The synthesizer is perhaps the most versatile, interesting, creative and expressive musical instrument in the world. Synthesizers range wildly in their construction and abilities, and they’re virtually unlimited in the sounds they can produce. In addition to such vast musical and sound design capabilities, there are a surprising number of benefits associated with learning how…
The world of Eurorack can be daunting and expensive, even when it comes to the cases that hold the many available modules. With so many great cases to choose from, it can be challenging to pick the ideal case for a given Eurorack system. In this article, we’ll go through the best Eurorack case options…
The world of Eurorack modules can be daunting and expensive, and with so many drum and percussion modules to choose from, it can be a challenge to pick the ideal module for a given Eurorack system. In this article, we’ll go through the best options for choosing one or more drum/percussion modules for your Eurorack…
Synthesizers are among the most unique instruments in the world, with so many differences between one synth and the next. The number of voices a synthesizer has is one of the many differentiators in its performance and sound. What is a synthesizer voice? A synth voice is a single audio path responsible for producing a…
Playing a synthesizer through an amplifier and speaker gives you that rumble that only air being moved can generate. But what if the only amp and speaker you have around is a guitar amp? Can you play a synthesizer or keyboard through a guitar amp? A synthesizer can plug directly into a guitar amplifier with…
Musical instruments utilizing a keyboard, like all pianos and many synthesizers, are sometimes a matter of confusion. Whether acoustic or electric, these musical instruments have distinct character and a specific application in music-making. What are the differences between synthesizers and pianos? Pianos are acoustic string/percussion instruments that produce sound by hitting a string with a…
Synthesizers can be awesome, powerful instruments in the right hands. On the contrary, they can be a stale ornament to any studio if they are not understood fully. Thus, we created this blog post to help you better understand what a synthesizer patch is, where they come from, and what you need them for. What…
Synthesizers are, perhaps, the most powerful musical instruments available in the world today. Indeed, they can recreate virtually any other sound and create new sounds that wouldn’t exist otherwise. Although most of us know what a synthesizer is, few know why they are called that way. So, why do we call synthesizers that way? Why…
Learning how to play the synthesizer is only half the path to mastering this instrument. The other half is learning how to program synthesizers to produce the timbral sounds you need. Indeed, once our creativity surpasses the design capacities regular synths provide, we may want more room to play. Thus, we may be inclined to…
Hardware synthesizers have long been part of the music-making and sound design process. Your collection of classic synthesizers can be gaining value by the day. So, how can you keep them clean for optimal aesthetics and performance? How to clean a synthesizer effectively and safely: The first step to cleaning a synth is to wipe…
Along with the modern age in the twentieth century came the modern instruments to make modern music. In that vein, synthesizers were among mankind’s most epic creations, one that would change the musical landscape forever. Yet, can such a powerful device be called a musical instrument? Are synthesizers considered musical instruments? Synthesizers are electronic musical…
Synthesizers broke through the music scene and redefined the sound of the 70s and 80s as a way to synthesize audio from electricity, hence the name. Synths are still relevant and widely used today, and with so much advancement in synth technology, it’s fair to ask if they still require electricity. Can synthesizers be played…
