Hey Ben! Thank you for asking this - and thank you also to @circuitghost and @mcpepe for your replies! Iām in a very similar position to what you described, Ben: the Deluge is my second synth, and I know Iāve got heaps to learn - about it specifically and in general⦠So really keen to hear the collective wisdom of users on Lines!
My Deluge arrived a little over a week ago, and I feel Iām gradually getting to grips with it - though, to echo what everyone seems to say about it, Iāve only begun to scratch the surface⦠While I was waiting for it, I occupied myself much as you are. I read the manual; I scoured the web for whatever free samples are available (spoiler alert: thereās a lot!! Basically just use search terms as broad or specific as whatever you have in mind and youāll probably find plenty); I found a great doc full of tips on the Synthstrom forums called āUnderstanding the Delugeā; I lost track of all the Deluge-related videos I watched and rewatchedā¦
And Iām pleased to say that, when it arrived and I tried using it for the first time: it made sense! Iām obviously still a very basic user, but even using basic functions Iām able to get results - and an experience - that are fulfilling, at least to me.
Iām not qualified in the least to advise you on workflow, but my approach to building a practical understanding of the device and its functions has been basically to pick a thing I want to learn and then try to do it, using whatever info sources are available. That thing inevitably links to other things, so itās been a good way to cover a small, consumable set of features at a time.
No MIDI controller for me yet. I had my eye on a couple before it arrived, but Iāve decided for now to wait and just use the Deluge itself until Iām more comfortable with all the things. Iāve grabbed the first Boards of Deluge pack and it is indeed excellent - will grab the others soon. Next purchase is the cables to connect my little NTS-1 (inspired by Whales Have Teethās video) to the Delugeā¦
All the best! Keen to hear when yours arrives and how youāre finding it =)