The Guilty Pleasure Of Synth Preset Browsing

If you're a music producer or sound designer, you're probably familiar with the joys of browsing through VST synth presets. There's something inexplicably satisfying about scrolling through endless options, hearing the different sounds that each preset can produce, and finding the perfect sound that fits your track. I can tell you that the human brain is definitely wired to seek out novel experiences and stimuli, which is why browsing VST presets can be so enjoyable. Our brains are constantly seeking out patterns and making connections, so when we hear a new sound that we find pleasing, it triggers a release of dopamine in the brain, which is the same neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. But beyond the simple pleasure of discovering new sounds, there are also several practical benefits to browsing VST synth presets. For one, it can save time and effort in the sound design process. Rather than spending hours tweaking parameters and experimenting with different settings, browsing presets allows you to quickly audition a wide range of sounds and find one that works for your track, or for those endless hours of jamming a tune that you're never planning on actually use to make any music! Additionally, browsing presets can help you develop your own sound design skills by giving you a better understanding of how different synth parameters affect the overall sound. By analyzing and deconstructing presets that you like, you can learn how to recreate similar sounds from scratch, and eventually develop your own unique sound signature. I'm sure the thought of one day selling your own presets would have crossed your mind, but you'll probably never get down to business compiling a preset bank. The fear is real that the quality of those presets might come under scrutiny and your endless hours of tweaking effort might be ridiculed! From a linguistic perspective, browsing VST synth presets also engages several key processes in the brain. When we listen to music, our brains are constantly processing auditory information and making sense of it, which involves a complex interplay of language processing, pattern recognition, and memory retrieval. Browsing presets can help to strengthen these neural connections by exposing us to a wide variety of sounds and forcing our brains to constantly adapt and make new connections. If you tell me that a certain custom sound of yours made you recall a certain smell, you're not alone! Of course, there are also potential downsides to relying too heavily on VST presets in your music production. For one, it can lead to a lack of originality and creativity if you're always using the same presets and not experimenting with your own sound design. Presets may not always fit perfectly within your track, and may require some additional tweaking and customization to get the desired sound. I'm talking about tweaking it at a basic level, and not further processing done within a DAW AFTER recording it. The bottom line, the pleasures of VST synth preset browsing are undeniable. From the simple pleasure of discovering new sounds, to the practical benefits of saving time and developing your sound design skills, there are plenty of reasons to indulge in this enjoyable pastime. It's better than indulging in some dark habits that I shall not ever mention but you probably know what those are.