This is JunkieXL describing his process for developing music soundtracks in-the-box. In this case, the digital audio workstation being used is Cubase. If you thought music soundtracks were still largely orchestral, this video should be an eye-opener.
JunkieXL is the stage name of Tom Holkenborg, a multi-platinum DJ and producer who now mostly does composition for movies (such as Deadpool, Mad Max Fury Road, Justice League, and so on). He has a very interesting youtube channel where he does tutorials on music production, synthesis, and composition. Tom has a massive, incredible collection of classic and modular synthesizers.
Drum Machine HistoryMoby's Drum Machine CollectionSamplers and RomplersJunkieXL's Sampler Collection
I think some of JunkieXL's claims about how different samplers sound is wishful thinking: but the collection is really impressive. He has largely rackmount samplers.
Huge Rompler Display at KnobCon
Note that all of the romplers on display are rackmount units -- that is, synthesizers without keyboards designed to screw into a 19-inch rack and
be played and controlled by a remote computer or keyboard. There are plenty of romplers with keyboards as well, but rackmount romplers were very
much the fashion of the time.
VocodersNick Batt and Alex run a Moog Model D (a classic synthesizer) through four different kinds of effects units
You'll probably see Nick Batt a lot, so it's worth mentioning who he is.
Nick Batt is one-half of the band DNA,
who long ago released a very popular dance remix of Susan Vega's famous song,
Tom's Diner. Nick Batt went on to found a
highly influential synthesizer and music technology review website called Sonic State,
and his reviews of new synthesizers are very well thought of. The synthesizer community genuinely
adores him, and likes to make fun of his use of the term "Pulse Width Modulation".
History of Prophet Synthesizers, including the Prophet '08
It's worth mentioning that Dave Smith also invented MIDI.
A Bit on Modular Synthesizers
...drawn from This very good tutorial on the topic (5 pages)
Yamaha DX7Ableton Live, a popular Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)Waldorf Blofeld, a Virtual Analog Synthesizer that also has a sophisticated Wavetable facility