Tweaking your synths to get to the sound you want...

[the crackhouse]

I've been an art student and so I can make drawings which are very close to what I had in mind.

Same isn't true for my synth sounds. I can have a sound in mind and never get close to it with my synths (using reason right now, Thor, Maelstrom, Subtractor).

Do you have any recommendations online, books or advice on how to get close to the sound you're thinking about? Synth theory?

I know Thor as many great options but I know I'm not using more than 10% of its sound spectrum.

Thanks in advance for your replies,

Idance

[blackwax]

Its a massive (no Native instruments pun intended) subject! no one video will give you want you want
I have spent hours scouring the web on this

I intend taking a course on it at sometime

[blackwax]

heres on on subtraktor although not as good as the point black stuff or new yorks dub spot school (both worth subscribing to on youtube)

[Ben Cenac]

All I can say is spend a LOT of time digging and diving into each specific synth until you know it inside and out. EVERY ONE of them is DIFFERENT, with it's own unique character and feel! I learned early on to use specific synths for specific sounds and tasks, and master them within those. I haven't heard an everything synth yet!

[the crackhouse]

Thanks guys, it's good to know that I just need to hang out.

I definitly found some aspects of the filters, some are still a total mystery to me, also I guess there are some effects that I don't like or don't see the opportunity of use. Noise come directmly to my mind, I don't like distortion and... noise!

Thanks again,

Idance

[blackwax]

distortion and noise can be used to great effect you just have to know how and when

[Nightshade]

I think investing some time learning sound design will really help. I found some really great videos about sound design using Reason Software & I hope you'll find them helpful! Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9FF7EFAF9C078E3F

[Ashwell]

If you haven't done so already - go through presets and figure out what makes the patches you like tick. Thor is a good softsynth to explore because it has so many options. there's a ton of books, a ton of info online, a million youtube videos, etc... but I think i get the most out of just tweaking knobs or patching signals through various gizmos and listening to what happens.