Every professional producer reaches a point where "flipping through presets" is no longer enough. To create a unique sonic brand, you need to know how to build sounds from scratch. The most common and approachable way to do this is through Subtractive Synthesis.

Subtractive synthesis works on a simple principle: you start with a rich, complex sound and then "subtract" frequencies away to shape it. In this guide, we will break down the four main modules found on almost every synthesizer (Serum, Vital, or hardware).

1. The Oscillators (The Engine)

The oscillator is where the sound begins. It generates a raw waveform. Think of this as the "raw clay" that you will later sculpt.

• Sine Wave: Pure and smooth. Great for sub-bass.
• Sawtooth Wave: Buzzing and bright. The foundation for lead synths and brassy sounds.
• Square Wave: Hollow and "woody." Perfect for 8-bit sounds or deep, "plucky" basses.
• Triangle Wave: A middle ground between Sine and Saw. Great for flutes and softer pads.

2. The Filter (The Sculptor)

This is where the "subtractive" part happens. A Low-Pass Filter (LPF) is the most common tool. By lowering the "Cutoff" knob, you remove the high-end buzz, turning a piercing sawtooth into a warm, muffled pad.

Resonance: This knob adds a "peak" or boost right at the cutoff point. High resonance creates that classic "squelchy" or "acid" sound found in techno and funk.

3. The ADSR Envelope (The Shape)

The envelope determines how the sound changes over time. It stands for:

• Attack: How fast the sound reaches full volume. (Short = Pluck, Long = Pad).
• Decay: How fast the sound drops to its sustained volume.
• Sustain: The volume level while you hold the key down.
• Release: How long it takes for the sound to fade out after you let go.

4. LFO (The Movement)

A Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) is an oscillator that is so slow you can't hear it as a pitch. Instead, you use it to "move" other knobs automatically. If you link an LFO to the Volume, you get Tremolo. If you link it to the Cutoff, you get that classic "Wobble" found in Dubstep.

How to Build Your First Sound

1. Choose a Sawtooth wave on Oscillator 1.
2. Turn down the Filter Cutoff until the sound is dark.
3. Set a short Decay (200ms) and zero Sustain on your Envelope. This creates a "Pluck."
4. Add a bit of Reverb at the end.
5. Congratulations! You just built a professional Deep House melodic pluck.

Summary

Synthesis might seem like rocket science, but it’s really just a series of simple choices. Once you understand the relationship between oscillators, filters, and envelopes, you can recreate almost any sound you hear on the radio. Stop hunting for presets and start building your own world.