Project II Description

Analog-Style Synthesis Project

Create a composition using analog-style synthesis (ca. 2 minutes) using any combination of the following options:

MAX/MSP

  • Explore the various synthesis modules in E-A_MusicPrimer especially the following:  Filters&LFO_Modulation: all submodules ProjectSynthPack: AdditiveSynthesizer, AdditiveSynthesizer+, NoiseySynthesizer, SoundSculptor, ModWheelMayhem, and StepSequencer
  • Explore the Forbidden Planet module. (For best results, start by using some kind of noise as a sound source.)
  • Design some interesting sounds with these modules and record the audio output.
  • Create a short composition (ca. 2 min.) by compiling these audio files in your DAW of choice. (You can use the same program for assembling and mixing that you used in your 1st project.)

Logic Pro – MIDI/audio project using analog-style synthesizer plug-ins

Logic Pro, itself has some analog modeling synths that you can use: check out

    • Four vintage instruments emulate the classic B3 organ, Rhodes, Wurlitzer, and Hohner electric pianos, the Hohner Clavinet, and the Mellotron. See Vintage B3, Vintage Electric Piano, Vintage Clav, and Vintage Mellotron.
    • When it comes to synthesizers, you have a huge range to choose from. These include simple plug-ins such as ES P and EFM1. More advanced options include Retro Synth, ES1, and ES2.
    • Specialized percussion synthesizers and instruments include Ultrabeat, Drum Kit Designer, and Drum Machine Designer. Ultrabeat combines several percussion-oriented synthesis engines and a step sequencer, making it a powerful tool for the creation of new sounds and beats.
    • Sculpture is a modeling synth that allows the recreation of physical instruments or the creation of instruments that don’t exist. It has a number of unique modulation facilities and can generate a huge array of sound types.
    • Sample-based instruments include Alchemy and EXS24 mkII. These enable you to create and play back recordings of acoustic instruments. Alchemy provides extensive sample manipulation and resynthesis options that can result in sounds that bear little resemblance to the source. Also included are sampled string and horn plug-ins that offer a variety of individual and grouped instruments with multiple articulations. See Studio instruments.
    • Rounding out the collection are the External Instrument, Klopfgeist, and Test Oscillator utility plug-ins, and the EVOC 20 PolySynth vocoder. This instrument tracks incoming MIDI notes and processes audio signals to create classic robotic voices and choirs that follow played note and chord pitches.

Other software

• If you have access to other analog-style synths (software or hardware) you are welcome to use them, but check with me first. Many of the DAW software packages listed for mini-project 1 will also be appropriate for this project, provided you have appropriate synth plug-ins. Logic & Reason are particularly good choices.

Project Drafts

Each week you will export a draft of your project, due each Friday by 5PM. You will post it to the course blog under the correct category and explain what you have done and what you plan to do. Make sure to also explain in a few sentences how the reading informed your work for the week. Email me the link to your submission so I can give you a grade. On Tuesday of the following week, make sure you have listened to the drafts of your classmates and commented on them. This will not only help them, but help you to better explain the techniques and styles you are learning about.

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