The Fundamentals of Synthesizer Programming
1st Edition
Published on 30. March 2021
70 pages
978-0-9834960-5-2 (ISBN)
Description
The Fundamentals of Synthesizer Programming provides an introduction on
how to program a synthesizer for creating music in the studio and on stage. Used as a textbook for the
introductory electronic music course at the Department of Recording Industry at Middle Tennessee State
University, it covers the components and controls, of both hardware and software synthesizers, that are
used to create a patch on a typical synth. Concepts are explained thoroughly with block diagramming, and
practical examples are given with Reason Studios Subtractor and a Moog Voyager.
More details
Persons
Dr. Joseph Akins started as a keyboard player. Today, he is an active composer, pianist and
professor. At Middle Tennessee State University, he teaches courses in the Department of Recording
Industry, particularly subjects in electronic music. He has an extensive discography of recorded music that
has earned various awards and extensive airplay. In addition, he has created factory patches for Dave Smith
Instruments and created tutorial videos for Moog Music.
Content
- Intro
- Title Page
- Acknowledgments
- Copyright Page
- Table of Contents
- A Note about the Synthesizers
- The Fundamentals of Synthesis
- Introduction
- My First Synthesizer
- Sounds vs. Patches: The Modular SynthesizerThis Book Covers Subtractive Synthesis
- Two Signal Types
- Module Types
- Input and Outputs
- The Basic Model for Subtractive Synthesis
- The Properties of Sound
- Summary
- Questions for Chapter 1
- Sources
- Introduction
- The Oscillator
- Oscillator Controls for Pitch
- Oscillator Controls for Harmonic Content
- Noise Generator (NG)
- Combining Waveforms
- Advanced Oscillator Functions
- Summary
- Questions for Chapter 2
- Modifiers
- Introduction
- The Filter
- Filter Types
- Filter Cutoff &
- Center Frequencies
- Filter Slope
- Filter Resonance
- The Amplifier
- Summary
- Questions for Chapter 3
- Controllers
- Introduction
- The Envelope Generator
- The Filter EG
- Other Uses for the EG
- Single-Trigger vs. Multi-Trigger
- The Low Frequency Oscillator
- Sample-and-Hold
- The Keyboard
- Summary
- Questions for Chapter 4
- An Overview of Electronic Music History
- The Beginnings
- The Experimental Period
- The Modern Era
- References and Further Reading for History
- Questions for Electronic Music History
- Notes
