It's hard to believe there was ever a time when synthesizers did not come with zillions of built-in effects processors and treatments to enhance the innate raw sound of the synthesis engine available, but there was! Discover the history and gain valuable advice on making the most of onboard effects.
Synth FX: Part 1
These days, a new synth without some form of DSP effects processing is almost unthinkable — but it wasn't always like that. Paul Wiffen traces the introduction of effects on synthesizers and looks at making the most of the early implementations.
Synth FX: Part 2
In Part 1, we saw how manufacturers realised that putting DSP effects on synths made for great sales. Subsequently, they twigged that it was also a good idea to let us take them off again (selectively), and route and adjust them ourselves.
Synth FX: Part 3
Having looked at the history and development of built-in effects on synths over the last decade and a half, Paul Wiffen now explores the practicalities of using them, and how to get the best from the keyboards and modules which contain them.