Devin Belanger’s Synth Starter Pack: Forget the Specs, Find Your Groove

Devin kicks things off with a question that hits harder than a 909 kick: What’s your actual goal with synths? Are you here to drop tracks and chase the label dream, or is it all about zoning out with ambient jams after work? Maybe you’re just itching to design wild sounds for movies or other artists. Whatever your vibe, figuring out your purpose up front is like picking the right street for your food truck—everything else flows from there.

He breaks it down into two main camps: the music makers and the sonic explorers. You can do both, sure, but knowing where you lean helps you dodge a lot of wasted time and cash. Devin’s advice is simple—don’t let FOMO or Instagram flexes decide your path. Instead, get real about what lights you up, and let that steer your first steps into synth land.

Devin’s inbox is flooded with the classic question: “What synth should I buy?” His answer? Chill out, because gear is way less important than you think. If you’re just starting, your laptop, a solid DAW, and a decent MIDI controller will get you further than a pile of hardware that ends up as expensive shelf art. Too many folks chase the hardware dream only to realize they’re happier clicking away in their DAW with some tasty sample packs.

But if you’re more about playing synths as instruments, Devin suggests saving up for a single good polysynth—one that won’t break the bank but can handle both chords and leads. Forget the old-school advice about monosynths being the only way in. A polysynth gives you more flexibility and lets you jam out your favorite tunes, whether you’re channeling Vangelis or just noodling after midnight. The key? Buy something that feels right, not just something with a long spec sheet.

Let’s get one thing straight: specs don’t make music, people do. Devin’s seen more gear debates than late-night taco runs, and he’s over it. He says it’s all about the vibe you get from a synth—the workflow, the inspiration, the way it makes you want to play. His most expensive synth barely has any features, but it’s the one that sparks his creativity every time.

If you’re picking your first synth, don’t get caught up in the numbers game. Go to a music store, caffeinate yourself, and mess with everything you can get your hands on. You’ll know when a synth clicks with you, and that’s worth more than any list of features. Devin’s advice is pure street wisdom: the best synth is the one that makes you want to make music, not the one with the fanciest brochure.

Devin wraps it up with some real talk: music production is a marathon, not a sprint. He learned the hard way that trying to do everything solo and rushing the process just leads to burnout. The real secret sauce? Patience, community, and remembering that nobody makes it alone.

Whether you’re banging your head against the wall trying to finish a track or just overwhelmed by the mountain of things to learn, remember—every synth today is good enough to make a hit. What sets you apart is your mindset, your willingness to learn from others, and your ability to stick with it when things get tough. And hey, if you want to see how Devin delivers this wisdom with his signature Canadian charm, you gotta watch the video yourself—some things just hit different in person.