Just fyi, Syntorial is currently on sale at VST Buzz for half price (~$65USD): https://vstbuzz.com/deals/50-off-syntorial-by-audible-genius...

Thanks for the link! Considering that I was about to buy Syntorial at full price, I'd like to donate $30 to a charity on your behalf. Reply here or email me with the name of the charity that you'd like the money to go to.

Hey! I'm not knowledgeable enough to endorse a specific national charity, so I'd suggest that you buy some local artist's merch or donate to your local/regional human or animal shelter!

Okay! I donated $30 to the SF SPCA. Thanks again for the tip! https://www.evernote.com/l/ABLjCal10i5CnYiRvlMhlxj_vGjFWojD2...

That’s a fantastic choice! Glad I could help you save a few (dozen) bucks.

Thanks! I was thinking if Syntorial was worth purchasing after doing the free lessons. At half price, I say it is worth it!

Check out VCV rack. It just hit 1.0. https://vcvrack.com/

VCV rack is free. Also look for the demo Nord Modular software, which has a few modules disabled and is limited to one voice but still insanely powerful. Synth Secrets is probably the best written tutorial on synthesis you'll find anywhere.

https://www.soundonsound.com/search/articles/%22Synth%20Secr...

They have a reasonable trial on their site. I'd recommend taking it for a spin.

This is a good place to start. The demo uses Logic's ES2 as a platform. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvRbdIw9KaQ

I learned through YouTube tutorials. Find a popular free virtual synth, I'd recommend Synth1. (Popular because you want lots of content available) and try to understand the very basics of the pieces of it.

Once you've got that down, most popular synthesizers use a very similar "subtractive" architecture, so once you understand the basics of your chosen one, it's simple to follow tutorials using other synthesizers. From there I'd recommend finding a youtuber you like learning from even if they don't use the same synth as you.

I really enjoyed Creating Sounds for Electronic Music https://www.coursera.org/learn/music-synthesizer

... It's only $129.

that's a lot of money for most people

What is easy for you is a months salary for someone else. Keep in mind that HN is read all over the globe and that if $129 is 'pocket change' for you that you are the exception, not the rule, and a lucky one at that.

You and I live in different worlds.

Apparently, if the dishwasher at a fast casual restaurant can afford this yet you cannot.

He's not saying he can't afford it. He's saying it's a lot of money. I'd imagine when you make minimum wage, it's a lot of money even if you can afford it.

I make typical FANG SWE income and I still consider it to be a lot..

Is empathy too much to ask for?

Truly, ignorance is bliss.