4/2/2023 0 Comments Syntorial key gen![]() Hour 3 is about modulation in all of its forms. I also show how to make sounds dynamic by adding LFOs, ADSRs, and more VCAs. (Not FM yet) The details vary with the equipment I'm teaching on, but the key takeaway is that you can think of a filter as a spectral cookie cutter, but if you don't start with enough dough, you won't get a proper cookie. The next hour covers filters and combinations of oscillators. (They would also diagram basic beep on an exam.) I encouraged my students to begin patching with basic beep when they start their studio time (They had 4 - 8 hours private studio time a week.) This ensures they have the synth patched to the monitors, and makes them comfortable with the action of patching. Gates/trigs are commands to do something.Īll this takes about an hour. After a discussion of the difference between triggers and gates, I review what's in the patch cords, which I classify according to use: Finally, I take a trigger from the keyboard to complete the beep. I prefer envelope generators with a trigger button for this. Next I replace the LFO with an envelope generator, which I introduce as an oscillator that only "oscs" once. While demonstrating the VCA, I connect an LFO and show the effect of CV on amplitude. The key takeaway is that a VCA is really voltage controlled attenuator that defaults to off. The oscillator has been running continuously (often quietly) as I do this, so the next step is presenting the VCA as a way of shutting the oscillator up. I then replace the LFO with the keyboard and discuss the difference between a changing CV and a steady one. Next I hook up an LFO to show how CV affects frequency. The key takeaway is that the oscillator runs continuously. I begin by demonstrating an oscillator, showing how to adjust the frequency, and discussing the various waveforms. My approach is always the same, something I call "basic beep". When I taught this for a living, I'd spend two weeks (8 hours of class) on modular synthesis. Stick an oscillator into a clock divider or something. Then show them the true meaning of modular by breaking all the rules you just explained. E.g some are audio source modules, some generate CVs and some are designed to process or filter CVs and audio. Maybe briefly explain the types of modules. I find that that’s usually enough for people to get the gist of how modular works. A square wave will function like an on off switch. E.g a sine wave has a slow rising and falling effect. Show the effects of different types of CV. Voltages are the shared language of a modular system.ģ) Examples: I usually use a VCO and the V/Oct on an oscillator to demonstrate how CVs can be used. You can use these voltages to basically twist any of the many knobs and dials you see all over the place. The y-axis in the oscilloscope represents the voltage. What’s the use of something you can’t hear? Well it’s still sending a voltage. Sine, triangle, saw, square should be enough.Ģ) LFO and CV: Demostrate that an oscillator can run below audio rate. Use an oscillator that has multiple waveform outputs and LFO capability. I recommend explaining things in the following order.ġ) Waveforms: easy to visualise and hear. I’m still fairly new to modular and synthesis and on a number of occasions people who have seen my modular rig have asked me to explain it to them so I’ve had some practice. What else would fit into the beginner category? Or intermediate? Expert? What would logically follow on from this? So, I thought, what is the most basic thing I need to know in order to use a modular synth? I know a lot of these things can be found on our many famous YouTuber's channels, but I thought it would be good to have series that went from start to finish, almost like the much popularised series of Sound on Sound articles. I guess the goal might be to produce a series of short videos that build upon the prior learning. ![]() I put my teacher head on and had a thought about what this might look like as a progression of skills, leading from the absolute basics, to intermediate and high level wiggling. I also noticed that once you've got your head around the basics there isn't much out there for the intermediate wiggler like myself, and I'm always trying to learn. I've been trying to think of a good way to teach people who might be looking into get into modular - thinking from the viewpoint of people who already know a bit about synthesis.
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