Patch
A synthesizer patch (some manufacturers chose the term program) is a combination of settings and connections.
In modular synthesizers
Modular synthesizers use patch cordss to connect the different sound modules together. Since these machines had no memory to save settings, musicians wrote down the locations of the patch cords and knob positions on a "patch sheet", which usually showed a diagram of the synthesizer. Ever since, an overall sound setting for any type of synthesizer has been known as a patch.
In the late 1970s, patch memory (allowing storage and loading of "patches" or "programs") began to appear in synths like the Oberheim Four-voice,[1] Sequential Circuits' Model 700 Programmer (1977) and Prophet-5 (1977/1978). After MIDI was introduced in 1983, more and more synthesizers could import or export patches via MIDI SysEx commands. When a synthesizer patch is uploaded to a personal computer that has patch editing software installed, the user can alter the parameters of the patch and download it back to the synthesizer. Because there is no standard patch language it is rare that a patch generated on one synthesizer can be used on a different model. However sometimes manufacturers design a family of synthesizers to be compatible.
See also
References
This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia:Synthesizer (view authors).
- ^ Oberheim Polyphonic Synthesizer Programmer, advert in Contemporary Keyboard Magazine, September/October 1976, p. 19
Further reading
- Welsh's Synthesizer Cookbook: Synthesizer Programming, Sound Analysis, and Universal Patch Book by Fred Welsh.
- The Source Book of Patching and Programming, Polyphony Magazine, 1978, ISBN 0-933338-00-7
- Notes on Modular Synthesis by Peter Elsea, lulu.com - fifty pages of the basic patches to famous patches.
- Patch & Tweak - Exploring Modular Synthesis by Kim Bjørn, Chris Meyer, Bjooks Media, 2018, ISBN 9788799999514
- A synthesist's guide to acoustic instruments by Howard Massey, Amsco, 1987, ISBN 071191124X - audio files from the book at Matrix synth
External links
- Patchbook - Markup language and parser for writing and distributing patches for modular synthesizers.
Patches
- Patch ideas at Music Thing Modular
- Patches at modular-planet.de
- Classic and Weird Patches at The Analog Cottage
- Mod Wiggler forum:Newb looking for 'Patching for dummies' kind of thing
- Synth & Studio Docs Archive
- A Patch From Scratch - Modular Synth Patch Tutorials, The Tuesday Night Machines YouTube playlist
- Advanced Programming Techniques for Modular Synthesizers edited by James J. Clark
- Also in Polyphony magazine
- Notes on Modular Synthesis by Peter Elsea, lulu.com, 2018 - pp.61-93 basic patches and pp. 94-108 generative patches
- Synthesis Techniques, Mod Wiggler Forum