Vail, Mark - The Synthesizer

Electronic music instruments known as synthesizers have been around since the 1950s, but the past few decades have seen their capabilities expand exponentially and their forms shape-shift from room-filling grandeur to sophisticated applications that run on pocket-sized phones and MP3 players. This book reveals the history, basics, forms, and uses of this astonishing instrument.

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CONTENTS

Foreword by Michelle Moog-Koussa
Preface
About the Companion Website
1. Trendsetting All-Stars
2. Acoustics & Synthesis Basics
Real-World Acoustics
Types of Synthesis
Audio Sources: Oscillators, Noise, & More
VCAs, Envelopes, & LFOs
Envelope Followers & Pitch-to-Voltage Converters
Filters
EQs & Filter Banks
Analog Sequencers
Arpeggiators
Reverb
Analog Delay
Digital Delay
Loopers
Other Effects
3. Choosing Your Synthesizer(s)
What's Your Budget?
Musical Tastes & Goals
Hardware vs. Software
Portability & Power
Programmability: Pros & Cons
Expandability
As Others Have Done
Perspective
Modular Synthesizers in the 21st Century
An Overview
Modular Synth Shopping
More on Eurorack Modular
More on FracRak Modular
More on Serge Modular
Connectivity
Convincing Analog & MIDI Synths to Coexist
MIDI-to-CV Conversion
CV-to-MIDI Conversion
Controllers
Synths & Controllers with Keyboards
Alternative Controllers
Wind Controllers
Touch Controllers
Hand-Held Controllers
Struck Controllers
Controllers for Microtonal Tunings
4. Composition, Programming, & Performance Techniques
Composition
Scoring to Picture
Composing for Living Art
Following Through on a Thought
Sage Advice from a Master
Scoring with Intent, Even When Intimidated
Patching, a.k.a. Programming
Encouraging Synthesists' Creativity
When & How to Experiment with Sounds
The Good & Bad of Non-Programmability
Programming for Progress
Fun with Modular Synths
Layering Synth Sounds
Programming for Expression
Performance
Tools of the Trade
Dependence on the Tried & True, but Moving Forward
Modular Apparitions
Defying the Dependence on Visuals
5. Recording the Synthesizer
As It Was & How It's Become for the Switched-On Innovator
Serial vs. Random-Access Media
Strategies for Recording Film & TV Scores
Harnessing the Power of Modular Synths with Ableton Live
Automated Mixing
Outboard Processing: Preparing Audio for Recording
Recording Direct & Expanding for Surround-Sound
Appendix: Selected Bibliography, Museums & Films, Manufacturers, Blogs, Dealers & Stores
Index