Hands-On Synthesizers II: Modulation, Motion & Texture

Get your hands on a studio full of classic vintage synthesizers and explore sync, PWM, noise, ring mod, cross mod, and more. Hands-On Synthesizers II: Modulation, Motion & Texture is a small-group workshop at the Vintage Synthesizer Museum exploring techniques and circuits that can make synthesizers more complex, animated, expressive, and sometimes strange. We'll explore seven concepts: Multiple Oscillators • Oscillator Sync • PWM • Noise • Filter Envelopes • Ring Modulation • Cross Modulation Some expand on familiar parts of a synthesizer, others introduce various ways of generating, combining, and manipulating signals. We'll look at what each one actually does, what it sounds like, and how different synthesizers utilize it. For each concept, we'll gather as a group to hear what's happening, break it down on the dry-erase board, and, where useful, see it on an oscilloscope. Then we head to the synths and try it out! Working in pairs, you'll rotate between vintage synthesizers throughout the museum to hear how the same idea functions differently on each one. You'll get hands-on time with synthesizers including the Roland Jupiter-8, Yamaha CS-80, Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, Korg MS-20, ARP Odyssey, Roland SH-101, and others selected specifically for the techniques we're exploring. The point isn't to memorize how to do oscillator sync, PWM, or ring modulation on a particular synth. It's to understand what the technique is and what's happening to the signal well enough recognize and deploy it across instruments. And, of course, to spend an afternoon messing around with some remarkable vintage synthesizers. Six People, A Lot of Synthesizers The workshop is limited to 6 participants. You'll work in pairs, compare sounds, experiment, ask questions, share discoveries, and spend the afternoon with other people who are interested in synthesizers and how they work. Participate at whatever level feels comfortable. There's no pressure to perform or demonstrate anything for the group. Each participant receives the Modulation, Motion & Texture zine, created specifically for the workshop and used throughout the class. Completion of our Fundamentals of Synthesis workshop or equivalent experience is recommended. You should already have an understanding of VCOs, VCFs, VCAs, envelopes, LFOs, CV & Gate, and basic subtractive synthesis. Come ready to listen, experiment, turn knobs, and make some weird sounds.