Quick Picks: Clay Frogs: Painting
 
Sign In Sign Up — It's Free!

How to Build a Synthesizer

You are viewing an Expert Village Video Series:

Learn how to build a simple electronic synthesizer with square wave oscillators in this free instrument-building video series that will show you how to create the perfect synthesizer.

There are 15 videos in this series:
Email Series
  • << Back
  • [ 1 ]
  • Next >>
  • << Back
  • [ 1 ]
  • Next >>

Summary: Because of its creative uses of verbal and written communication, music is one of the most interesting forms of expression that exists in the world today. Whether the rhythmic arranging of tones and melodies developed in conjunction with spoken language is still unknown; nonetheless, music is unique in that it facilitates a special conversation between the musician and the audience that exceeds mere words. Music creates a connection between people that is not limited by time, distance or relationships; a song can speak to anyone, anywhere. That’s why music continually changes and grows. Music is a living language.

Now that you know the power of the music, learn how to build your own synthesizer with six oscillators in this free video series. Analog synthesizers are synthesizers that use analog circuits and computer techniques to produce an electronic sound that is often heard in music composition. The first analog synthesizers (or synths) were derived from analog computers and involved other electronic modules such as oscillators, filters, amplifiers and generators that were connected by patch cables. Later, all-in-one synthesizers simplified the set-up and made synthesizers more portable and easier to use. Analog synthesizers were slowly replaced by digital components, but in the 1990s, a revival of the analog synths prevailed.

About the Expert

Contact: electricwestern.com

Expert: Lorin Parker works as an artist, audio engineer and instructor in sound and audio. He is currently a faculty member at the Art Institute of California, Los Angeles. Parker specializes in the creation of sound, performance art, music composition, sculpture and interdisciplinary arts. He is also renown as an instrument builder and designer of interactive technology. Lorin has a background as a professional sound designer, audio engineer, bassist (contrabass and electric), synthesist and thereminist and is an avid DIY enthusiast who knows his way around a workshop. His collaborators include Andre Vida, Clay Chaplin, Mark Trayle, Gregory T.S. Walker, Rich O'Donell, Jay Stuckey, Cooper Baker, Sarah Seelig, F. Lewis Keller, Jacob Feinburg, David B.C. Leikam, Lewis Keller, E. Kim and Phillip Stearns.

Watch these related videos

Piano & Keyboard Ads
Read these related articles
See more articles