Learning to play a synth

Like anything learning to play a synth is easier if you're having fun.

Method
You will learn more about synthesis by doing synthesis. Supplement this with reading and watching videos.

Resources
In the 60s and 70s when synthesizers were a new thing the owners manuals, magazine articles, and books from that time had to explain synthesizers in very basic terms. These are still worth reading. Since then technology has moved on and nowadays there is a lot more to Learn. For newer products read the manual and YouTube has a lot of useful content.

Manuals

 * The ARP 2600 owners manual
 * Fundamentals of Music Technology Volume One: The ARP 2600 Synthesizer by Samuel Ecoff, 2000
 * Virus tutorial - Programming analog synthesizers a tutorial bv Howard Scarr
 * Sound synthesis and sound design by Rob Hordijk, aimed at the Nord G2 synth but generally applicable to modular analog.
 * An introduction to the serge modular music system by	Rich Gold with	Darrel Johansen and	Marina LaPalma (zip file)
 * Buchla Music Easel Manual (Programming and Metaprogramming in the Electro-Organism by Allen Strange)
 * Part 4 - Step by Step Guide to Synthesis, Digisound-80

Synthesizer forums

 * Mod Wiggler Forum
 * electro-music.com

Software

 * VCV Rack - The Eurorack simulator for Windows/Mac/Linux
 * Max - The visual programming language for music and multimedia
 * Soundcard Oscilloscope

Courses

 * Syntorial, training software teaching how to patch a synth by ear.
 * Constructive Synthesis, build and learn subtractive synthesis
 * Colin Benders The Complete Guide to Modular Synthesis
 * Learning Modular Courses, video training to help master your modular synth.

Videos

 * Intro to Synthesis, New York School of Synthesis by Dean Friedman, 1988 or later. Links to parts 2 and 3 are in the sidebar.
 * Exploring Modular Synths playlist by Modular Landing, last updated on 24 Aug 2021
 * Exploring Modular Synths - Beginner's Mind Series by Modular Landing, last updated on 7 Sept 2019
 * The Foundation of Synthesis Videos – Get started: Learning the fundamentals of synthesis with Marc Doty