The Basic Concepts of Synthesis

Demystifying the terminology commonly used in synthesizers.
When you first get into sound synthesis, it may seem like people are speaking an alien language, describing it in terms of frequency, amplitude, harmonics, waves, modes, poles, envelopes, modulators, and the such.
But behind those words are some fairly simple concepts: What pitch are you playing a sound at? How loud is it? How does that loudness change over the life of a note? How bright or dull does it sound? How can you change that brightness or dullness?
In response, Chris Meyer of Learning Modular created this free, easy-to-understand course that demonstrates – visually, and audibly – these fundamental concepts. The preview movie above shows examples of a few of the subjects covered in this course. Each video includes closed captions, as well as a downloadable transcript.
These movies were originally created to supplement the book Patch and Tweak: Exploring Modular Synthesis that Chris co-wrote with Kim Bjørn, and are designed for a beginner that is just getting into synthesis in general and modular synthesis in particular. This course also serves as a great “newbie” introduction to the subjects discussed in Chris’ other modular synthesis courses.

Testimonial:

“Chris!! These are all awesome! Must see for all modular devotees!” 
– Todd Barton

Course Curriculum

Reviews

4.9

Top Rated
  • 5 95%
  • 4 3%
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1 3%
Alastair Bravey

Great Course

For someone like me who is looking to venture into synths, this was a great course. Broken down well into logical sections and excellent descriptions / examples.

5 months ago
Glenn Kelly

An Excellent Point to Start with Synthesis

I’ve actually been enrolled in Chris’s courses on Modular Synthesis for many years and actual own the Bjook, “Patch & Tweak” along with other Bjooks. I never took the time to visit the “Basic Concepts of Synthesis” since I was already knee deep into Eurorack Modular about a year before when Moog introduced the Mother-32 Semi-Modular Synth. I travelled down the Moog path for about a year picking up DFAM, and then dawned the deep dive equipment and started building my first monster cabinet. I did come back to the 10 videos though and watched them today. They are a great place to start the learning curve, easy to understand, well demonstrated, reinforced with audio results, and a great place to start for all who are new and thinking about synthesis. The topics are easily adoptable to virtual Modular synths as well a many keyboard synths that contain controls over VCOs, LFOs, VCAs, VCFs, and other modulator sections. The intro is well worth the investment!

6 months ago
john rushford

Simple, easy to understand basic course.

Simple, easy to understand basic course.

6 months ago
Imperatrice Claudio

Useful and well-explained

I believe if you're new in this world like me this is a must. in fact I've been taking the classes and checking the topic in the book for reinforcement. Thank you Chris.

10 months ago
Hans Karlsson

Great introduction

Explained things in a way that was easy to understand. Waiting for the book so I can get started doing some patch learning.

2 years ago
Steve Vasquez-Grinnell

Simple and effective

I had some familiarity with the concepts, but they were simply and elegantly presented here and I gained a new and different perspective. Great intro.

2 years ago
See more reviews

Enroll Now!

Free

  • Free access to The Basic Concepts of Synthesis

Free

When you enroll in this course you will also be added to the Learning Modular email list. You will receive a monthly newsletter plus word about new courses when they become available or are on sale. There will be an Unsubscribe link at the bottom of those emails if you wish to not receive them.

Instructor:

Chris Meyer

I fell in love with the sound and possibilities of electronic music at a young age. I took synthesis lessons as a teen in the 1970s, learning on a modular Steiner-Parker Synthasystem. A kit-based PAiA modular was my dorm room companion in college. Soon after I graduated, I got a job at Sequential Circuits, where I contributed to several instruments and created Vector Synthesis. I went on to work for Digidesign, Marion Systems (Tom Oberheim), and was the chief engineer at Roland R&D US.

I’ve always enjoyed sharing what I’ve learned. I taught synthesis at UCLA Extension, was the technical editor for Music Technology and Recording magazines, and wrote a column for Keyboard magazine. I continue today, co-writing Patch & Tweak – the new book on modular synthesis – with Kim Bjørn, and maintaining a Patreon channel for beginning to advanced users. I also regularly play modular music live under the name Alias Zone, plus jam with others.

I also have a lot of experience creating online training. Before I started Learning Modular, I recorded nearly 50 online courses on creating graphics for television and film for lynda.com (now LinkedIn Learning). I've brought this experience of how to teach a difficult, technical subject in a patient, step-by-step manner to my modular synthesis courses.

© 2025 Learning Modular