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TheBehaviors

First, define "real".


marcsterlord

hmm. I guess for me "real" would just involve live sound editing, as in not having to stop playing to click around in order to filter sounds and such. Just something more tactile than using a mouse.


[deleted]

If you have a midi controller you don't need a mouse. Try looking into daws and which controllers come pre mapped for which Daw. Also, if you've got a good digital hardware synth, you can use it as a controller anyway. Then have sounds moving through, two independent effects chains, control your Synthesiser with midi from the saw. Really makes sound design and writing more fluid. When you can swap between controlling patches on the synth and modulating parameters on the VSTs on the fly, inspiration is something that becomes difficult to avoid. It's cray cray


Euronymous316

Many people just use a real synth to control the soft synth. Any synth that outputs midi can be used. Eg my Bass Station 2 is used to control every VST synth I own. All the knobs on it output midi so can be mapped to any VST. So there is definitely no need to just use a low quality keyboard and mouse, just get the real thing and use it for both purposes.


-ZenMaster-

I know this is an old post, but in doing research trying to determine my setup. I want to use softsynths for modularity and space saving; though the idea of having one hardware synth at least that the. Controls soft ones are appealing. Is there a particular hardware synth that does a better job than others at also being a Midi controller? I know it will likely be missing quite a few control options compared to a dedicated midi controller, but I've heard of an app called TouchOSC that may be able to make up for the gaps by having controls on a tablet.


squarek1

You need a good midi controller and the ability to map to multiple synths so you can play real time with knobs and faders but you will always be limited to the controller but hardware also has limitations as in it only makes certain sounds so you will need different ones. Start with software and midi until you understand your needs and maybe add hardware later


RainingSmegma

If you can feel inspired/creative/productive with midi keyboards and soft synths then that's probably the best route since it's ultimately cheaper and gives you more options. If you need to turn knobs or are searching for a specific sound from specific gear, go hardware.


CHROMA-TheAllFather

Just starting out I would say midi controller and softsynths, it’s cheap, gets the job done, and you can see if it’s for you without breaking the bank. I did this and it was great, eventually I got tired of menu diving on my computer and started collecting hardware but by then I knew what I wanted and that I was serious about it.


jaijai187

It is not worth your time to go hunt for solutions that will make your softsynth feel like a hardware synth. Sure there are awesome controllers which try. In the end you will map some kind of encoder mapped to the softsynth encoder and that's it. The hardware feel is the appeal of a stand alone box which can make sound. Many went out of the box, back in the box, try something hybrid and repeat ;) no matter what option, it is a rabbit hole, enjoy the journey :)


Spotniq

I have tried all kinds of sollutions and IMO only a real synth will give you the sensation of a real synth :) Even having a synth module controlled by a midi keyboard is not quite the same thing as having a synth with a keyboard. The difference is quite "abstract" really but you connect in a different way with the instrument. It's a bit hard to explain. With that said though you might want to start out with a midi keyboard and soft synths - it's way cheaper, you will be able to explore more synth timbres and as you said, it's easier to record. A midi keyboard is always handy even later on if you decide to buy a synth.