Learning Modular Synthesis

Learn how to put together a modular synthesis system and program a wide variety of sounds with commonly available modules.

Introduction

• Welcome
• How we got here
• Fundamental concept: Harmonics & sound
• Fundamental concept: Voltage control (CV + gate)

1. Putting a System Together

• The standard formats
• The core building blocks
• Playing your modular synth
• Getting sound in and out
• Case and power supply issues

2. Learning Subtractive Synthesis

• Patching a typical synthesizer “voice”
• Tuning voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs)
• The basic analog waveforms
• Sine waves and drum sounds
• Digital wavetable oscillators
• The voltage controlled low-pass filter (VCF)
• The difference between filter slopes
• Filter resonance (feedback)
• Other common filter modes (HP, BP, and Notch)
• Envelope types (ADSR, AD, AR, and DADSR)
• Linear vs. exponential envelope shapes
• Low-frequency oscillator (LFO) waveshapes
• Pulse width modulation (PWM)
• Vibrato with LFO sync and delay
• Tremolo and voltage-controlled amplifiers (VCAs)
• Some alternate modulation sources

3. Exploring Alternate Techniques

• Oscillator sync
• Exponential frequency modulation (FM)
• Linear through-zero FM
• Ring modulation (AM)
• Waveshaping
• Low-pass gates (LPG)
• Sample & hold (S/H)
• Phase shifting
• Analog and digital delays
• Effects loops
• Processing external sounds
• Other synthesis techniques

Conclusion

• Onward