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Analog Synthesizers: Understanding, Performing, Buying : from the Legacy of Moog to Software Synthesis
In this book, the technical explanation of the nature of analog sound creation is followed by the story of its birth and its subsequent development by various designers, manufacturers and performers.
The individual components of analog sound creation are then examined in detail, with step by step examples of sound creation techniques. Then the modern imitative analog instruments are examined, again with detailed instructions for programming and using them, and the book is completed with appendices listing the major instrument lines available, hints on values and purchasing, other sources of information, and a discography of readily available recordings which give good examples of analog sound synthesis.
The CD which accompanies the book gives many examples of analog sound creation basics as well as more advanced techniques, and of the abilities of the individual instruments associated with classical and with imitative analog sound synthesis.
The individual components of analog sound creation are then examined in detail, with step by step examples of sound creation techniques. Then the modern imitative analog instruments are examined, again with detailed instructions for programming and using them, and the book is completed with appendices listing the major instrument lines available, hints on values and purchasing, other sources of information, and a discography of readily available recordings which give good examples of analog sound synthesis.
The CD which accompanies the book gives many examples of analog sound creation basics as well as more advanced techniques, and of the abilities of the individual instruments associated with classical and with imitative analog sound synthesis.
- GenresMusicNonfiction
322 pages, Paperback
First published August 2, 2007
10 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Mark Jenkins
3 books1 followerLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Mark Jenkins has written about electronic music for Melody Maker, International Musician, Keyboard Player (UK), Keyboard (USA), and many other publications. He has performed and recorded solo and with members of Tangerine Dream, Can, Gong, White Noise, and Van Der Graaf Generator in the UK, USA, Europe, Brazil, Russia, and China, at venues including the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the London Planetarium, the Carnegie Science Center Pittsburgh, the Vanderbilt Planetarium, and the Teatro Nacional in Brazil.
Mark Jenkins has written about electronic music for Melody Maker, International Musician, Keyboard Player (UK), Keyboard (USA), and many other publications. He has performed and recorded solo and with members of Tangerine Dream, Can, Gong, White Noise, and Van Der Graaf Generator in the UK, USA, Europe, Brazil, Russia, and China, at venues including the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the London Planetarium, the Carnegie Science Center Pittsburgh, the Vanderbilt Planetarium, and the Teatro Nacional in Brazil.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 7, 2013
really good basic book on the history of synthesizers with emphasis on conceptually
the difference between the different models as time passes. the book also discusses the
two schools synth playing.
1. the pre-produced prog rock intricate lines school where you cannot make a mistake.
2. the relaxed style of just responding to what you were hearing in the moment,
trying to play without thinking with emphasis on mood/atmosphere.
i have operated a large buchla 100 modular, a EMS synthi AKS, CS80, Jupiter 8, Prophet 10, and dozens of
other obscure synths for decades so this book is right up my alley in helping me solidify my knowledge. i'd
recommend this book to anyone needing info on which vintage synths are best and why. another great
part of this book is the explaining what are the drawbacks of each of these synths as well.
on the downside you learn very little about each synth. at most a few paragraphs on development then
one paragraph on the pluses and minuses and how they sold. but the paucity of books on this big subject
requires one to take what one can get. i shot the cover of mark vail's vintage synth book (i am a photographer
as well) and that is a nice book too. just buy the earlier version with the cool looking cover. :)
the difference between the different models as time passes. the book also discusses the
two schools synth playing.
1. the pre-produced prog rock intricate lines school where you cannot make a mistake.
2. the relaxed style of just responding to what you were hearing in the moment,
trying to play without thinking with emphasis on mood/atmosphere.
i have operated a large buchla 100 modular, a EMS synthi AKS, CS80, Jupiter 8, Prophet 10, and dozens of
other obscure synths for decades so this book is right up my alley in helping me solidify my knowledge. i'd
recommend this book to anyone needing info on which vintage synths are best and why. another great
part of this book is the explaining what are the drawbacks of each of these synths as well.
on the downside you learn very little about each synth. at most a few paragraphs on development then
one paragraph on the pluses and minuses and how they sold. but the paucity of books on this big subject
requires one to take what one can get. i shot the cover of mark vail's vintage synth book (i am a photographer
as well) and that is a nice book too. just buy the earlier version with the cool looking cover. :)
June 21, 2010
A great reference piece, with details into the foundation of sound, synthesis and construction. Mark elaborates on his personal accounts with analog and digital instruments from first Moog to the more accessible 90's digital Rolands. Covers music theory, principles and characteristics of sound and how we perceive music. This is a must for anyone working with sound/music. An informative and friendly but in depth approach. Includes a CD of various sounds from Mellotron to Oberheim to Wasp.
July 27, 2020
Excellent overview of analog synths from underlying operating principles on up to notable hardware with excellent tips and examples provided along the way.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews