Histories of the Modular Synthesizer
This is post 12 of 13 in the series “Synth Pioneers” This series highlights pioneers in electronic music. It is not intended to be a deep dive, but rather a jumping off point for further exploration. I welcome your comments and insights on any of the posts, and welcome any additional information you might come…
Modular … Thoughts Revisited
Several months ago, I wrote a piece outlining four reasons that I no longer wanted to build a modular rig. But, as I write this post today, on the sixth anniversary of the death of Keith Emerson, I’ve had a bit of a change of heart.
Learn About Modular Without Breaking The Bank
Have you got the modular synthesis bug, but don’t want to shell out a ton of money, only to find out it’s not for you? I know that I’ve mentioned the free VCV Rack software in the past, and used it in a video to demonstrate how ring modulation works. But if you’re just learning,…
Suzanne Ciani — Electronic Musician, Composer, Sound Designer
I find it interesting that, while her instruments are newer and she has embraced a workflow that incorporates both Buchla modular synths and computer and iPad apps, her core approach to creation remains as it was nearly 50 years ago.
Some [Over]simplified Science of Sound Synthesis – Ring Modulation
Following a recent Discord discussion of Ring Modulation in sound synthesis, I put together a little video demonstration of the something called “ring modulation.” In synthesizers, this is a method of using one audio source to modify, or modulate, another. It’s also the basis of amplitude modulation. Think AM radio. It’s also the basis of…
Four Reasons Why I No Longer Want a Modular Synth
[Here,] in a bag of mixed nuts, are four reasons that I’ve let go of a nearly fifty-year-old dream to own a modular synthesizer.