Recording Synths and Electronic Instruments

Electronic instruments generate sound through circuitry rather than acoustic vibration, producing signals that route directly to recording systems. Synthesizers, drum machines, and electronic sound modules each present specific recording considerations for capturing their output effectively.

Analog Synthesizer Considerations

Analog synthesizers produce continuously variable signals through voltage-controlled circuits. Their character includes slight instabilities, warm overtones, and non-linear behaviors that distinguish them from digital alternatives.

Oscillator tuning may drift slightly during recording, particularly as the instrument warms up. Allowing analog synths to warm up for 15-30 minutes before critical recording stabilizes pitch and reduces drift during takes.

The output stages of analog synthesizers contribute to their character. Overdriving the output produces saturation that some players desire. Recording at lower levels captures clean signal while preserving the option to add distortion during mixing.

Digital Synthesizer Recording

Digital synthesizers produce mathematically precise signals without the drift or noise of analog circuits. The output remains consistent across recording sessions, simplifying punch recording and future overdubs.

Many digital synths offer digital audio outputs via S/PDIF or ADAT. Connecting digitally avoids the analog conversion stages in both the synth’s output and the interface’s input, maintaining the signal in the digital domain.

Aliasing artifacts in digital synthesis can produce harshness at certain frequencies. These characteristics become part of the recorded signal. If problematic, light low-pass filtering during tracking can reduce harshness while preserving tone.

Modular Synthesizer Routing

Modular synthesizers require routing patch cables to create sound. The signal path for recording may need specific patching to reach output modules. Documenting patch configurations helps recreate sounds for future sessions.

Output levels from modular systems vary dramatically depending on patch configuration. Checking levels before each take prevents clipping surprises. Some modules produce output well beyond line level, requiring attenuation before the recording interface.

Modular synths often produce stereo through multiple output modules or effects. Routing left and right outputs to separate interface channels captures the full stereo field of complex patches.

Drum Machine Recording

Hardware drum machines provide individual outputs for separate sound routing. Recording kick, snare, and other elements to individual tracks enables independent mixing control.

When individual outputs aren’t available, the stereo mix output captures the drum machine’s internal balance. This approach commits to the internal mix but simplifies setup and track count.

Timing synchronization between drum machines and DAW requires attention. MIDI clock or audio click track keeps the drum machine locked to the session tempo. Recording without sync risks timing drift over long performances.

Effects Integration

External effects processors add character to electronic instruments. Recording through effects commits to those sounds while recording dry preserves flexibility.

Hardware effects, particularly vintage units with sought-after character, often record with the effect printed. Their specific quality can be difficult to replicate with plugins.

Insert points and effect loops on some synthesizers enable processing specific stages of the signal path. Filtering the oscillator differently than processing the final output creates sounds impossible through post-recording processing alone.

Stereo and Mono Decisions

Electronic instruments often produce mono signals that studio effects process into stereo. Understanding which sounds are truly stereo and which are processed mono informs recording decisions.

Mono synth leads typically record mono, with stereo effects added during mixing. Pad sounds with built-in stereo modulation record stereo to preserve their spatial character.

Checking left and right outputs independently reveals whether they contain different information. Summing identical signals to mono and recording single tracks saves resources without losing sonic information.

Session Recall

Electronic instrument settings cannot be captured through microphones. Documenting patch settings, either through photos, parameter lists, or preset storage, enables recreating sounds for future sessions.

Some hardware synths support patch dumping via MIDI or USB. Saving these dumps with session files ensures sound recall regardless of the instrument’s current settings.

Software synthesizers store settings within the session file automatically. However, plugin updates or unavailability may affect compatibility. Bouncing audio of important synth parts provides permanent records independent of software availability.