kelpie@fluke.UUCP (Tony Garland) (09/09/85)
I am a neophyte in the area of synthesizers and am soliciting suggestions for a good textbook which deals with the electrical and musical theory behind modern synthesizers. I have a solid hardware and software background and would appreciate a book which goes beyond the very basics and assumes some knowledge of electrical theory. If such a text were to contain some "homebrew" ideas and construction ideas, so much the better. Any and all suggestions from net readers who have seen suitable books would be much appreciated. Tony Garland, N7DX decvax\ John Fluke Mfg Co. ihnp4 >!uw-beaver\ PO Box C9090 allegra >!fluke!kelpie Everett, WA 98206 USA ucbvax >!lbl-csam / (206) 356-5268 hplabs/
bourne@cwruecmp.UUCP (Dave Bourne) (09/11/85)
> I am a neophyte in the area of synthesizers and am soliciting suggestions for > a good textbook which deals with the electrical and musical theory behind > modern synthesizers. I have a solid hardware and software background and would > appreciate a book which goes beyond the very basics and assumes some knowledge > of electrical theory. If such a text were to contain some "homebrew" ideas and > construction ideas, so much the better. > > Any and all suggestions from net readers who have seen suitable books would > be much appreciated. > > Tony Garland, N7DX decvax\ > John Fluke Mfg Co. ihnp4 >!uw-beaver\ > PO Box C9090 allegra >!fluke!kelpie > Everett, WA 98206 USA ucbvax >!lbl-csam / > (206) 356-5268 hplabs/ The following books will probably cover everything you'd like to know: Musical Applications of Microprocessors by Hal Chamberlin Hayden Book Co., 1980, 700+ pgs, paperback, ~$20.00 This book covers both analog and digital synthesis, analog and digital filters, VCOs, VCAs, VCFs. Has lots of "homebrew" circuits...especially the type to be hung off a home computer. Digital synthesis is limited to that which can be done with a typical 8-bit micro-processor, e.g. 6502. Foundations of Computer Music edited by Curtis Roads and John Strawn MIT Press, 1985, 600+ pgs, hardback, ~$50.00 Contains reprints (edited and expanded) from the first three years of Computer Music Journal. Contains such classics as John Chownings original FM synthesis paper. The book is divided into 4 sections: Synthesis theory, Hardware systems (to realize synthesis theory), Software systems (such as music editors, etc.), and finally a miscellaneous section with articles on chorus effects, reverb, etc. Digital Audio Signal Processing edited by John Strawn William Kaufman, 1985, ~300 pgs, hardback, ~$35.00 Contains some edited and expanded reprints as well as specially commissioned articles. A good math/ engineering background helps. The first two chapters offer a refresher course in digital signal processing and digital filtering. There is an article on "spiral synthesis" and an introductory article on phase vocoders (sp.) Digital Audio Engineering edited by John Strawn (I think) William Kaufman, 1985, ? pgs, hardback, ~$35.00 I don't have this one yet, so I can't say too much about it. It delves into the hardware needed to get into digital audio. Incidentally, the books from William Kaufman are part of an expanding series in the computer music field -- there's also a book of articles by composer's, supposedly giving a right-side-of-the-brain perspective (as opposed to the left-side-engineering stuff) I learned of most of these books through the Computer Music Journal, which is published quarterly by the MIT Press for $26.00 a year. This journal covers the gamut of pure theory to pure application as well as having a host of new product and record announcements. dave bourne @ decvax!cwruecmp!bourne p.s. send no replies/flames to the above address since it becomes bogus on the 23rd of Sept.