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Synthesis / Sound Design

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    Kent Spong: vintage instrument restorer.

    Restoring Analogue Synthesizers

    Kent Spong

    Vintage synths are objects of fascination to musicians and collectors alike. But keeping them alive takes a special kind of expertise...

    Techniques Jun 2013
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    Creating & Using Synth Pad Sounds

    Synthesis Workshop

    Ah, the 80s... Fluorescent socks, marble-wash jeans, and naff-sounding synth pads! You might not want to resurrect the first two, but subtle use of pads can improve even the most contemporary-sounding mix.

    Techniques May 2010
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    Creating & Using Synth Pad Sounds | Audio

    Audio Examples From Pad Sounds May 2010

    These files accompany the Cubase Technique Filter Sweeps workshop for SOS May 2010 (/...

    Techniques May 2010
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    Warmer Sounds From Digital Synths

    Processing Techniques

    If your plug-in synths sound a bit cold and clinical, there are plenty of ways to inject some life...

    Techniques Jan 2010
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    The SOS Guide To Choosing A Modular Synth

    Plug & Play

    No longer the preserve of men in laboratories or capes, the modular synth business is thriving, and i'ts now easier to go modular than ever before. Read on and we will show you how...

    Techniques Apr 2009
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    Graham Wrench: The Story Of Daphne Oram’s Optical Synthesizer

    Oramics

    In the early 60s, pioneering British composer Daphne Oram set out to create a synthesizer unlike any other. The engineer who turned her ideas into reality was Graham Wrench.

    People Feb 2009
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    The Story Of The BBC Radiophonic Workshop

    Founded in 1958

    50 years ago this month, the most celebrated electronic music studio in the world was established. We trace the history of the Radiophonic Workshop, talking to the composers and technical staff who helped to create its unique body of work.

    People Apr 2008
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    Granular Synthesis

    How It Works & Ways To Use It

    Granular synthesis is the core technology behind the latest time-stretching and pitch-shifting algorithms, but it can also be used to generate extraordinary evolving soundscapes. We explain how the process works and show you how to get the best from the software that uses it.

    Techniques Dec 2005
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    Alesis Ion User Tips

    Programming Guide

    Although the Ion is already well-respected for its sound quality, its synthesis architecture is also surprisingly flexible. We show you how to get the best from this little beast in your studio.

    Techniques Oct 2004
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    Access Virus Masterclass

    Synth Programming Techniques

    Although the Access Virus features one of the most knobby control surfaces amongst virtual analogue synths, there's a lot of programming flexibility available which isn't immediately obvious. We show you how to uncover the hidden possibilities?

    Techniques Aug 2004
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    The Secret Of The Big Red Button

    Synth Secrets

    After more than five years, Synth Secrets reaches its conclusion (and conclusions!). Will we ever look at synthesis in quite the same way again?

    Techniques Jul 2004
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    More Creative Synthesis With Delays

    Synth Secrets

    In the penultimate instalment of this long-running series, we delve deeper into what can be achieved with just a few delays and some creative routing...

    Techniques Jun 2004
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    Creative Synthesis With Yamaha XG (Part 3)

    XG Masterclass

    In this final instalment of our series of XG programming tips, we take a look at how the advanced modulation parameters can bring your layered sounds to life.

    Techniques Jun 2004
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    Creative Synthesis With Yamaha XG (Part 2)

    XG Masterclass

    Layering voices is one of the best ways to maximise the potential of your XG sound module, so here are a variety of ingenious ways you can use this technique — you can even turn your synth into a high-spec step sequencer!

    Techniques May 2004
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    Creative Synthesis With Delays

    Synth Secrets

    Effects can play just as important a role in sound creation as the elements in a synth's signal path — provided you have access to their constituent parts. We take a closer look at effects synthesis using simple delays.

    Techniques May 2004
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    Creative Synthesis With Yamaha XG (Part 1)

    XG Masterclass

    There are lots of XG-format synthesizers in home studios, but their General MIDI heritage discourages many owners from using them. However, there's life in your XG module yet if you're willing to explore its hidden depths.

    Techniques Apr 2004
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    From Analogue To Digital Effects

    Synth Secrets

    When synthesizing sounds, the effects you place after your synth's output are often as important as the synth itself (just think of last month's Leslie). As we near the end of Synth Secrets, we consider how a digital effects processor works.

    Techniques Apr 2004
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    Synthesizing The Rest Of The Hammond Organ: Part 2

    Synth Secrets

    We conclude our analysis of the fabulously complex beast that is the Leslie rotary speaker.

    Techniques Mar 2004
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    Synthesizing The Rest Of The Hammond Organ: Part 1

    Synth Secrets

    As with so much surrounding the Hammond organ, there's much more to the Leslie rotary speaker than meets the eye, and synthesizing its effects involves considerably more than just adding vibrato, as we find out in this installment.

    Techniques Feb 2004
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    Roland XV & JV Power User Tips: Part 4

    Programming Masterclass

    In the final part of our series on Roland's family of sound modules, we show you how the more advanced synthesis parameters can breathe life into your patches.

    Techniques Feb 2004
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    Roland XV & JV Power User Tips: Part 3

    Programming Masterclass

    We show you how to edit and save your synth's Patches, and help you maximise the effects potential of your multitimbral setups. Plus there's advice on troubleshooting thorny panning problems, and tips on automating levels without changing your individual sounds.

    Techniques Jan 2004

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