#synthpatches

Scenario

Write an article for an audio website (blog), similar to ‘Sound on Sound’, explaining the basics of synthesis. Demonstrate the theory by making the following blogposts with examples, explanations and screenshots.

Task 2 – The basics of synthesis – (article / blogposts)

Approach your writing in a structured way, so start off with the sound sources, and then describe the basics of each stage of the sculpturing of the sound [P1]. Start with the waveform generators (or oscillators): Describe the relationship between frequency, wavelength and amplitude. Discuss the basics of the main waveforms used, i.e.their fundamentals and harmonics. Suggest which instruments each waveform is best used for, e.g. strings, open and closed pipes,explaining why.

Then deal with sculpting the sound: Explain envelopes - attack, sustain, decay and release. Identify some of the uses of Low Frequency Oscillators. Explain how filters are used to shape timbres, using cut-off and resonance. Elaborate your article by referencing examples of patches you have created, e.g.: from nature, man made sounds, and musical instruments of your choice. [towards M1, D2] Discuss how effective basic subtractive synthesis has been for synthesizing sounds. Suggest and discuss alternative methods of creating sound, such as additive synthesis, physical modelling synthesis, FM synthesis and granular synthesis. Discuss the effectiveness of virtual synthesizers in re-creating the sounds of analogue synths. [towards D1, D2] This provides evidence for [P1, M1, D1 & D2]

Scenario

Write an article for an audio website (blog), similar to 'Sound on Sound', explaining the basics of synthesis. Demonstrate the theory by making the following blogposts with examples, explanations and screenshots.

Task 1 - Create a minimum of 3 synthesiser patches to demonstrate the links between acoustic theory and synthesis. Create samples of them and upload them to your blog.

Use Logic Pro’s plug-in virtual synthesizers (e.g. ESP, EFM, ES1, Retrosynth or ES2) to create your patches.

Some editing functions you may want to demonstrate are: oscillators, amplifiers, filters, envelope generators, low-frequency oscillators, modulation, patch bays and presets.

You need to demonstrate that you can re-create the sounds, either in written form, or creating a screen capture video of your demonstration(s). This can be supplemented by tutor observation reports.

After you have created your synthesiser sounds, produce an example piece of music using your synthesiser patches.

This provides evidence for [P2, M2, D2]