Have recently been reading the most excellent series "Synth Secrets" to further my knowledge in synth programming and help create a stronger bonding with a modular synth i have on order.

This got me thinking, is there a complete publication of this series available to purchase?
If not, would SOS consider a publication?

I for one would most certainly purchase, and it would be a pleasure to give something back to something that has been such a valuable resource, and is free aswell!!

Not to mention it would be a great reference book to have around the the studio or at home, hell it might even make one appear clever to others when reading it!

Cheers
James H

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Seconded

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yup, I'd buy it too.

This is something that we have considered on occasions in the office, but have always dismissed it because we perceive the likely size of those willing to pay for a book would not be sufficient to justify its production.

I suggest you contact the publisher directly to express your interest in a book format, and if it can be shown that there is sufficient public interest to do it, it might happen...

In the meantime, all the separate sections are accessible on the web site.

Hugh

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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound

I'd buy one

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Kasha - Picture a beautiful life

i'd print it off the website and stick it in a binder.

Quote Hugh Robjohns:

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I suggest you contact the publisher directly to express your interest in a book format, and if it can be shown that there is sufficient public interest to do it, it might happen...

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How about we continue this thread as a sticky for a line of signatures and then refer it to the publisher?

I cannot perceive everybody who would consider buying this book would go to the trouble of contacting the publisher.


Edited by Gigjam Shines (22/02/05 10:49 PM)

i second that i will buy it

I'd buy the thing aswell, I think this subject has been brought up a couple of times before on the last forum also.

I'd buy it just to have a proper index. i use the downloads a lot.

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www.myspace.com/benjunctionbox

Can I make a suggestion, Hugh? How about compiling Synth Secrets into a PDF and making it available to buy online - then its up to the user whether or not they print it out or view it, etc.

You could create a high res version for print and a lower res for screen, then users have the choice which one to go for.

You can keep costs down for yourselves and for the buyer this way - once its compiled you'd just need the server space and bandwith, is that right more or less?

I think its a good idea now that remakes of all the major synths are coming through... and if you choose to, any additions could be made available as and when for a little extra cash.

Perhaps it could be emailed out or burned to CD, like the end-of-year compilation.

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"There's only 45 degrees between the Hitler and the Zombie" - me, Saturday night, in front of the speakers

I like the idea of a PDF giving everything in one document, but would be likely to buy a paper copy if the PDF was not available.

I did spend a couple of days one time working through the series with the synths in Reaktor 3. Very instructive.

Michael

Quote markoos:

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Can I make a suggestion, Hugh? How about compiling Synth Secrets into a PDF and making it available to buy online - then its up to the user whether or not they print it out or view it, etc.

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We sell a series of Back Issue CD-ROMs via our online shop, which are all PDF-based, from 2004 back to 1998 (although 2000 is sold out at the moment) and these include most of the parts of Gordon reid's long-running Synth Secrets series.

The CD-ROMs are £29.95 + postage each, and include every other article published in that year too, but for subscribers we sell them at a HUGE £20 discount, making them £9.95 each (a bargain!).

See www.soundonsound.com/shop for more info/ordering etc.

I had thought about putting all of the series together into one disc and selling those online too, but the demand has to be there to warrant the production and pressing cost of a 2,000 run (not worth doing less than this).

Ian G

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SOS Gear Videos now screening on www.SoundOnSound.tv
SOS Podcasts

Come on guys, it's gotta be a book... a doorstop of a hardback!!

"Synth Secrets" by Sound on Sound (World's Leading Music Tech Magazine).....hell, i bet this thing would even make its way into colleges!!

We need to get more support, tell everyone who might be interested to sign here !!!

Hello - I think it's an excellent idea - it would be even better - though presumably even more costly and unfeasible - if it was a set of books that were of a reasonable size to lounge and read, rather than the usual 1500 page super tome.

Seriously though - I'd have a copy. Book definately, CD ..well, yes, but a second best, no question.

Cheers.

I'd buy it, book or CD

JofO.

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I cna tpye 300 wrods per mniute

I'd buy it.

I'd buy this in book form, but not in .pdf form.

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"We hate all those who diss them, but shot all those who like them"

I'd definitely buy it. Would have to be a book, not a .pdf because I would read it when travelling, last thing at night etc.

I tried downloading and printing our all the articles, but it makes a big scruffy heap of paper and I got bored half way thru.

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Instant gratification is actually pretty good. It's fast as well.

Yup, me too - but a printed copy only.

I have every Synth-Secrets form number 1 till the end and have made my own book by taping the pages from all my old SOS mags

IT IS HUGE !!

But Perfect for my monster modular system

I'll post a pic soon

The only things that are 'available' in a similar vein are old texts like the Allen Strange book the Dehvahri and the Roland, EMU and Moog books
These are all WAY OUT OF DATE ! and do not come ANYWHERE near the detail and comprehensiveness of Gordons Series - ( I have all of these books )

Gordons 'Synth Secrets' IS THE BIBLE - it is simply UNSERPASSED

Thats why I've been slaving to assemble my own complete book

Beer

"Gordons 'Synth Secrets' IS THE BIBLE - it is simply UNSERPASSED"


Nice one Beer!

"Synth Bible" by Sound on Sound (Worlds Leading Music Tech Magazine).

Right, listen up Mr Publisher!!

book! book! book! book! book! book! book!

Definitely a book.

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If it takes more than a minute, bin it.

Quote Michael W:

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I did spend a couple of days one time working through the series with the synths in Reaktor 3. Very instructive.

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I've been doing the same myself gradually (well, Reaktor v4 in my case but the same thing really). I wouldn't hesitate in buying a book version if it was available. Well, unless it was incredibly expensive

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http://www.jeremycorbett.co.uk

I would also buy it, but only as a proper book.

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The Aquavelvas Netlabel

I thought it was inevitable this would come out as a book eventually - given the lack of decent synth programming books out there it just has to be!

I would gladly sell my house, all my possessions and even my wife for a book version of this excellent series

count me in! Where do I sign up lol - other than here - can't find the sticky! Doh!

I'd prefer a book, one volume so it's all together, but would buy cd or pdf if that was the only available format.

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Define the moment, or the moment defines you.

You should be pleased to know that http://www.noisesculpture.com/ have just a week ago made a 116 pages PDF on progamming synths/ sound design for free (or $10 including a preset bank for the mentioned synths).

It uses examples from Rhino, Z3ta, Wusikstation, Vanguard and Cameleon 5000. 5 of the best softsynth available today. But it will come in handy even if you don't have those synths.

Yep, I'd buy it too. A quick flick through Amazon shows there are plenty of other books on synthesis out there, so there must be a market for them and we know this would be the most comprehensive by far.

It would be a real shame if it was not published as a proper book. For one thing it would make a great text book for students of synthesis, and now the whole world and his dog is studying music technology you've got a guaranteed audience.

Matt

yup, would buy it... in a book, would be nice..

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Didn't your mother ever tell you not to eat nuclear warheads?

I would prefer a book but a pdf would be fine as a fall back position. Wizoo also have a book out based on the Reaktor modular.

book please!

i vote for a kind of binder book thing. Like the micro modular manual if anyone's got one of them.

bulley

yes i agree.

i'd probably get round to buying it eventually, as with most other synth books that do the rounds.

but to be attractive, it should be spiral-bound, so that it can lie flat while you're fiddling with your knobs.

it should also be interspersed with high quality colour photos of synths for the reader to drool over.

and it should be wipe-clean.

and it should have some easy-to-follow summaries of how to produce particular types of sound (e.g. how you would usually get an organ sound, a string sound, a squelch sound and so on) as a supplement to the more in-depth explanations which the articles consist of.

Let me take you back in time folks: < cue pentatonic harp glissandos >

Once upon a time there was a popular music publication called Music Technology that then re-branded to be called 'M.T,' - during this time a monthly feature that started called A to Z of analogue Synthesizers written by then contributer and respeccted voice - Peter Forest. This series continued for FOUR years before becoming the duel volumes of analogues synth knowledge that are unserpassed the WOLRD OVER .

Same Meat, different gravey

Synth Secrets could easily become a two volume publication. There are more people than ever that are into Virtual modular synths and more than any other time thoes of us that want to pay for a new modular synth can have one at a price that is accessable than at any other time !

There IS Such a Market for it - Maybe SOS should concider a sub publisher if they are too dumb or too out of touch to see the potential of a full publication - I for one would buy four copies - one for my hom analogue suite, one for my work studio , one for the bedside table and a kitchen copy too !

Do IT SOS - You're NUTS, I REPEAT NUTTTTTTTSS if you don't.

Beer

( do the right thing or we'll send the boyz round )

Yes I'd buy it - count me in.

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Dual 500MHz G4, Mbox and a wish list.

I would buy it too goddamit.

I would buy the book, not the pdf. I can't read pdfs in the bath