How to Make a Noise: A Comprehensive Guide to Synthesizer Programming [Paperback]

So I just received my copy of this book and was very disappointed to find out that many of the examples in this book were created on 6 different software synths - Cameleon 5000, Rhino, Surge, Vanguard, Wusikstation and Z3TA+. While several of these are available as demo versions, the main synth that is used throughout the book for examples, the Z3TA+ is for PC only. That leaves me, a Mac user S.O.L.! The author seems to believe that it's not absolutely necessary to have his tools in order to try out some of the ideas. I completely disagree!! First, when I buy a book, I read the entire book, learn the entire book and come away with a new set of tools, I'm not really interested in learning SOME stuff. Second, some of the examples in this book use parameters from the various synths above that do not exist in any of my software synths. I have Absynth, FM8, Massive, Thor and Subtractor. For example, in the making a kick drum section, the book tells you to tweak the 'slope' setting of the envelope - this is an extra feature of the Z3TA+ envelopes. Instead of ADSR (attack, decay, sustain, release), it has DASDSR (delay, attack, slope, decay, sustain, release). Many software synths do not have these additional envelope settings - so right away, I am not getting the same sound as the book when trying to follow the kick drum example. Another instance in this same kick drum tutorial is the use of the "Pitch EG" setting. Since again, this is a feature of the Z3TA+, I have no idea what this parameter is but if I'm trying to learn how to make sounds, I need to know ALL the parameters I am tweaking and why so that I can use what I learn in the real world on any synth. Over and over again, this book refers to the above software synths when giving examples, many times asking you to tweak parameters that are exclusive to those synths. So how am I going to learn? I have no intention of trying to follow the examples in the book on a demo version that times out after 15 minutes. Quick! Quick! Change those parameters before the program quits - and once you open it again, you won't be able to go back to what you've just done because you can't save anything in a demo version.

Which brings me to another point, I have a decent computer that I use for music and I'm extremely careful about what I put on it. Downloading demos from a company I've never heard of, is something I would NEVER do.

Another minus for me - the author offers sonic examples of the sounds he makes in the book for a purchase price of an additional $10! I'm sorry but if I'm buying your book, I think you might be decent enough to give me the sounds for free. As in the excellent Power Tools for Reason (Kurt Kuraysaki) book, where you not only get the patches/audio files needed for free on a CD, but you also get templates and a whole host of other very useful tools to assist in the examples in the book and for use on future projects. So between not being willing to use demos and not having the additional $10 soundfiles, I'll be fairly lucky to take away 25% of what this book is trying to convey.

NOTE: There should be a sub heading somewhere with the description of this book on Amazon that makes it clear that most of the practical examples in this book are directely related to 6 specific software synths.

So - if you own a PC, don't mind going to 6 different websites, downloading 6 synth demos (that last anywhere from between 15-30 minutes before timing out), that don't allow you to save what you've just created and are willing to spend an additional $10 so you can make sense of the examples in this book - then this is the one for you!!!

If you're looking for an indepth guide that explains sound design on a synth with the usual parameters, 3 or more oscillators, 2 or more modulation envelopes (that are standard ADSR), a couple of filters and traditional raw waveforms, not custom waveforms that are exclusive to the abovementioned synths used for some of the demos - then this book is not for you.

i was excited to get this book, but after spending some time with it, its pretty disappointing.

rather than follow a logical progression by build on the basics of synthesis, the author jumps around randomly. granted, alot of information is covered; but its kind of schizophrenic and disjointed the way in which he moves from chapter to chapter. as a novice synth programmer, this didnt help me at all.

additionally there are "tutorial" patches, but you have to buy them from his website for 10$, lame. he should ask his publisher for more money rather than make us pay more.

all in all, i wouldnt recommend this to someone looking to learn more about the basics of synthesis, im looking for another alternative because this book was a waste of my money. however, if you have a fair amount of experience and dont mind the disjointed structure of this book, then this is for you!

I reviewed this book for Wusik Sound Magazine issue 017.

Having read a plethora of synth programming manuals, I am absolutely certain that this is the best of the class.

Do not make the mistake of considering this to be another synthesizer programming manual; rather, it is THE synthesizer programming manual. It's complete and detailed coverage of synthesizer components and synthesis methods will make it the de-facto standard for every book in this category.

Rather than waste time on tech speak or complex calculations about the intangible things going on under of the hood of various synths, the book focuses on using the controls provided on a synth to get the sound you want. For example, when explaining filters, the book explains how to use the controls to craft your sound instead of explaining the mathematics governing the controls.

No matter what your expertise level, this book has something to offer. I highly recommend it.