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'This is the best book to date I've seen on analog synthesis..' Tape Op#62
Product Description
In this book, the technical explanation of the nature of analog sound creation is followed by the story of its birth and its subsequent development by various designers, manufacturers and performers. The individual components of analog sound creation are then examined in detail, with step by step examples of sound creation techniques. Then the modern imitative analog instruments are examined, again with detailed instructions for programming and using them, and the book is completed with appendices listing the major instrument lines available, hints on values and purchasing, other sources of information, and a discography of readily available recordings which give good examples of analog sound synthesis.The CD which accompanies the book gives many examples of analog sound creation basics as well as more advanced techniques, and of the abilities of the individual instruments associated with classical and with imitative analog sound synthesis. This is a complete history of analog sound in one work containing interviews with industry Legends and developers of analog synthesizers. It includes an audio CD of demo sounds and tuitional pieces to illustrate the processes discussed in the book.
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a great little book if:
- you're new to synthesizers and want to know what the heck is going on
- you're curious about the old analogue products
- you're curious about the bands that used them, and what they're up to now
- you're thinking of purchasing a synth, whether analogue or virtual
Mark Jenkins' knowledge of some amazingly obscure details is a little worrying but he's clearly fascinated by this subject and it shows. He's written a very accessible book that has helped me actually figure out and start to play my recent synth acquisition, and in that sense the book has completely met my objectives. The icing on the cake (for this eighties music buff) are the little (synth-related) facts on and interviews with bands like The Human League and Duran Duran.
On the downside:
- a little too much repetition of facts and opinion, but nothing a slightly more rigorous re-edit couldn't handle
- could expand more on the playing and performance side
- the section on virtual synthesis and h/w and s/w products could be more informative
In summary though I thoroughly recommend this book and appreciate the fact that someone with a deep level of knowledge has taken the time out to produce something so accessible and informative.
- you're new to synthesizers and want to know what the heck is going on
- you're curious about the old analogue products
- you're curious about the bands that used them, and what they're up to now
- you're thinking of purchasing a synth, whether analogue or virtual
Mark Jenkins' knowledge of some amazingly obscure details is a little worrying but he's clearly fascinated by this subject and it shows. He's written a very accessible book that has helped me actually figure out and start to play my recent synth acquisition, and in that sense the book has completely met my objectives. The icing on the cake (for this eighties music buff) are the little (synth-related) facts on and interviews with bands like The Human League and Duran Duran.
On the downside:
- a little too much repetition of facts and opinion, but nothing a slightly more rigorous re-edit couldn't handle
- could expand more on the playing and performance side
- the section on virtual synthesis and h/w and s/w products could be more informative
In summary though I thoroughly recommend this book and appreciate the fact that someone with a deep level of knowledge has taken the time out to produce something so accessible and informative.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As an analog synth freak (with a great vintage analog synth collection and some interesting but also some less interesting analog synthesizer books in my library), I can only recommend this one to all electronic music addicts, especially the ones with a special favour for analog synthesizers.
The book starts with a short and actually less interesting description of how analog synthesis (or better subtractive synthesis) very basically works (what's a VCO, a filter, etc...) - but this chapter is far too compact to be good. There's also a late chapter added about the history of VA (virtual analog) - for real analog artists that one may be somewhat boring too. However, everythings what's in between these chapters is a real must-read !!
There are great descriptions of common and less common facts (even some great anecdotes) in analog synthesizer history, and especially how the synths (and whát synths) where used for certain tracks or part of tracks by great bands and artists like ELP, Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, Jean-Michel Jarre, and many many more...
Everything is written in a great narrative way, and for any synth freak it's great to know a lot of these things.
So finally I'd say this is a great reference book for a collection of known and less known facts in analog synthesizer history.
Have fun !!
The book starts with a short and actually less interesting description of how analog synthesis (or better subtractive synthesis) very basically works (what's a VCO, a filter, etc...) - but this chapter is far too compact to be good. There's also a late chapter added about the history of VA (virtual analog) - for real analog artists that one may be somewhat boring too. However, everythings what's in between these chapters is a real must-read !!
There are great descriptions of common and less common facts (even some great anecdotes) in analog synthesizer history, and especially how the synths (and whát synths) where used for certain tracks or part of tracks by great bands and artists like ELP, Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, Jean-Michel Jarre, and many many more...
Everything is written in a great narrative way, and for any synth freak it's great to know a lot of these things.
So finally I'd say this is a great reference book for a collection of known and less known facts in analog synthesizer history.
Have fun !!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As someone who is interested in synthesis and owns several virtual analog synthesisers rather than analog instruments, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Mark Jenkins brings the history and evolution of the analog and later virtual analog instruments alive with quotes from the people who designed them, artists who used them and records they can be heard on.
Whereas I am a novice keyboardist, Mark Jenkins is clearly an expert and I particularly enjoyed the insight into how the multitude of features available can be used to make sounds more interesting. For those not so familiar with the subject the book also includes useful sections introducing what synthesis is and the modules typically used but this is more to set the scene than provide a comprehensive explanation of the subject.
The book also includes an audio cd with sounds and sequences to illustrate some of the synthesizer techniques and the actual instruments covered, which helps understand what the text is describing. And if you are interested in buying an analog synth there are some tips on doing so plus an extensive list of models and likely prices.
Overall an excellent, well written and researched book that compliments and usefully adds to other texts available on the subject.
Mark Jenkins brings the history and evolution of the analog and later virtual analog instruments alive with quotes from the people who designed them, artists who used them and records they can be heard on.
Whereas I am a novice keyboardist, Mark Jenkins is clearly an expert and I particularly enjoyed the insight into how the multitude of features available can be used to make sounds more interesting. For those not so familiar with the subject the book also includes useful sections introducing what synthesis is and the modules typically used but this is more to set the scene than provide a comprehensive explanation of the subject.
The book also includes an audio cd with sounds and sequences to illustrate some of the synthesizer techniques and the actual instruments covered, which helps understand what the text is describing. And if you are interested in buying an analog synth there are some tips on doing so plus an extensive list of models and likely prices.
Overall an excellent, well written and researched book that compliments and usefully adds to other texts available on the subject.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Best bokk about synths I have read so far!
Exelent book! Very informative and interesting you learn the most important stuff about synths in an easy way. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mr Barth
A very good read, but...
I would heartily recommend this book to anyone interested in Analogue Synthesis. It is full of fascinating information and is well written by someone who obviously knows what he is... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Nick Braithwaite
Another view
A very well written and informative book, a good companion to Mark Vail's "Vintage Synthesizers". The sections on the Analogue revival and the technical sections on subtractive and... Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2008 by Mr. N. D. Boughey
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