Electronic Music Systems: Techniques and Controls

This book provides an overview of electronic music systems, including their history and how they work. It covers various techniques and controls used in electronic music production, and offers advice on how to get the most out of your equipment.

Synthesizers

A synthesizer is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals that produce sounds. Synthesizers can imitate existing sounds or create new ones. They are often played with keyboards or controlled by sequencers, arpeggiators, or other similar devices.

Types of Synthesizers

Analog Synthesizers

These types of synthesizers generate sound using electronic circuits and components, without the use of digital processing. Because of this, they tend to generate a warmer, more organic sound. Many people believe that this gives them a more musical quality than digital synthesizers.

Digital Synthesizers

Digital synthesizers use computer processing to generate sound. This allows for a greater range of sounds and effects to be generated than with analog synthesizers. They can also be programmed to imitate the sounds of other instruments quite accurately.

Synthesizer Techniques

There are an infinite number of sounds that can be created with a synthesizer. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Synthesizers can imitate other instruments or create completely new and original sounds. The following is a list of some of the most common techniques used to create synthesis sounds:

-Additive synthesis: This technique involves adding together sine waves to create more complex waveforms.
-Subtractive synthesis: This technique involves starting with a complex waveform and then removing certain frequencies to shape the sound.
-Wavetable synthesis: This technique involves storing digital recordings of sounds (wavetables) in the memory of the synthesizer. These recordings can then be played back and manipulated to create new sounds.
-FM (frequency modulation) synthesis: This technique involves modulating the frequency of one oscillator with another. This creates complex harmonic structures that can be used to generate a wide variety of sounds.
-Amplitude modulation synthesis: This technique involves modulating the amplitude of one oscillator with another. This can be used to create everything from gentle vibrato effects to aggressive distortion.

Samplers

A sampler is an electronic music instrument that uses recorded sounds as a source for generating new sounds. These recorded sounds can be from a variety of sources, including CDs, vinyl records, tape loops, and more. Samplers can be used to create a wide range of sounds, from simple and repetitive beats to more complex and evolving textures.

Types of Samplers

The three main types of samplers are digital, analog, and tape. A digital sampler stores the sound in a computer memory, which offers more flexibility in editing than an analog or tape sampler. An analog sampler stores the sound in an electrical circuit, which can provide a warmer sound but is more difficult to edit. A tape sampler stores the sound on a magnetic tape, which can be expensive and impractical but can provide a very realistic sound.

Sampler Techniques

The term “sampler” is short for “sampling keyboard,” although the latter term is misleading since most samplers are not stand-alone units with keyboards. Instead, they are components of larger music production systems. Stand-alone samplers do exist, however, and usually come in the form of sample playback modules that lack keyboards but can be controlled by MIDI sequencers.

The primary function of a sampler is to store digital recordings of sounds, which can then be played back under the control of a MIDI keyboard or sequencer. Sampled sounds can be anything from single notes to entire songs, and can be recorded from just about any source, including CDs, LPs, cassettes, radio broadcasts, and even field recordings made with portable digital recorders. Once digitized, a sound can be manipulated in a variety of ways, including changing its pitch, duration, envelope (attack and decay), and even its timbre (tone quality).

Sampling technology has revolutionized the way music is produced by making it possible for musicians to create new sounds that could not previously be made without expensive studio equipment. In addition to providing new sonic possibilities, sampling has also made it possible for musicians to recycle existing recordings and create new versions of old songs.

Sequencers

A sequencer is a device or software that records, edits, and plays back digital audio or MIDI sequences. You can use a sequencer to create your own electronic music or to control other electronic devices. Sequencers can be either standalone devices or they can be computer software programs.

Types of Sequencers

There are three types of sequencers: linear, pattern, and real-time. Linear sequencers play sounds in a pre-determined order, much like traditional music notation. Pattern sequencers play sounds in a loop, similar to a drum machine. Real-time sequencers play sounds in real time, as they are being recorded.

Sequencer Techniques

Sequencers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from simple hardware units to powerful software applications. The basic principle is the same: a sequencer allows you to record, edit and play back musical performances.

There are many different ways to use a sequencer. You can use it to record your own performances, to create beats and loops, or to compose entire pieces of music. You can also use it to control other electronic devices, such as synthesizers and drum machines.

The most important thing to remember is that a sequencer is just a tool. It’s up to you how you use it. There are no rules. So experiment and have fun!

MIDI

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a protocol that allows electronic musical instruments and computers to communicate with each other. It enables musicians to control a variety of parameters, such as note positions, volume, pitch bend, and vibrato. MIDI also allows different devices to sync up with each other, such as sequencers, drum machines, and synthesizers.

Types of MIDI

MIDI, short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is a protocol designed for recording and playing back music on digital instruments. MIDI is not an audio format like MP3 or WAV; it’s a set of instructions that record music performance data.

MIDI files can be played back on any device that supports the MIDI protocol, which includes most digital pianos, keyboards, and synthesizers. MIDI files are also used by some computer programs for music composition andnotation.

There are three types of MIDI messages:

-Note on/off messages: These messages turn a note on or off. Note on messages are sent when a key is pressed, and note off messages are sent when the key is released.
-Controller messages: These messages change the sound of a note or affect the general performance of the instrument. For example, a controller message could be used to turn vibrato on or off, or to change the reverb effect.
-System Exclusive (SysEx) messages: Thesemessages are used to send data that is specific to a certain instrument brand or model. For example, a SysEx message could be used to save/load settings on a synthesizer, or to update the firmware on an electronic drum kit

MIDI Techniques

-MIDI Sequencing
-MIDI Recording
-MIDI Editing
-MIDI Arranging
-MIDI Mixing