Simon Cann - Becoming a Synthesizer Wizard: From Presets to Power User

Simon Cann

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Becoming a Synthesizer Wizard: From Presets to Power User
Simon Cann

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2008902399

ISBN-13: 978-1-59863-550-8

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There are many people who have helped with this book who I would like to thank.

First, there are the guys behind the software that is featured in this book:

Martin Fay at Software Technology (VAZ Modular)

Urs Heckman (Zebra 2)

Jeff McClintock at SynthEdit

Kasper Nielsen at KarmaFX (KarmaFX Synth Modular)

Without these individuals singular vision, the world of software synthesis would be a much duller place.

I would also like to thank everyone involved with the production of this book, especially Orren Merton, Cathleen Small, Gino Robair, Stacy Hiquet, and Mark Hughes, as well as the good people at Course Technology PTR.

Thank you all.

Simon Cann is a writer based in London. He is the author of a number of music-related and business-related books.

His music-related books include: How to Make a Noise, Cakewalk Synthesizers: From Presets to Power User, Building a Successful 21st Century Music Career, Sample This! (with Klaus P. Rausch), Project5 Power!, and Rocking Your Music Business. His business-related books include the Made It In series of books ( madeitin.com ), which feature the experiences of international entrepreneurs who have built successful companies in the hottest business locations around the world.

You can read more about Simon at his website, simoncann.com , and check out his other musicrelated books at his Noise Sculpture website, noisesculpture.com .

Chapter 1
An Introduction to Digital Audio and Software Synthesis

Chapter 2
Getting a Grip on Synthesizer Programming

Chapter 3
Synthesizer/Patch Construction Basics

Chapter 4
An Introduction to Sound Sources

Chapter 5
Filters

Chapter 6
Modulation and Control

Chapter 7
Global Controls and Other Modules

Chapter 8
FX Units

Chapter 9
Creating Sounds

I would like to start with an apology to any Harry Potter fans who have accidentally stumbled across this book. If youre looking for a guide to magic and spells, then Im afraid youve come to the wrong place. However, if youre looking for the place to get a firm grasp on sound design and using synthesizers, then you have come to the right place.

This book is intended for:

People who are new to synthesis and who want to understand the basics, taking their first steps in creating and controlling sounds with synthesizers.

Musicians who are familiar with synthesis, but who want to solidify or expand that knowledge so they can use their tools more fully.

The book covers four main areas:

Getting started with synthesis and digital audio. The early chapters introduce you to the world of digital music creation. We then move to an introduction to synthesizers and sound creation.

Modules. The second section of the book looks at the modules that are available to create and shape sounds. In short, this is the palette from which you can create your sounds.

Synthesizer architecture. As we look at the modules, we will start to think about synthesizer architecture and how the elements of synthesisin other words, the modules we are looking atcan be put together. Partly this is a matter of structure, but it also has a significant effect on the sound, and as you will see, the architecture is inextricably linked with sound design.