Modular Sound Synthesis

About

The aim of the “Modular Sound Synthesis” course is to teach the core theoretical and practical concepts of sound design and sound synthesis on a modular synthesizer system. Students will get guided hands-on experience with a full hardware Eurorack synthesizer, as well as courseworks to be completed on the hardware system or on a free virtual emulation (VCV Rack). Topics to be touched span from creation of classic synthesizer sounds, through sequencing and animating sound, to setting up autonomous complex systems.

Learning outcomes

By participating in this course, you will:

• Learn the core basics of operating a modular synthesizer
• Understand the way standard synth modules work
• Study the classic modular synth techniques used by electronic music pioneers
• Get a basic understanding of the thought process behind creating a patch
• Make your first recording on a modular synthesizer

Organisational

Classes: each Wednesday, 17:45 @ B308. 50 minutes, 10 minutes break, 60 minutes, 15 minutes non-obligatory 'supervised jams'

Grading: Attendance (at least 7 sessions) = 30%, each of the four homeworks = 10%, final project = 30%. You get % for each completed activity, summed up at the end of the semester.

Grade scale: 0-49% = fail, 50-59% = 1, 60-69% = 2, 70-79% = 3, 80-89% = 4, 90%+ = 5

Contact: synthfoxmodular@gmail.com (slower), telegram @kouyou / kouyou elysian, [userpic = white cartoon dragon on cyan background] (faster)

How to turn on the synthesizer setup

• Verify that the master volume ("MAIN MIX") on the small Xenyx mixer to the left of the TV is all the way off.
• Plug one power cord (from the power splitter, at the floor shelf under the TV) to a power outlet. The speakers, mixer and TV should power on. Ignore the TV.
• Plug another power cord (inserted to the modular synth's back) to another outlet. The modular should light up with LEDs and stuff. If not, check the switch next to the power cord socket. If it's still not active after that, pull the cord immediately and let me know.
• Locate the cable inserted to mixer's channel 2 - its other end should be not connected, and have a 3.5mm connector. Plug it to some test sound output from the modular, e.g. a VCO output. Slowly crank up the "MAIN MIX" master volume to a comfortable level.
• Enjoy! Raw VCO signal is very loud, so depending on your patch, the mixer volume may need to be adjusted.

To power off:

• Put the master volume on the mixer all the way down.
• Pull the modular synth power cord from the outlet to turn off the modular.
• Pull the power splitter cord from the outlet to power off the speakers and the mixer
• It's good tone to unpatch the synthesizer and put the patch cables into the niche below the synth or on the keyboard stand bar.