Learning to play a synth: Difference between revisions

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== Method ==
== Method ==
You will learn more about synthesis by doing synthesis. Supplement this with reading and watching videos.<ref name="newb">[https://modwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12812 Newb looking for 'Patching for dummies' kind of thing], Mod Wiggler Forum, Feb 2010</ref><ref name="where">[https://www.modwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=229143 Where or How to learn everything about modular synthesizer?], Mod Wiggler Forum, Mar 2020</ref>
You will learn more about synthesis by doing synthesis. Supplement this with reading and watching [[videos]].<ref name="newb">[https://modwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12812 Newb looking for 'Patching for dummies' kind of thing], Mod Wiggler Forum, Feb 2010</ref><ref name="where">[https://www.modwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=229143 Where or How to learn everything about modular synthesizer?], Mod Wiggler Forum, Mar 2020</ref>


=== Modular synthesis ===
=== Modular synthesis ===
Software synths such as VCV Rack, Csound or similar are a good way to try out different synthesis techniques. Spending some time using one will help you to get a better idea of what modules you'd like to have.<ref>[https://northcoastsynthesis.com/news/modular-synthesis-how-to-get-started/ Modular synthesis intro, part 3: How to get started] by Matthew Skala, North Coast Synthesis, 2017</ref>
[[Software synth]]s such as VCV Rack, Csound or similar are a good way to try out different synthesis techniques. Spending some time using one will help you to get a better idea of what modules you'd like to have.<ref>[https://northcoastsynthesis.com/news/modular-synthesis-how-to-get-started/ Modular synthesis intro, part 3: How to get started] by Matthew Skala, North Coast Synthesis, 2017</ref>


== Resources ==
== Resources ==
In the 60s and 70s when [[synthesizer]]s 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.<ref name="where"/>
In the 60s and 70s when [[synthesizer]]s 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.<ref name="where"/>


[https://www.syntorial.com/ Syntorial] an interactive synthesizer tutorial that teaches you how to program a soft synth and trains you to be able to recreate synth sounds by ear.<ref name="lshn"/>
[https://www.syntorial.com/ Syntorial] an interactive synthesizer tutorial that teaches you how to program a soft synth and trains you to be able to recreate synth sounds by ear.<ref name="lshn"/>


[https://web.archive.org/web/20160403115835/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/allsynthsecrets.htm Synth Secrets] by Gordon Reid, serialised in Sound on Sound magazine from May 1999 to July 2004, is consistently recommended reading.<ref name="lshn"/>
[https://web.archive.org/web/20160403115835/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/allsynthsecrets.htm Synth Secrets] by Gordon Reid, serialised in [[Sound]] on Sound magazine from May 1999 to July 2004, is consistently recommended reading.<ref name="lshn"/>


== See also ==
== See also ==
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* ''Notes on Modular Synthesis'' by Peter Elsea, [https://www.lulu.com/en/en/shop/peter-elsea/notes-on-modular-synthesis/paperback/product-1p7qr6ep.html lulu.com], 2018 - a solid primer with many of the basic patches
* ''Notes on Modular Synthesis'' by Peter Elsea, [https://www.lulu.com/en/en/shop/peter-elsea/notes-on-modular-synthesis/paperback/product-1p7qr6ep.html lulu.com], 2018 - a solid primer with many of the basic patches
* ''[https://bjooks.com/products/patch-tweak-exploring-modular-synthesis Patch & Tweak - Exploring modular synthesis]'' by Kim Bjørn, Chris Meyer, Bjooks, 2018, {{ISBN|9788799999514}}
* ''[https://bjooks.com/products/patch-tweak-exploring-modular-synthesis Patch & Tweak - Exploring modular synthesis]'' by Kim Bjørn, Chris Meyer, Bjooks, 2018, {{ISBN|9788799999514}}
*''Welsh's Synthesizer Cookbook: Synthesizer Programming, Sound Analysis, and Universal Patch Book'' by Fred Welsh, 2006, {{ASIN|B000ERHA4S}}
*''Welsh's Synthesizer Cookbook: Synthesizer Programming, Sound Analysis, and Universal [[Patch]] Book'' by Fred Welsh, 2006, {{ASIN|B000ERHA4S}}
* ''Electronic Music: Systems, Techniques, Controls'' by Allen Strange, McGraw-Hill Inc., 1982, {{ISBN|0-697-03602-2}} - "The 2nd edition has much more information than the 1st."
* ''Electronic Music: Systems, Techniques, Controls'' by Allen Strange, McGraw-Hill Inc., 1982, {{ISBN|0-697-03602-2}} - "The 2nd edition has much more information than the 1st."
* ''[http://thesnowfields.com/manuals/devarahi%20'the%20complete%20guide%20to%20synthesizers'.pdf The Complete Guide to Synthesizers]'' by Devarahi, Prentice Hall, 1982, {{ISBN|0-13-160630-1}}
* ''[http://thesnowfields.com/manuals/devarahi%20'the%20complete%20guide%20to%20synthesizers'.pdf The Complete Guide to Synthesizers]'' by Devarahi, Prentice Hall, 1982, {{ISBN|0-13-160630-1}}
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* [https://www.samecoff.com/works/ Fundamentals of Music Technology Volume One: The ARP 2600 Synthesizer] by Samuel Ecoff, 2000
* [https://www.samecoff.com/works/ Fundamentals of Music Technology Volume One: The ARP 2600 Synthesizer] by Samuel Ecoff, 2000
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20171029092301/http://www.virus.info/api/download/dlid/222/alternate/0/Tutorial%20on%20how%20to%20program%20the%20Virus%20in%20English Virus tutorial - Programming analog synthesizers a tutorial] bv Howard Scarr
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20171029092301/http://www.virus.info/api/download/dlid/222/alternate/0/Tutorial%20on%20how%20to%20program%20the%20Virus%20in%20English Virus tutorial - Programming analog synthesizers a tutorial] bv Howard Scarr
* [https://rhordijk.home.xs4all.nl/G2Pages/ Sound synthesis and sound design] by [[Rob Hordijk Design|Rob Hordijk]], aimed at the Nord G2 synth but generally applicable to modular analog.
* [https://rhordijk.home.xs4all.nl/G2Pages/ Sound synthesis and sound design] by [[Rob Hordijk Design|Rob Hordijk]], aimed at the Nord G2 synth but generally applicable to modular [[analog]].
* [http://www.carbon111.com/sergebook.zip ''An introduction to the serge modular music system''] by Rich Gold with Darrel Johansen and Marina LaPalma (zip file)
* [http://www.carbon111.com/sergebook.zip ''An introduction to the serge modular music system''] by Rich Gold with Darrel Johansen and Marina LaPalma (zip file)
* [https://buchla.com/guides/Buchla_Music_Easel_Manual.pdf Buchla Music Easel Manual] (Programming and Metaprogramming in the Electro-Organism by Allen Strange)
* [https://buchla.com/guides/Buchla_Music_Easel_Manual.pdf Buchla Music Easel Manual] (Programming and Metaprogramming in the Electro-Organism by Allen Strange)
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=== Software ===
=== Software ===
* [https://vcvrack.com/ VCV Rack] - The Eurorack simulator for Windows/Mac/Linux
* [https://vcvrack.com/ VCV Rack] - The [[Eurorack]] simulator for Windows/Mac/Linux
* [https://cycling74.com/products/max/ Max] - The visual programming language for music and multimedia
* [https://cycling74.com/products/max/ Max] - The visual programming language for music and multimedia
* [https://csound.com/ Csound] - a sound and music computing system
* [https://csound.com/ Csound] - a sound and music computing system

Revision as of 14:09, 20 July 2023

A stock image for complexity.

There are many forms of synth. Learning piano will help you to understand the concepts and techniques of a keyboard instrument. However not all synths have a keyboard.[1]

Method

You will learn more about synthesis by doing synthesis. Supplement this with reading and watching videos.[2][3]

Modular synthesis

Software synths such as VCV Rack, Csound or similar are a good way to try out different synthesis techniques. Spending some time using one will help you to get a better idea of what modules you'd like to have.[4]

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.[3]

Syntorial an interactive synthesizer tutorial that teaches you how to program a soft synth and trains you to be able to recreate synth sounds by ear.[1]

Synth Secrets by Gordon Reid, serialised in Sound on Sound magazine from May 1999 to July 2004, is consistently recommended reading.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Learning Synths, Hacker News, Jun 2019
  2. ^ Newb looking for 'Patching for dummies' kind of thing, Mod Wiggler Forum, Feb 2010
  3. ^ a b Where or How to learn everything about modular synthesizer?, Mod Wiggler Forum, Mar 2020
  4. ^ Modular synthesis intro, part 3: How to get started by Matthew Skala, North Coast Synthesis, 2017

Further reading

In discussing the topic these get recommended the most often.

  • Notes on Modular Synthesis by Peter Elsea, lulu.com, 2018 - a solid primer with many of the basic patches
  • Patch & Tweak - Exploring modular synthesis by Kim Bjørn, Chris Meyer, Bjooks, 2018, ISBN 9788799999514
  • Welsh's Synthesizer Cookbook: Synthesizer Programming, Sound Analysis, and Universal Patch Book by Fred Welsh, 2006, ASIN B000ERHA4S
  • Electronic Music: Systems, Techniques, Controls by Allen Strange, McGraw-Hill Inc., 1982, ISBN 0-697-03602-2 - "The 2nd edition has much more information than the 1st."
  • The Complete Guide to Synthesizers by Devarahi, Prentice Hall, 1982, ISBN 0-13-160630-1
  • A foundation for electronic music, Practical synthesis 1 and Practical synthesis 2, Roland Corporation, 1978/79
  • Learning Music With Synthesizers by David Friend, Alan R. Pearlman, H. Leonard Pub. Corp, 1974

External links

Manuals

Forum threads

Software

Courses

Videos

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