Power Tools for Synthesizer Programming

by Jim Aikin

From hit records to home studios, synthesizers are used in almost every genre of music. This book fills the know-how gap left by skimpy or garbled owner's manuals. [Note: This is the first edition. The second edition has new and updated information in many areas.] It maps out the components of contemporary synths in clear, concise detail, and discusses how they can be harnessed to achieve specific musical effects. Each chapter presents hands-on projects that help musicians hone their skills. The companion CDROM contains audio examples that teach programming techniques.

Genres: Music

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Jim Aikin (born in 1948 as James Douglas Aikin) is an American science fiction writer based in California. He is also a music technology writer, an interactive fiction writer, freelance editor and writer, cellist, composer, and teacher. He has in the past written hundreds of articles for various music industry magazines, including Electronic Musician, Keyboard Magazine, and Mix. His modular analog synthesizer is close enough to his writing desk that he can reach out and touch it.

Aikin sold his first fiction story to Fantasy & Science Fiction where it appeared in the February 1981 issue.

Reviews

[J.R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now that I can work the examples with my synth this book is very illuminating. I have to say that taking the time to do the examples with your own equipment is really worth it. Today I found myself saying "I don't get it" as I did one of the problems. A little research in my manuals showed me that I was missing a setting and basically having no effect at all. Hence the "can't hear it." Once I fixed that the example became very clear very fast.

Overall this book's value is covering the basics of programming analog synths. The cover mentions FM but it's only really glossed over. While I feel the author did a good job covering his subject, I think the editors should have tightened the writing a bit. That's not really a big deal in a technical book though.

I guess I'll have to find another book on FM programming.

[Roberto · Rating 5 out of 5]

gr8

[Hlöðver Sigurðsson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was, without knowing it, over experienced for this book. So it was alot of basic stuff that was already very familiar to me. But none the less, very good book for any beginner in electronic music.

[G. Michael Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good and not too esoteric breakdown of how synthesis actually works.