hey guys, seems that whatever happens on skype between jimmy and me ends up here
j/k we have no secrets in our community
anyhow, i thought id give more details about this event. I teach in a big sound college here for several years, and i am leading my own synthesis department. I have thought countless students the inside outs of the modular synthesizer. Here i teach using Synth Maker since not everybody are lucky enough to be able to run mod4+flexor on their systems. Soon we will be switching to FleXor native.
FleXor native is almost ready, and we shall be releasing a public beta soon. this beta is fully operational but is missing small features designated for v1 (more info on that soon). We are planning to make the first beta version available only to current FleXor users for a very special price that will include the full v1 of-course!
A couple of weeks ago the subject of the course i give came up on one of my chats with jimmy. Jimmy asked if i could teach him through the net. i said sure, "we can use skype". After 2 days, jimmy has said he has 2 more people who want to join. And it started snowballing. Since the course here is 60 lessons (
http://www.gogma.com/Synthesis_Course.html ) and it is is designed for complete noobs, i have decided to change the format of the lessons to make it more suitable for people who have modular II. Thats right,
you don't need flexor, modular 4, or any of the fancy stuff to enjoy this course just modular 2.
The first "semester" will be about subtractive synthesis, fm and some additive. after which the students will intimately understand 90% of the synthesizers they meet. At each lesson will have an important synthesizer dissected and constructed in the modular environment.
the syllabus:
0) Introduction
This is a free lesson, an introduction to modular synthesis. Basic concepts, signal types, module types and so on.
1) TB 303
a simple subtractive synthesizer and the guitar of electronic music. This lesson defining the essence of musical behavior, and introduce the first modular patch, and one of the most useful ones.
2) Juno 106
an all time classic synthesizer. This lesson will be delving into modulation concepts, and aesthetics in sound design
3) The additive synthesizer
This lesson is about the most versatile form of synthesis - with which any sound can be made. it is the most fundamental synthesis method and contains basic information on how sound works.
4) FM synthesis
This lesson will be introducing simple FM and Phase Modulation concepts. FM is usually a hard method to master, in this lesson the students will be given useful tips that will help them master this synthesis method.
5) FM synthesis
More on FM synthesizers, complex FM synthesis and aesthetics in FM synthesis.
6) Arp odyssey
This synthesizer has one of the most flexible architectures available. The following lessons will each concentrate on a different aspect of the synthesizer. this lesson will be about the basic architecture of the arp, and advanced modulation concepts
7) Arp odyssey
This lessons will be about sync, pitch modulation(close to FM) and Ring modulation
Arp odyssey
This lesson will be about sample n hold, filter FM, looping envelopes, and sound design aesthetics
9) Modern synthesizers
This lesson will deconstruct the Nord lead and the Virus synthesizers
10) Advanced modular
This lesson will give an array of ideas on how to develop your simple patches into unique creations, and is an introduction to the next semester.
After each lesson the students will be given homework, because synthesis needs practice (after that its like riding a bike).
Jimmy will be managing the rest as he is the engine behind this project.
Thanks Jimmy!
) can helps scanning a short wave file to setup harmonics for you but it doesn't seem to be accurate.