Analog Synthesizers

Analog Synthesizers

by Mark Jenkins
Released October 2009
Publisher(s): Focal Press
ISBN: 9781136122774

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Book description

In this book, the technical explanation of the nature of analog sound creation is followed by the story of its birth and its subsequent development by various designers, manufacturers and performers.

The individual components of analog sound creation are then examined in detail, with step by step examples of sound creation techniques. Then the modern imitative analog instruments are examined, again with detailed instructions for programming and using them, and the book is completed with appendices listing the major instrument lines available, hints on values and purchasing, other sources of information, and a discography of readily available recordings which give good examples of analog sound synthesis.

The CD which accompanies the book gives many examples of analog sound creation basics as well as more advanced techniques, and of the abilities of the individual instruments associated with classical and with imitative analog sound synthesis.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Halftitle
  3. Title
  4. Copyright
  5. Contents
  6. Acknowledgements
  7. About the author
  8. Introduction – what’s so great about analog?
  9. Chapter 1 What is analog?
    1. Sound
    2. Frequency
    3. Loudness
    4. Wave shape
    5. Harmonics and overtones
    6. Noise
    7. Phase
    8. Synthesizer components
    9. Circuit design
    10. Sound design
  10. Chapter 2 Aspects of analog sound
    1. Voltage-controlled oscillator
    2. Voltage-controlled filter
    3. Envelope generator
    4. Voltage-controlled amplifier
    5. Low-frequency oscillator
    6. White noise source
    7. Sample-and-hold
    8. Wave shaper
    9. Ring modulator
    10. Subharmonic oscillator
    11. Resonator
    12. Frequency shifter
    13. Morphing filter
    14. Vocoder
    15. Sequencer
    16. Keyboard
    17. MIDI interface
    18. Assorted modules
  11. Chapter 3 The birth of analog, the manufacturers and the artists
    1. Moog
    2. ARP
    3. EMS
    4. Oberheim
    5. Sequential
    6. Yamaha
    7. Korg
    8. Roland
  12. Chapter 4 The growth of analog
    1. Italy
    2. France
    3. The Netherlands
    4. Japan
    5. United Kingdom
    6. Germany
    7. USA
  13. Chapter 5 Using and programming analog
    1. Classical and avant-garde programmers
    2. Jazz programmers
    3. Pop and TV music programmers
    4. Rock programmers
    5. Pure synthesizer programmers
    6. Techno-pop programmers
    7. Programming for orchestral imitation
    8. Programming rock, pop and electric sounds
    9. Programming abstract sounds
    10. Ten great analog sounds
  14. Chapter 6 The analog revival
  15. Chapter 7 Using and programming virtual analog hardware and software
    1. Virtual analog programming
    2. Virtual oscillators
    3. Virtual filters
    4. Virtual LFOs
    5. Virtual envelopes
    6. Virtual controllers
    7. Alternative applications
    8. Analog software
  16. Appendix A Classic instruments – specifications and values
  17. Appendix B Modern analog and virtual analog hardware instruments
  18. Appendix C Purchasing guide for analog instruments
  19. Appendix D Bibliography
  20. Appendix E Discography
  21. Appendix F Contacts
  22. Appendix G Audio CD tracks
  23. Index

Product information

  • Title: Analog Synthesizers
  • Author(s): Mark Jenkins
  • Release date: October 2009
  • Publisher(s): Focal Press
  • ISBN: 9781136122774