synthesis

Synthesizers

• Hans & Clint | Masters At Work

• Synthesizer Basics (Berkley)

• Learning Synths (Ableton interactive learning)

• Online Virtual Analog Synth

• Indiana - Important Analog Synthesis Concepts

• Understanding Synthesis (5 minute read)

• How modulation works

• A few Types of Synthesis:

  • • additive synthesis

    • subtractive synthesis = fewer expensive oscillators (just one complex, rich one)

    • wavetable synthesis

    • physical modeling synthesis = mathematical, using algorithms to create harmonic and acoustic characteristics

• How an oscillator works (DC turns into AC … constant voltage (signal) oscillates at a specific frequency)

• Analog Synth 101:

Generic Synthesizer Block Diagram by Ray Wilson

Samplers

Synthesizers vs. Samplers

• use same parameters as synthesizers … so worth understanding the parameters

• Audio Unit (AU) and VST instruments (for notation software) vs. General MIDI

Other Resources

https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/music-and-theater-arts/21m-380-music-and-technology-sound-design-spring-2016/readings-and-assignments/