Synthesizer plugins can be overwhelming with all their features, knobs, dials, etc. But, if you take a few steps, you can calm the overwhelm and make great sounds. Here’s my method.
- Start with presets.
Presets are a great way to learn a synth’s capabilities. I often use a preset that gets close to the sound I am looking for, then modify only a few aspects of the synth to shape it into what I want. Then I can save the preset as my own preset and use it over and over. - Zero it out.
I often “zero out” a synth first before using it. By “zero out,” I mean setting every control to its default setting. Good synths will have this button somewhere or a preset dedicated to a zero state. Some have only simple presets or templates instead, and that’s alright also. By zeroing it out, I can then tweak only a few items on the synth to learn what they do, often starting with a simple saw wave or other basic setting and then adding to it by turning knobs to learn what each knob does. - Reduce the scope.
Reducing the number of items in my focus on a synth helps me avoid being overwhelmed by the sheer number of knobs, switches, and dials staring back at me. I don’t need to change all of them – only the few that get me what I need. - Be action-oriented.
It sounds weird, but just thinking “I don’t need to know how it works or what each item does,” really helps when dealing with a synth. I say it over and over to myself. It puts me in a state where I take action, make the changes, and run experiments on synths I need to learn, and this is crucial for moving forward. I heard Tony Robbins say once, “You don’t need to know how electricity works in order to ‘get the light,’ (flip on/off the light switch)” and this is so true and can be applied here. And, if I want to learn more, I can always get training or, God forbid, actually read the manual. - Read the manual.
I am guilty of never reading manuals, but recently I’ve started reading them. What a game-changer this has been for me. Seriously. I’ve learned so many things that I never would have otherwise. And, if I absolutely cannot stand reading at the moment, I’ll watch a video. Dan Worrall had a video on Tokyo Dawn Labs’ equalizers that showed hidden features I would never have learned even if I’d read the manual. So videos can be another valuable way of “reading the manual.”
Bonus: These things listed above don’t just work on synths – they work on almost everything. 😉
Here’s a handy guide for getting involved with synths in general and the MiniFreak in particular:
