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

4.8

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Baris

Great for a beginning.

Highly concentrated on the most important elements. Thanks Chris.

2 months ago
dmarc

Amazing introduction!

For those who hesitate to get the paid courses I can guarantee you that the other stuff is even better and deeper. Check Chris' YouTube channel to get a feeling. Chris' skills as an educator are singular and he lacks even the slightest trace of elitism or unexplained jargon in his teachings. You can learn everything with his courses alone (while the book is an amazing addition). I really doubt I would have ever sustained learning modular synthesis without his material. Thanks, Chris!

2 months ago
Adam

Fast track!

Extremely clear and quick; a solid foundation. Great job.

4 months ago
Luca

Simple and clear!

After only few weeks orientation in the new amazing world of modular synth, mostly addicted to VCV rack, i still feel in the need of some basics, and these was very helpful! Thx!

5 months ago
Viesturs

disappointed

And that's it? This is all you get for free? No wonder all the modules cost so much. its all just about money again! Chris replies: Yes: This course, plus the preview movies for the other course, plus my YouTube channel youtube.com/learningmodular, the learningmodular.com web site, and some other movies and software are free. (And I emailed you links to some additional free resources to explore.) Modules, which require actual expense to create and distribute, as well as my other courses, which I spent a lot of time and money creating, recording, editing, and hosting, do cost something to create, and the creators would like to at least not go broke making them available to others. It's an unfortunate reality of this particular world.

6 months ago
Stefan

Helpful

Very good introduction to some basic concepts, explained in detail.

7 months ago
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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 writing module reviews for Synth & Software. 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.

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