What do all the knobs do? Easy way to learn how to program synths and design sounds
Noise Solution has been working with a couple of young people who were interested in learning about synthesis and we came across a really good way to learn synth programming without baffling people...a rare thing indeed
It's called document.write("Simple Text Link");
">Syntorial, and it's video game-like training software that teaches you how to program synth patches by ear. It combines video demonstrations with interactive challenges in which you program a built-in soft synth. They've got a document.write("Simple Text Link");
">free demo that includes the first 22 lessons. Thought it was worth sharing
ADSR's, filters, Resonance, Pulse width modulations, LFO's etc etc what does it all mean? and how can you most easily learn?
I'm more of a visual learner than manual reader. I've been using synths in various forms for about 10 years and I've picked up what everything is over the years and how to tweak things but I've always felt my foundation was rocky and that there was a lot more I could be geting out of the tools that I use on an everyday basis with students, or that there were better ways for describing their functions.
Modern technology allows us to play with these amazing instruments (many of which are entirely free to download) that dominate a huge amount of stuff that we hear. It also allows us to learn about them using tools like this - document.write("Simple Text Link");
">Syntorial in new ways, ways that are frankly just easier and quicker than reading a manual with lots of abstract concepts in them.
This system worked well for people who prefer learning through doing. It breaks down all the different parts of a synth into building blocks and starting with the simplest element plays a sound that the learner has to copy by tweaking the controls available - it goes from the very simple to very complex but in small increments so that it's not scary and it works..
They have a demo with the first 22 lessons for free - document.write("Simple Text Link");
">check it out here