk why, it doesn't make sense, just a feeling). Acoustic instruments didn't make me feel like that. All in all, you *learn* to play *after* you put your hands on an instrument first.
Great video. One thing I would add is that in HW instrument if you click on the propeller icon, once you have your hardware hooked up, it sends a ping to estimate the latency in the system. It then compensates for that delay when recording audio.
Hi Cameron! Would you make a video please about how to connect a Hardware Synth via USB to Bitwig Studio please, because when I found this video thinking it might help in my particular situation, it didn't because I Don't have MIDI Cables (I don't plan on purchasing any unless I relly might need to). I have tried but failed thus far in getting Bitwig to see Audio coming from my COBALT5S from Modal Electronics (featured in this video), I went through the steps to adding this synth over USB and while Bitwig can see my particular synth over USB, I don't get any sound despite the Audio Outputs being connected to the Instrument Inputs of my Arturia Minifuse 2, and turning the Direct Monitoring knob to the Right where normally I WOULD hear sound no problem in an External Instrument Track set up in my other DAW Logic Pro. I do appreciate all your efforts and in no way am I criticizing this particular video as it might be of help to some people, it just wasn't for me.
Excellent and informative vid! Maybe you can offer some guidance as I am exactly in the situation of wanting to get in to synths. In short, I'm an electric guitar blues player who is interested in learning some keys/organ sounds. The Modal 5s seems to have a lot of sounds for Floyd, Atlanta RS, Gary R, R&B and so on. I don't want to get bogged down in menus, the Modal stuff sounds very musical. I'm on the fence with the 8 opposed to the 5s regarding the learning cure and tactile use. Any words of direction would be appreciated as they sound great and I got a lot out of your presentation here, thanks.
Also worth mentioning is there are two line level standards: +4dBu? -10dBV. You need to find out what your "interface" expects. Probably the former. Lots of synths output the latter however. Sequential is one example of -10dBV. Moog on the other hand has both (Sub37 is +4dBu while Grandmother is -10). Kind of a pain actually all the line level matching you have to do. I have a bunch of synths going into a Harrison 950mx console at +4 and a bunch of other synths that go into a line level normalization bit of outboard (-10dBV in and +4dBu out). Very important to understand what your interface expects and what your devices output if you want to avoid signal output issues. Good luck.
Its can be fun to just record the audio and make samples to use in the box. It makes latency less of an issue and also introduces the concept of committing and moving forward. It also serves as a limitation which can actually push us into a different mind space for creativity. It's also great if you like working with samplers in the box. Cheers
I’ve gone the other way , I’m software only now, my synth and drum machine addiction was getting out of hand , I still have a few but I use my MPC and my Maschine way more than I did my old synths , I used to have 7 or 8 machines all linked via midi , it was a nightmare , I can use my hardware controllers to input the notes , but I can also continue to work on my music on my break at work on my laptop as it contains the soft synths I use in my music , I want to make music , not struggle with old hardware
I love music, fell in love with Kitaro worked as a roadie and FOH eng for a cover band, played Kenny Rogers and Lionel Richie for my mom i messed around with a QS7 and mashing up samples I found over the years. I love synths and love many genres…. I want to create but Im terrible at getting my stuff out there and don’t feel its all that.. lacking self-confidence Long ago I taught MIDI to someone that became a MIDI God to artists like Paula Abdul boy did I miss the boat. sorry thanks ☺️
Amazing video! Please help me, does the Arturia Micro Freak have MIDI thru USB? Or do i need an audio interface for it. I just like to record a few "doodling" with it for start, mainly on Bitwig Studio. And BTW, can't wait the next episode. 🙏
oh my god, I've been looking to purchase the Modal Cobalt 5s as my first hardware synth and this was so helpful. I'd hate to get the device without proper cords. thank you so much Cameron. I found you from the mindsets videos and can't believe how helpful your channel is.
I'd like to see a video "Sound Synthesis For The Un-Interested". In which you explain the very basics of synthesis in under three minutes. Instead of me rambling about it for too long, I'd point anyone asking me to this video. I already put some thought into it - if you're interested...
I figured out the loop point section as I worked on my own but I’m glad it’s the way other people do things, too. I always record ‘em dry also just incase.
Holy cow, being old enough to have started out years before software synth were an option, we had to figure all this shit out for ourselves 😂 learning the hard way about RX and TX settings, midi routings, soldering cables to merge signals etc. It was a ton of fun and frustrations at the same time
Nice video, people explaining things becomes rare these days, keep up the good work, just one single question, trying to get my question answered for few months now really about to call Yamaha them selfs to see what they are worth these days, so my Yamaha motif XF 7 is hooked up to FL studio, and connection is made and communication is established, if I choose a midi out plugin then I can monitor sound directly from 2 studio monitors I hooked up to my synth, so that means that a DAW always echoes midi commands back to the synth to THEN use the synth itself and it's own audio interface to produce the sound onboard instead of going through the onboard audio drivers on the motherboard of any computer ? Maybe a stupid question but really no one on this damm planet can tell me what exactly is going on when I generate midi with my Motif to then send it to the DAW wich I receive back into the synth ? Because my local control is set to off, so that means that any synth no matter what kind WILL receive the echoed commands that has been send to the DAW ?
Thank you for this video,Cam! Like always!! Question: After I record a Hardware Audio track (in BitWig) ,An issue i have is when I PLAYBACK from that Hardware Audio track that I had recorded, The playback volume is very quiet, this only happens in Bitwig and Not my other DAWS. Could this be a setting issue inside Bitwig that maybe I had overlooked from your video? Thanks,Bud!!! LOVE the channel!
This video came at the right time. I have an Iridium keyboard. Actually, I postponed connecting my synth with the DAW. Instead, I concentrated on exploring sounds for the last weeks. Now, I'll use your video to start with more technical bits. First, I'll order some cables and an audio interface supporting Stereo (I'll choose the Motu M4). Yes, and I'll really need an expression pedal.
If this is a place where there are no stupid questions, then I have one I really want to know the answer to. What is a synth? Like what makes a piece of software or equipment a synth as opposed to, say, a plugin, or a soundfont, or a DAW, or a MIDI, or an instrument? I hear all of these words being used in ways that sounds like sometimes they might by synonymous, but not always? And the answer to that question seems to be below the level where anybody thinks the answer isn't so obvious that people don't already know (which I assume is true, for everyone but me).
I think church organs count as mechanical synthesizers, if that helps. Some plug ins are effects, others create math formulas, so its another broad category. DAW is a digital studio Midi is a langauge everything in the studio speaks except for people.
Anyways happy to have your wisdom shared with us oh master of the Paul stretch 😄. I went from nothing to buying the asm hydrasynth keys, and still struggle with the whole concept of subtractive /additive synthesis and find it overwhelming trying to create 'good' sound simply because it can be so very complex.. Having stuff like this to watch at least gives the start of understanding to build on mate.. So you keep knocking these out, and I'll keep watching (I might even get to work out how the Paul stretch vst works properly.. Its a dark art!)
I’ve had keyboards and synth modules since the 80s. Now that I’m rebuilding my setup (using the same synths - lol) and am now “enjoying” the experience of connecting everything to my computer and integrating them into a daw. Good times 😜
I want a Korg Kronos so do I need a or would it be better to have an audio interface to make it sound better and just plug it into the dawg frm there? Thanks so much
Thanks for the no-geek-speak policy. I find your video extremely useful and very detailed even for absolute beginners. Do you have any synths in a module? I have a vintage korg synth in a module and would like to connect it to my midi controller keyboard and then the daw. I think this might be a cheaper option for many beginners since I checked out your cobalt and it sells for £400 ... That's a lot of money for beginners.... Anyway, really appreciate what you are doing and mainly the non assuming prior knowledge and stating there aren't any stupid questions. I did a 2year long music tech course 20years ago and the teachers used jargon all the time which kind of defeated the purpose of teaching in a school.... I think music tec people often forget how it is for absolute beginners after a few years of engaging with gear..
Most vintage (i.e. 80's, 90's or 2000's) modules have 5-pin DIN MIDI In, Out and Thru ports, but do not have USB. To connect them to your MIDI controller it's just MIDI Out from the controller to MIDI In on the module. The complication is if you also want to connect your computer to it. You can use the MIDI Thru port on the module to pass your controller MIDI signal through the module, on to the the computer to record. So MIDI Thru on the Module to MIDI In on the Computer. To play back from the computer, you may need to temporarily switch the cable from MIDI Out on the Controller to MIDI Out on the PC, so that it's sending the playback to the module. If you need to send from both, you can get MIDI multiple boxes which will take the Out signal from both the PC and Controller and combine them into a single cable for the Module's MIDI In port. If your module DOES have USB, than it's all much simpler. Just connect everything with USB cables and it all should work. You can also get a list of MIDI CC commands for your module and map those to knobs and sliders on your controller. Some controllers, like the pitch and mod wheels and volume, will probably work right away.
Thank you so much, this is an incredible video. Quick question- I'm new to hardware synths and am looking into one with a "pseudo-balanced" output, what's that and how would I connect it to my PC? Thanks! Also your floof is adorable :)
Hope this video is helpful! Took a bit of a risk with making it, but I feel like it was needed!
☁ Loopcloud (Save 30% with VENUS30) ► bit.ly/3iSVWR2
My New Collection ► bit.ly/3DyFRcY
I agree! Info for beginners is rarely this methodical or informative. Manufacturers these days seem to assume a level of background knowledge that can only come from years of experience, or from intelligent tutorials like this one. More company's should be hiring you to do their "Getting Started" tutorials!
What do you mean by took a bit of a risk? Thank you for the loop tip. I've struggled to get clean loops and wondered how people did it so easily!
'What now" is exactly what I says to myself after getting the microfreak as there's no manual, just a start up card and that's it !
Thank You so much!! I've been trying to find a video like this for days!!!
You're a good teacher. Doing an "advanced" version of this video would be a great idea! A couple ideas for things to add when you make your advanced video:
1. Ideas for patch management like sysex dumps, photos of knob settings, hardware integration plugins, etc.
2. What to do if you have duplicate notes going to the synth during recording (disable local control on the synth, or disabling midi monitoring)
If I think of any more, I'll drop them here.
16 minutes of Gold for a newbie to hardware synths..... :)
This is a super timely (and well-made!) video. I've just set up a little hardware corner and have all the audio patched via a patchbay, which I'm super happy with. No MIDI yet, though...that's the next step. Question about FX: you mention that the recording went through the MS70...but how did you capture that in the MIDI track? Or did you use it as an external send in bitwig?
Seems like hugging a dog is an important part of making a track. It should be mentioned in the synth manual: "dog required for excellent results".
This is like the exact video I have been looking for and it came at the perfect time! Nailed it! Even better that its by one of my favorite creators.
Just wanted to say that this is a prettry useful introduction, too, for someone coming at this from the opposite direction - years of working with hardware synths and multitracks (and a collection of over 70 various bits of synth hardware), and a relative newcomer to the world of the DAW.
Dude, you should have a TH-cam Join ability. This is a good video. I would have joined today.
Praise the mustache 💈
Great stuff. Personally, I could use a whole video just on cc automation. It just doesn't sink (sync?) in with me so I end up trying to do too much "live" while recording. And yes, I'd like more videos like this! Thanks!
Just got Arturia V Collection a 2 year old dream, learning the Arturia EFX FRAGMENTS (and Pigments end of last year) sooo only hardware considering is Arturia Keylab for ekstra keys... Great video and you're presets got lots of hearts on mentioned software...
@Tore Hansen I just bought a Keystep 37, different features to the other controllers, have a look at it you may be interested. 🖖👍
So you bought your first hardware synth, get ready to use it on and off for 4 months before selling it
Realest sh*t ever written. I’ve sold 3-4 so far trying to find one that’s right for me. I’m back on the iPad 😑
I used to put the patch sysex data in the tracks I was working on. That way if the patch ever got blown away I had a backup of it. I also realized I just aged myself 🙃
Best. Pup. Ever.
With hardware synths becoming increasingly popular, I think a video like this explaining the basics was a much needed thing. Awesome video!
Hell yeah I'd love a deep dive ep2 into midi
Side note (haha) a lot of daws offer a midi function list or a 'learning' function to minimise manual digging
Isn't a hardware synth actually an "old god" when it comes to electronic music?
First of all, I’ve learned so much about advancing my engineering and audio knowledge from you so THANK YOU for being upfront, concise, and simply a cool guy. Secondly, as a voice actor I can’t help but say (as I’m sure a million others have) that your voice is SO deep and resonant and perfect for these kind of explainer videos. Cheers!
Nice work, as always, Captain Cameron! A nerdy little point about balanced vs. unbalanced: a balanced connection (using TRS plugs) is only helpful if BOTH devices (the synth and the audio interface) have balanced connections. If only one of them is balanced, though, your connection will be unbalanced, even if you use a TRS cable. As you said it usually doesn't matter anyway, unless you're using really long cables, or you're in an environment where there's a lot of line hum.
I don't know much about hardware synths... TIL that you can record both the audio and midi at the same time and that kind of blew my mind as it never occurred to me. Nice job!
Same here.
I think, this is very important video for everyone; we live in very interesting times today; times, when everyone thinks he knows everything, and at the end of the day even the gurus find themselves uncertain when they are asked to explain such a basic concept like cabling. So, thank you, thank you and thank you again for making this video ! I'm sure this will help a lot of people, not only the absolute beginners, but the intermediate users as well, and in some cases even the pros. :-)
Well said, Marc. A great video that goes straight to the favourites list 👍
Great upload Cameron, as usual ;)
Hey, you learn shit everyday - more knowledge, mo power 😈🙂
You forgot the most important part about figuring out how to maximize space for all the synths and pedals you will eventually have.
Everyone is hiring Cameron to score their trailer. They need to get him to write them too XD ✌
Thank you for this video. Especially the tips on recording and preparing tracks that will loop. I'm working up the nerve to spend a silly amount on a Hydrasynth Deluxe. It's rather big for a first synth, but I wanted something deep and powerful yet easy to navigate that doubles as a more expressive yet still very familiar midi controller. Something fun to just play around with on its own. I like the little touches like the front panel headphone ports too. And if you've seen their latest video even the single hydrasynth engine models can practically do a whole song with just one cleverly set up patch, so I can only imagine the patches possible with the Deluxe before even getting to doing anything to the audio output in a DAW.
Yeah, it's weird, I've also felt like, when I bought my synth, that I was expected to already know how to play it (Idk why, it doesn't make sense, just a feeling). Acoustic instruments didn't make me feel like that. All in all, you *learn* to play *after* you put your hands on an instrument first.
Great video. One thing I would add is that in HW instrument if you click on the propeller icon, once you have your hardware hooked up, it sends a ping to estimate the latency in the system. It then compensates for that delay when recording audio.
A good man always drink saylor jerry when producing 😜
Hi Cameron! Would you make a video please about how to connect a Hardware Synth via USB to Bitwig Studio please, because when I found this video thinking it might help in my particular situation, it didn't because I Don't have MIDI Cables (I don't plan on purchasing any unless I relly might need to). I have tried but failed thus far in getting Bitwig to see Audio coming from my COBALT5S from Modal Electronics (featured in this video), I went through the steps to adding this synth over USB and while Bitwig can see my particular synth over USB, I don't get any sound despite the Audio Outputs being connected to the Instrument Inputs of my Arturia Minifuse 2, and turning the Direct Monitoring knob to the Right where normally I WOULD hear sound no problem in an External Instrument Track set up in my other DAW Logic Pro.
I do appreciate all your efforts and in no way am I criticizing this particular video as it might be of help to some people, it just wasn't for me.
Excellent, much thanks… loving those hairy forearms
Excellent and informative vid! Maybe you can offer some guidance as I am exactly in the situation of wanting to get in to synths. In short, I'm an electric guitar blues player who is interested in learning some keys/organ sounds. The Modal 5s seems to have a lot of sounds for Floyd, Atlanta RS, Gary R, R&B and so on. I don't want to get bogged down in menus, the Modal stuff sounds very musical. I'm on the fence with the 8 opposed to the 5s regarding the learning cure and tactile use. Any words of direction would be appreciated as they sound great and I got a lot out of your presentation here, thanks.
You could dub over the Ghost Recon (for the ps2) intro cutscene and I bet you 99% wouldn't notice a difference. I know I sure wouldn't.
You're the production grande professore my friend. thank you
I love how one of your ambitions is to score a movie, but from that intro it seems like you’ll be doing the tv ad narrations for them instead 😂🙌🏼
Dog clearly enjoys your expertise as well
I know of other tubers that review music but, Im not mixing metal or heavy rock maybe you could review other folks creations
Super helpful! Thanks Cameron :)
Dumb question but which daw is this I want to find a good one mainly for making synth shit with analog gear. .
Need to learn CC mapping, I have an UNO synth with a bad knob and would love to set up sn external control so I can use it again.
Also worth mentioning is there are two line level standards: +4dBu? -10dBV. You need to find out what your "interface" expects. Probably the former. Lots of synths output the latter however. Sequential is one example of -10dBV. Moog on the other hand has both (Sub37 is +4dBu while Grandmother is -10). Kind of a pain actually all the line level matching you have to do. I have a bunch of synths going into a Harrison 950mx console at +4 and a bunch of other synths that go into a line level normalization bit of outboard (-10dBV in and +4dBu out). Very important to understand what your interface expects and what your devices output if you want to avoid signal output issues. Good luck.
Looking for how to actually use that little plastic clip at the back called a cable strain protector.
It'd be so cool if any given configuration spits out a number, which you can then input to get the patch again.
Are speskers needed or can I just use the audio interface?
Does anyone else have a microfreak that the screen cuts all the way out and stops working sometimes ?
04:59 Sweet custom silver sheathing...
Its can be fun to just record the audio and make samples to use in the box. It makes latency less of an issue and also introduces the concept of committing and moving forward. It also serves as a limitation which can actually push us into a different mind space for creativity. It's also great if you like working with samplers in the box. Cheers
vc
I’ve gone the other way , I’m software only now, my synth and drum machine addiction was getting out of hand , I still have a few but I use my MPC and my Maschine way more than I did my old synths , I used to have 7 or 8 machines all linked via midi , it was a nightmare , I can use my hardware controllers to input the notes , but I can also continue to work on my music on my break at work on my laptop as it contains the soft synths I use in my music , I want to make music , not struggle with old hardware
Thanks for Tutorial as always! It's so helpful 😎👍
I gave you a like just because you use takumar lenes ...
under "Gear I Use" there's no mention of what kind of rum that is
Everyone buys their first hardware synth the same way, at a garage sale when they are 9
The answer to the title - is buy another.... one more is always the answer.
Sounds like Kurt loader 😂
I love music, fell in love with Kitaro worked as a roadie and FOH eng for a cover band, played Kenny Rogers and Lionel Richie for my mom
i messed around with a QS7 and mashing up samples I found over the years. I love synths and love many genres…. I want to create but Im terrible at getting my stuff out there and don’t feel its all that.. lacking self-confidence
Long ago I taught MIDI to someone that became a MIDI God to artists like Paula Abdul boy did I miss the boat. sorry thanks ☺️
Is Korg Kronos a good hardware stnth
Great video
Fills in some gaps
Amazing video! Please help me, does the Arturia Micro Freak have MIDI thru USB? Or do i need an audio interface for it. I just like to record a few "doodling" with it for start, mainly on Bitwig Studio. And BTW, can't wait the next episode. 🙏
An archeological great reminder, tutorial for folks who have never used a hardware synth 👍🎩🙏🏿🙏👏🦄
oh my god, I've been looking to purchase the Modal Cobalt 5s as my first hardware synth and this was so helpful. I'd hate to get the device without proper cords. thank you so much Cameron. I found you from the mindsets videos and can't believe how helpful your channel is.
I'd like to see a video "Sound Synthesis For The Un-Interested". In which you explain the very basics of synthesis in under three minutes. Instead of me rambling about it for too long, I'd point anyone asking me to this video.
I already put some thought into it - if you're interested...
I figured out the loop point section as I worked on my own but I’m glad it’s the way other people do things, too. I always record ‘em dry also just incase.
I see a pupper I press like 🐶
Already subscribed but would do it again.
+150% to coziness of the video
Any chance on a video on on how to link multiple effects and synths together in your workstation?
Holy cow, being old enough to have started out years before software synth were an option, we had to figure all this shit out for ourselves 😂 learning the hard way about RX and TX settings, midi routings, soldering cables to merge signals etc. It was a ton of fun and frustrations at the same time
I like the voice, and the whole creation, funny was the cheers a sip for a break, the video is helpful to me as a beginner
Nice video, people explaining things becomes rare these days, keep up the good work, just one single question, trying to get my question answered for few months now really about to call Yamaha them selfs to see what they are worth these days, so my Yamaha motif XF 7 is hooked up to FL studio, and connection is made and communication is established, if I choose a midi out plugin then I can monitor sound directly from 2 studio monitors I hooked up to my synth, so that means that a DAW always echoes midi commands back to the synth to THEN use the synth itself and it's own audio interface to produce the sound onboard instead of going through the onboard audio drivers on the motherboard of any computer ? Maybe a stupid question but really no one on this damm planet can tell me what exactly is going on when I generate midi with my Motif to then send it to the DAW wich I receive back into the synth ? Because my local control is set to off, so that means that any synth no matter what kind WILL receive the echoed commands that has been send to the DAW ?
Thank you very much!
I'm too poor for this one. I have to live vicariously through other hardware synth-owners.
Thank you for this. Agreed, there are no stupid questions, just stupid answers
The second half about the midi data and how to record things is a valuable piece of information for beginners!
How is it that your explanations are clear, concise, and easy to understand????? Love your presentation.
I had relatively severe latency. And some static along with my tones. Casio to old version cubase. Perhaps I will push on. This helped a little.
Thank you for this video,Cam! Like always!! Question: After I record a Hardware Audio track (in BitWig) ,An issue i have is when I PLAYBACK from that Hardware Audio track that I had recorded, The playback volume is very quiet, this only happens in Bitwig and Not my other DAWS. Could this be a setting issue inside Bitwig that maybe I had overlooked from your video? Thanks,Bud!!! LOVE the channel!
Thanks Cam. Yet another extremely useful and informative video.
Been messing with hardware synths (budget ones) for a while now, and this WAS helpful. Thankyou.
This video came at the right time. I have an Iridium keyboard. Actually, I postponed connecting my synth with the DAW. Instead, I concentrated on exploring sounds for the last weeks. Now, I'll use your video to start with more technical bits. First, I'll order some cables and an audio interface supporting Stereo (I'll choose the Motu M4). Yes, and I'll really need an expression pedal.
If this is a place where there are no stupid questions, then I have one I really want to know the answer to. What is a synth? Like what makes a piece of software or equipment a synth as opposed to, say, a plugin, or a soundfont, or a DAW, or a MIDI, or an instrument? I hear all of these words being used in ways that sounds like sometimes they might by synonymous, but not always? And the answer to that question seems to be below the level where anybody thinks the answer isn't so obvious that people don't already know (which I assume is true, for everyone but me).
I think church organs count as mechanical synthesizers, if that helps. Some plug ins are effects, others create math formulas, so its another broad category.
DAW is a digital studio
Midi is a langauge everything in the studio speaks except for people.
This video fills a gap and is useful to me, kudos for explaining what setting in buffer size is good for what at 7:32.
Keep up the good work.
Yes, basics please 👍😁
My god this intro hahaha
Thanks Cameron - another great video, especially as I’m thinking of getting into hardware synths!!
Anyways happy to have your wisdom shared with us oh master of the Paul stretch 😄. I went from nothing to buying the asm hydrasynth keys, and still struggle with the whole concept of subtractive /additive synthesis and find it overwhelming trying to create 'good' sound simply because it can be so very complex.. Having stuff like this to watch at least gives the start of understanding to build on mate.. So you keep knocking these out, and I'll keep watching (I might even get to work out how the Paul stretch vst works properly.. Its a dark art!)
Love ur channel and videos great tutorials!!
A very nice and concise primer, especially for those less tech-savvy.
this is the best channel in the history of TH-cam.
I've had synths before and still enjoyed this video and clarified a few things. Thanks Cameron!
Damn his Voice ..
When running a stereo left and right from synth to mixer, do you pan the mixer inputs hard left and right?
Yes
Morning whiskey with Cameron
So much pain
How did you know?
🙏
more, please.
This will help a lot of people. Nicely done.
Fantastic to see you do this kind of basic overview.
I’ve had keyboards and synth modules since the 80s. Now that I’m rebuilding my setup (using the same synths - lol) and am now “enjoying” the experience of connecting everything to my computer and integrating them into a daw. Good times 😜
I want a Korg Kronos so do I need a or would it be better to have an audio interface to make it sound better and just plug it into the dawg frm there? Thanks so much
Beautiful!
Thanks!
Pretty complicated 🙃
Thanks for the no-geek-speak policy. I find your video extremely useful and very detailed even for absolute beginners. Do you have any synths in a module? I have a vintage korg synth in a module and would like to connect it to my midi controller keyboard and then the daw. I think this might be a cheaper option for many beginners since I checked out your cobalt and it sells for £400 ... That's a lot of money for beginners.... Anyway, really appreciate what you are doing and mainly the non assuming prior knowledge and stating there aren't any stupid questions. I did a 2year long music tech course 20years ago and the teachers used jargon all the time which kind of defeated the purpose of teaching in a school.... I think music tec people often forget how it is for absolute beginners after a few years of engaging with gear..
Most vintage (i.e. 80's, 90's or 2000's) modules have 5-pin DIN MIDI In, Out and Thru ports, but do not have USB. To connect them to your MIDI controller it's just MIDI Out from the controller to MIDI In on the module. The complication is if you also want to connect your computer to it. You can use the MIDI Thru port on the module to pass your controller MIDI signal through the module, on to the the computer to record. So MIDI Thru on the Module to MIDI In on the Computer. To play back from the computer, you may need to temporarily switch the cable from MIDI Out on the Controller to MIDI Out on the PC, so that it's sending the playback to the module. If you need to send from both, you can get MIDI multiple boxes which will take the Out signal from both the PC and Controller and combine them into a single cable for the Module's MIDI In port.
If your module DOES have USB, than it's all much simpler. Just connect everything with USB cables and it all should work. You can also get a list of MIDI CC commands for your module and map those to knobs and sliders on your controller. Some controllers, like the pitch and mod wheels and volume, will probably work right away.
Thank you so much, this is an incredible video. Quick question- I'm new to hardware synths and am looking into one with a "pseudo-balanced" output, what's that and how would I connect it to my PC? Thanks!
Also your floof is adorable :)
While there are technical differences, for the layman you can treat it exactly the same as a balanced output and simply use a TRS cable.
@@bwn2k532 thank you :)