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Chapter 3 - Synthesisers, samplers and drum machines

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2012

Julio d'Escriván
Julio d'Escriván
Affiliation:
Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge
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Summary

In this chapter we look at basic synthesis concepts and discuss their practicalities for musicians. We will review the different synthesis methods and the most common elements of modules that are found in synthesisers, and look at some practicalities of sampling and drum machines.

Sound synthesis

Since the appearance of programmable synthesiser keyboards in popular music, performers, composers and producers have gradually developed a new musical skill: sound programming. Today, anybody interested in electronic music needs to have a grasp of synthesis. In a sense we could say that learning about oscillators, filters and envelopes is to an electronic musician what learning scales is to a traditional musician. For this reason, in the following sections I would like to introduce you to some basic concepts of sound synthesis.

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Music Technology , pp. 72 - 88
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

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