Thanks mate.
The Elektron boxes aren't the easiest IMO to learn synthesis on (maybe only because they're pretty unique in their UI).
The main reason I was able to dial those sounds in quickly is I've looked at a few "dubstep wobble" tutorials over the past year, tried patching them up various VSTi's, and just tried to translate the basic patch design to the MD / MNM.
IMO sound design is one of those hard skills that really takes a lot of reading / learning / watching / listening to start to figure out all the things you don't even know you don't know yet.
If you're frustrated trying to replicate sounds, maybe check out a book on synthesis and dig into the fundamentals. I learned a lot going through Howard Scarr's eBook on Programming Analog Synthesizers, which is focused on the Access Virus sound architecture, but his approach to sound design was really illuminating. There are also tons of general synthesis books out there.
I put off learning this stuff "for real" for the past 15 years+, and finally digging into it over the past 6 months or so I've learned more than in the decade before. Kind of sad, but whatever.
And anyone who tells you that they never read/learned about synthesis -- that they're self-taught or whatever -- well good for them! Personally, I just wanted to maximize my musical punch, and I figured a little learning only shows respect for the artform. After all -- it has evolved through the work and play of many musicians over many decades.
Sorry for the long post -- but it's cool to have found a nice community to chat about this stuff with.
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