Synthesizer Library Podcast

Synthesizers. Listen as we talk about how they work, how to program them and the features that make them unique.

Episode 018 - Make A Kick
Published: Jan 17, 2017 by Adam Anderson

We're adding a new kind of episode--learning to create sounds. We start off with something pretty simple--a kick/bass drum.


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Episode 017 - Prophet 12
Published: Oct 25, 2016 by Adam Anderson

With glowing lights and and dozens of shiny knobs, the Prophet 12 is a sound designer's playground. Have a listen and find out what makes it uniquely magical.


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Episode 016 - Bass Station
Published: Aug 12, 2016 by Adam Anderson

The Novation Bass Station can be polarizing among synth enthusiasts. Love it or hate it, come hear what it's all about.


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Episode 015 - FM
Published: Jul 11, 2016 by Adam Anderson

Frequency Modulation (FM) synthesis is sometimes daunting to understand. Let's begin with the basics and see what happens when one oscillator's pitch is altered by another's.


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Episode 014 - MIDI
Published: Jun 10, 2016 by Adam Anderson

MIDI revolutionized how synthesizers communicate with each other. This episode will help you learn what it provides and how to get started using it.


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Episode 013 - Soulsby Synthesizers
Published: May 03, 2016 by Adam Anderson

8-bit has never sounded better than it does in the amazing Atmegatron line of synths from Soulsby Synthesizers. Founder, Paul Soulsby, joins us for some insight into the world of synth-making on the Arduino platform.


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Episode 012 - Moog Mother-32
Published: Apr 08, 2016 by Adam Anderson

Explore Moog's first eurorack synthesizer module. Also, an answer for the mystery synth quiz from the last podcast.


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Episode 011 - Roland RS-09
Published: Mar 02, 2016 by Adam Anderson

Discover the beauty and quirks of a classic Roland string machine. Plus, a phase distortion follow up; and a pointless contest!


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Episode 010 - Ring Modulation
Published: Feb 02, 2016 by Adam Anderson

After a quick summary of NAMM 2016, let's dive into amplitude modulation and ring modulation. What are they? What are the differences? What does it sound like and how can I use it?


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Episode 009 - Oscillator Sync
Published: Jan 05, 2016 by Adam Anderson

In this episode, we'll take a look at an advanced topic: oscillator sync. If you've enabled it on your synth but heard no difference in your sound, come figure out why. Or, if you just don't remember what it does, come have a refresher.


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Episode 008 - Casio CZ
Published: Dec 08, 2015 by Adam Anderson

Casio's CZ pro line of synthesizers from the 80s offered a new approach to synthesis called "phase distortion". We'll take a look at what it means, how it was implemented and its usefulness today.


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Episode 007 - Korg Poly 800
Published: Nov 05, 2015 by Adam Anderson

The Korg Poly 800 analog synthesizer is a favorite among tinkerers for its ease of modification. But how does the stock instrument stack up?


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Episode 006 - Korg microKORG
Published: Oct 06, 2015 by Adam Anderson

The microKORG is a virtual-analog synthesizer and vocoder. It has 37 mini keys, several control knobs, an on-board arpeggiator, a complete MIDI implementation, and a PC/Mac patch editor. This episode takes a different approach from past episodes by playing LOTS of sounds from the instrument.


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Episode 005 - Ensoniq ESQ-1
Published: Sep 15, 2015 by Adam Anderson

Featuring digital oscillators and analog filters, the now-vintage Ensoniq ESQ-1 offers flexible sound design options. Prices these days won't hurt your wallet, but lugging it around may hurt your back. We'll showcase how sounds are built in the ESQ-1 and touch on some of the other features in this '80s classic.


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Episode 004 - The Omnichord
Published: Aug 11, 2015 by Adam Anderson

It is popping up a lot lately--the Suzuki Omnichord. Let's have a listen to it and learn what makes it such a unique instrument. Warning: If you don't already want one, you might start dreaming of omnichords after this...


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Episode 003 - Roland Juno 6/60
Published: Jul 28, 2015 by Adam Anderson

Our first synthesizer walkthrough, we explore the capabilities of the Roland Juno 6 synthesizer and its big brother, the Juno 60. Listen as we explore the oscillators, filter, envelop, LFO and built-in chorus. We'll also cover a trick to integrating the Juno into a MIDI-based system (since the Junos have no MIDI).


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Episode 002 - Synthesizer Basics, part 2
Published: Jul 21, 2015 by Adam Anderson

We continue our discovery into some synthesizer basics. Now that we know about oscillators and envelops from episode 1, we'll look at shaping our sounds with filters and LFOs.


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Episode 001 - Synthesizer Basics, part 1
Published: Jul 14, 2015 by Adam Anderson

In this first episode, we lay some groundwork for working with synthesizers. Learn about oscillators and envelopes. If you've seen these settings on your synth, but never quite understood how to adjust them, come have a listen as we explain what they mean.


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