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Fundamentals of Synthesis I is a comprehensive introduction to the art, science, and technology of sound synthesis. This course provides students with a deep foundational understanding of how electronic sound is created, shaped, modulated, and performed using modern synthesizers, both hardware and software. Through six detailed modules, learners build the core practical and theoretical skills needed to design original sounds, understand any synthesizer’s architecture, and confidently integrate synthesis techniques into music production, film scoring, and sound design. By the end of the course, students will understand the essential building blocks of synthesis, oscillators, filters, envelopes, modulation systems, and MIDI.
In this module, students learn the foundational principles of sound and how synthesizers generate and shape it. They explore the physics of frequency, amplitude, timbre, and harmonics, then connect these concepts to the core idea of synthesis. The module introduces the major types of synthesis, the evolution of synthesizers, and key concepts such as mono/poly voice modes and basic signal flow. By the end, students understand the universal architecture behind all synthesizers and how sound moves through them.
This module examines oscillators, the primary sound sources in synthesis, and teaches how waveform shapes determine timbre. Students learn the characteristics of sine, triangle, saw, square, and pulse waves, along with advanced concepts like PWM, detuning, unison, hard sync, and noise generation. They also explore how harmonic content affects later stages like filtering and modulation. By the end, students can intentionally select and shape waveforms as the starting point for any patch.
In Module 3, students learn how filters sculpt the tone of a sound by removing or emphasizing specific frequencies. They study low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, notch, and multimode filters, as well as resonance, self-oscillation, key tracking, and filter drive. The module also introduces creative filtering techniques used for sweeps, vocal-like textures, movement, and effects. By the end, students understand how to shape brightness, color, and expression using filters in musical and expressive ways.
This module focuses on how synthesizers create articulation, movement, and expression over time. Students learn to use amplitude, filter, pitch, and auxiliary envelopes along with LFOs, performance controls, and modulation routing. They also explore advanced concepts like step-based modulation, random generators, meta-modulation, and expressive inputs such as velocity and aftertouch. By the end, students can create dynamic, evolving, and performance-responsive sound designs.
In this module, students put together everything learned so far to master the subtractive synthesis workflow. They explore how harmonically rich waveforms are shaped using filters, envelopes, mixing, and modulation to create classic pads, leads, basses, plucks, and FX. The module covers oscillator layering, filter behavior, saturation, signal flow, and expressive shaping techniques. By the end, students can confidently design complete subtractive patches from scratch.
Module 6 teaches students how synthesizers communicate and respond through MIDI, the universal standard for controlling electronic instruments. They explore note data, CC messages, pitch bend, aftertouch, program changes, multitimbral setups, MPE, and SysEx. The module also covers MIDI routing inside DAWs, Control Voltage, hardware integration, TRS vs DIN vs USB MIDI, and the role of MIDI thru boxes. By the end, students can build stable MIDI setups and use performance controls to make their patches expressive and playable.
Required Hardware (minimum):
Laptop Computer (PC or Mac)
Specifications:
Minimum 3.0 GHz Processor
16GB RAM (64 Bit)
256GB SSD
Shareable Certificate
Taught in English
Self-paced Learning
Course Evaluations:
6 Quizzes & 1 Final Exam
Estimated Time to Complete:
15-20 Hours
Course Availability:
On-Demand
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