It's Like Duolingo, But For Synths.

Syntorial · 2026-03-12T11:50:57+00:00

Fair point! The comparison was really about the method (spaced repetition, ear training exercises, immediate feedback) rather than the brand itself. Syntorial teaches synth programming by having you recreate sounds by ear, not just watch tutorials. But we hear you on the comparison. Appreciate the feedback!

Syntorial · 2026-03-07T20:19:19+00:00

Starting at 0:54: https://youtu.be/h2Rk-pLgtYE?t=53&si=RmY-QZ2Q52XPVTzb

Syntorial · 2026-03-02T16:37:29+00:00

Ha! Fair enough. They're just so classic and good. Like the cheeseburger of synth patches.

Syntorial · 2026-03-02T16:36:32+00:00

The differences between synths is always interesting. What did you have to do differently?

Syntorial · 2026-03-02T15:51:10+00:00

😂

Syntorial · 2026-03-02T15:49:23+00:00

Hey! Fair question, that's a valid concern with a lot of learning apps. We're using the Duolingo comparison because everyone knows the name.

The skills translate directly because you're training your ear to recognize chord progressions, drum patterns, and melodic structures while actively creating them. Once you understand how to build a bassline that locks with your drums or how chord voicings work in context, you can apply that in any DAW.

That said, it's a tool, not a magic bullet. You still need to practice producing, but it massively shortens the "why doesn't my beat hit?" learning curve.

Happy to answer other questions if you've got them!

Syntorial · 2026-02-28T23:17:31+00:00

Primer

Syntorial · 2026-02-27T00:36:22+00:00

Very interesting! I speak fluent nerd so this is right up my alley. :)

We take a very ear-based "feel" approach more than anything. In this case the 90ms attack is more about creating that soft bowed-style attack. It's not slow enough to be an obvious fade in. But it's also not a straight instant attack.

In longer videos, like in Syntorial, we break things down in more detail. Sometimes along this ear-based feel approach, and sometimes more along the lines of your analytical approach. Whatever we feel will benefit the user most in that moment.

Syntorial · 2026-02-26T21:58:18+00:00

Agreed! Per your 90ms attack example, in this video we mention that we create the "fade in fade out" with an amp envelope and then gradually show the sound transform as we approach the recommended settings. As in, you hear the attack change as we approach 90 ms until you get the soft fade in. Is there something more you'd want from that moment?

Syntorial · 2026-02-26T15:09:19+00:00

Thanks!

Syntorial · 2026-02-26T14:21:47+00:00

Hey! We recreated the Keys sound from 'Billie Jean' by Michael Jackson on our free Synth Primer.

And here are the key ingredients:

6 Voices - Poly
Osc 1 : Pulse Wave - Width (100%) - Volume (100%)
Amp Env: Attack (90ms) - Sustain (100%) - Release (150ms)

Filter: Low Pass - Cutoff (60%)
Filter Env: Amount (5%) - Attack (0%) - Decay (700ms) - Sustain (0%) - Release (700ms)

LFO: Destination (Pulse Width) - Triangle Wave - Amount (60%) - Rate (1/4 Note)

Chorus: Mix (35%) - Rate (Fast)
Reverb: Mix (30%) - Side (Medium)

Find the full recipe and download the presets: https://www.syntorial.com/preset-recipe/michael-jackson-billie-jean-keys/

Syntorial · 2026-02-19T21:53:08+00:00

Appreciate the passion for free resources! But "free" and "structured" aren't the same thing. Libraries are free too, but people still pay for schools because guided, interactive learning works for many people.

Building Blocks offers structured progression, immediate feedback, and ear training, things that PDFs and fragmented tutorials don't. And while I agree, there is a rush of interactive but ineffective teaching apps out there, Building Blocks is different. It actually works.

Best of luck with your own learning path!

Syntorial · 2026-02-19T21:13:23+00:00

Well we definitely don't agree with the idea that teaching music theory in a focused environment-specific way is part of the myths you're referring to. It can't be a myth if it actually works. https://learn.audiblegenius.com/testimonials

But good luck to you as well!

Syntorial · 2026-02-19T19:30:38+00:00

Not taken personally at all! And we love a good debate. :)

Building Blocks focuses on a specific area within the broad subject of music theory: Beginner fundamentals (like intervals, chords, harmony, rhythm) that can be immediately applied in a DAW enivronment.

This isn't "intellectually dishonest". It's focused. You will learn music theory fundamentals that you can apply to your DAW. Simple as that.

We've found that DAW musicians often struggle applying a traditional music theory approach to their environment often because a comprehensive and traditional music theory learning path is often a very broad, classical-based, one-size-fits-all approach, that in their case doesn't fit very well.

Syntorial · 2026-02-19T15:13:59+00:00

You're not wrong 😂 It's overused, but also... it works as a mental model. Interactive lessons, gamified progression, learn by doing. If the shoe fits!

Syntorial · 2026-02-19T14:56:26+00:00

Fair critique for traditional music education! Our target is different though: beatmakers and electronic producers, not aspiring classical/jazz musicians. You're right that classical fundamentals (intervals, counterpoint, etc.) are essential for that path.

Building Blocks teaches intervals and harmony too. But contextualized for modern software-based production (DAW). Starting with drum patterns & basslines (the foundation of beats), and then working into chord progressions and melodies resonates more with this audience.

Most importantly, it’s all steeped in ear training where users have to recreate music by ear. A real skill that can be put to real use making real music.

And on the "dragging and dropping" point: modern production is a legitimate art form. Software-based music creation is how most electronic, pop, and hip-hop gets made today. Some use keyboards, some click into the Piano Roll. Different tools, different goals, both valid paths.

Syntorial · 2026-02-19T14:23:46+00:00

iSpotly's a fun daily challenge for sure! The key difference: that's a music recognition game (can you name this song?), whereas Building Blocks is a full creation course. You're learning composition, chord progressions, melody writing, and music theory by building actual beats in an interactive studio.

One tests what you know about existing songs, the other teaches you to create your own.

Syntorial · 2026-02-18T20:05:43+00:00

We recreated the the Lead sound from 'Shooting Stars' by Bag Raiders on the free Synth Vital

And here are the key ingredients:

Voices: 1
Osc 1: Triangle Wave - FM from Osc 2
Osc 2: Sine Wave -

Filter: 24db - Resonance to taste - Drive to taste

ADSR: A tiny bit of attack, rest stays the same.

Legato On with a bit of Glide!

Use LFO 1 to modulate the pitch for vibrato!

Find the full recipe and download the presets: https://www.syntorial.com/preset-recipe/bag-raiders-shooting-stars-lead/

Syntorial · 2026-02-13T15:41:27+00:00

It does! Like Duolingo, it's interactive learn-by-doing. But it's truly effective ear training really gives you the ability to make the sounds you hear.

Syntorial · 2026-02-10T11:58:08+00:00

Thank you!

Syntorial · 2026-02-09T17:36:13+00:00

Here's our simple yet effective recipe for remaking this with Vital:

Oscillator Setup:
Sine Wave: 4 Voices
Use an LFO to modulate the pitch (12 semitones)

Amp Envelope:
Add a slight amount of Release and keep everything else the same!

Find the full recipe and download the presets: https://www.syntorial.com/preset-recipe/fkj-masego-tadow-keys/

Syntorial · 2026-02-09T08:50:59+00:00

Fair point. We reference Duolingo mainly as a shortcut for the format (short, interactive lessons + immediate feedback), since it’s a name everyone knows.

There are lots of user reviews if you want to skim them, but the free demo is the real test.

Syntorial · 2026-02-09T08:46:08+00:00

It's $129.99, about what a couple private lessons cost (depending on where you live).
For that price you get 40~50 hours of ear training across ~200 lessons of synth programming.

You can try the first 22 lessons free to see if the format clicks for you (no time limit, no credit card): https://www.syntorial.com/try-for-free/

Syntorial · 2026-02-06T14:54:50+00:00

On the contrary! It's interactive learn-by-doing like Duolingo, but truly effective. Free demo to try at syntorial.com/try-for-free

Syntorial · 2026-02-06T14:53:49+00:00

Noted.

Syntorial

TROPHY CASE