East Coast VS, West Coast Synthesis What is The Difference?

East Coast Synthesis (Aka Subtractive) And The Moog Company

The east coast approach to sound synthesis is quite straight forward, you take a complex and harmonically rich waveform (Like a sawtoothwave) and shape it to taste using "Filters" this is why this method of also called Subtractive Synthesis, by using the filters you basically subtract different harmonic content of the waveform.

The Most famous company that implemented this concept in their products is perhaps The Moog. 

The unique tonal character of this method is dependent on the type and circuitry of the Filter, in most iconic east coast synthesizers this tonal character achieved by cranking up the Filter Resonance. 

By using the filter resonance you can make the sounds which east coast synthesis is known for. 80`s disco acid bass sequences, early dubstep record wobble basses, etc .

When It Is Better To Use Subtractive Synthesis ?

• In a nutshell, Any time you want to  Modulate a Huge and Fat Sound using a VCF, e.g, Wobble Bass.
• or anytime you want to seriously bring out the tonal character of a VCF (Crude Use of Filter Resonance !!), e.g, Acid Bass Sequence.

 

West Coast (Aka Waveshaping Synthesis) And The Buchla Company

The West Coast or Waveshaping Method is completely different from Subtractive or East Coast method. In the West Coast Synthesis you start with a harmonically simple waveform (like a Sine Wave), and by using the tools provided in west coast synthesizers (i.e, Waveshaper, VCO Modulation, LPG) you transform your Simple waveform into a Complex & harmonically rich Sound. the Waveshaping method is tightly bound with the name Buchla. Buchla is the first company that introduced the Waveshaper and Complex Waveform Generator to the world of electronic music, so it deserve the fame and reputation of being the Grand daddy of the west coast synthesis.

When It Is Better to Grab a Waveshaper ?

• With the power of Waveshaper and Complex Generator you can create the most harmonically rich and creative sounds that are completely new to all ears.
• If your goal is to create complex and creative sounds (e.g, Talking basses, Cutting Edge Leads etc.) then it is the right way to go.