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Author:   Mark Vail
Publisher:   Oxford University Press Inc
Imprint:   Oxford University Press Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 21.30cm , Height: 3.30cm , Length: 27.70cm
Weight:   0.930kg
ISBN:  

9780195394894

ISBN 10:   0195394895
Pages:   432
Publication Date:   27 March 2014
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
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Table of Contents

Foreword by Michelle Moog-Koussa Preface About the Companion Website 1. Trendsetting All-Stars Control Sound Performance Interface Composition 2. Acoustics & Synthesis Basics Real-World Acoustics Types of Synthesis Audio Sources: Oscillators, Noise, & More VCAs, Envelopes, & LFOs Envelope Followers & Pitch-to-Voltage Converters Filters EQs & Filter Banks Analog Sequencers Arpeggiators Reverb Analog Delay Digital Delay Loopers Other Effects 3. Choosing Your Synthesizer(s) What's Your Budget? Musical Tastes & Goals Hardware vs. Software Portability & Power Programmability: Pros & Cons Expandability As Others Have Done Perspective Modular Synthesizers in the 21st Century An Overview Modular Synth Shopping More on Eurorack Modular More on FracRak Modular More on Serge Modular Connectivity Convincing Analog & MIDI Synths to Coexist MIDI-to-CV Conversion CV-to-MIDI Conversion Controllers Synths & Controllers with Keyboards Alternative Controllers Wind Controllers Touch Controllers Hand-Held Controllers Struck Controllers Controllers for Microtonal Tunings 4. Composition, Programming, & Performance Techniques Composition Scoring to Picture Composing for Living Art Following Through on a Thought Sage Advice from a Master Scoring with Intent, Even When Intimidated Patching, a.k.a. Programming Encouraging Synthesists' Creativity When & How to Experiment with Sounds The Good & Bad of Non-Programmability Programming for Progress Fun with Modular Synths Layering Synth Sounds Programming for Expression Performance Tools of the Trade Dependence on the Tried & True, but Moving Forward Modular Apparitions Defying the Dependence on Visuals 5. Recording the Synthesizer As It Was & How It's Become for the Switched-On Innovator Serial vs. Random-Access Media Strategies for Recording Film & TV Scores Harnessing the Power of Modular Synths with Ableton Live Automated Mixing Outboard Processing: Preparing Audio for Recording Recording Direct & Expanding for Surround-Sound Appendix: Selected Bibliography, Museums & Films, Manufacturers, Blogs, Dealers & Stores Index

Reviews

Synthesizers are wonderful musical instruments that cover a very wide range of implementations and uses. Mark Vails The Synthesizer is a must-read for anyone who has interest in learning about these engineering marvels. It is a great introduction if you are new to synths, but also very informative and up-to-date for the seasoned synth player. Dave Smith, Dave Smith Instruments A hugely detailed, exhaustively researched and splendidly idiosyncratic work which nails its extensive subject matter. Mark Vail enthusiastically charts the development of the synthesizer from the Trautonium to the latest software instruments, and also gives us valuable insights and tips from leading electronic composers, including legendary synth pioneer Wendy Carlos. Dave Stewart, Keyboardist In the past few decades, the synthesizer has finally come of age. Mark Vail's extensive work documents this journey from its austere and rarified beginnings to its present technologically sophisticated state. His well-illustrated book is filled with anecdotes and insights, amazing successes and ridiculous flops, expert advice on how to roll your own, lots of commentary on artists, their gear and their methodology, and finally, a guide to recording and disseminating your own musical masterpieces. Stash this volume where its easy to get to; you'll be using it a lot. Don Buchla, Composer and Instrument Designer, Berkeley, California Mark Vail is the best explainer and historian of music synthesizers that I know. I highly recommend this book, which is a whole lot of fun to read. Roger Linn, Roger Linn Design

Mark Vail is the best explainer and historian of music synthesizers that I know. I highly recommend this book, which is a whole lot of fun to read. * Roger Linn, Roger Linn Design * In the past few decades, the synthesizer has finally come of age. Mark Vail's extensive work documents this journey from its austere and rarified beginnings to its present technologically sophisticated state. His well-illustrated book is filled with anecdotes and insights, amazing successes and ridiculous flops, expert advice on how to roll your own, lots of commentary on artists, their gear and their methodology, and finally, a guide to recording and disseminating your own musical masterpieces. Stash this volume where its easy to get to; you'll be using it a lot. * Don Buchla, Composer and Instrument Designer, Berkeley, California * A hugely detailed, exhaustively researched and splendidly idiosyncratic work which nails its extensive subject matter. Mark Vail enthusiastically charts the development of the synthesizer from the Trautonium to the latest software instruments, and also gives us valuable insights and tips from leading electronic composers, including legendary synth pioneer Wendy Carlos. * Dave Stewart, Keyboardist * Synthesizers are wonderful musical instruments that cover a very wide range of implementations and uses. Mark Vails The Synthesizer is a must-read for anyone who has interest in learning about these engineering marvels. It is a great introduction if you are new to synths, but also very informative and up-to-date for the seasoned synth player. * Dave Smith, Dave Smith Instruments *

Author Information

Building on his life-long interest in music, Mark Vail discovered synthesizers in 1973 and bought his first in 1976. After earning an MFA in electronic music in 1983, he served on the editorial staff at Keyboard magazine from 1988 to 2001. The author of Vintage Synthesizers and The Hammond Organ: Beauty in the B, Mark is internationally acknowledged as a foremost authority on synthesizers.

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