Synths & Sound Design

Tutorial | Sep 20, 2017 by Matt Vanacoro

With IK's Synktronik out in the wild, users are beginning to tap into its huge potential for sound creation. Matt Vanacoro gives you his top tips for getting the most out of this powerful instrument.

Tutorial | Sep 17, 2017 by Liam Lacey

With DIY gear so readily available, building your own controllers can be fun, rewarding and really creative. Here, Liam Lacey shows you how to make your own 3D gesture-sensing USB MIDI controller.

Tutorial | Sep 12, 2017 by G.W. Childs IV

Ever wanted to get that signature vocoder effect as heard on tracks by legendary artists The KLF? Help is at hand - G.W.Childs is here to show you how to do it!

Tutorial | Sep 08, 2017 by Hollin Jones

Gadget doesn't have audio tracks, but there's a clever workaround for slicing and sequencing audio loops anyway, and it harks back to the days of MIDI triggered hardware. Here's how it works.

Tutorial | Sep 04, 2017 by Hollin Jones

Adding movement and effects to your pad sounds can really enhance a track by introducing more life and motion to the body of the music. Here's how to do it in any synth.

Tutorial | Jul 30, 2017 by Hollin Jones

The Buchla Easel is a modular synthesizer quite unlike any other. In this short video, Buchla expert Todd Barton shows you around and explains how it works.

Tutorial | Jul 14, 2017 by G.W. Childs IV

MicroTonic is a cool synth and unusual in that it is able to exchange sounds with the Pocket Operator PO-32. G.W Childs shows you how to use the software to make morphing drum patches.

Tutorial | Jul 09, 2017 by Hollin Jones

The principles for quickly creating a computer chiptune style lead sound can be applied to any synthesizer. This short video explains how to do it for yourself.

Tutorial | Jul 02, 2017 by Rich Tozzoli

Using synth on guitars? Yes indeed - it can be done, and more than that it can provide great results! Find out how in this workshop using the bx-subsynth Subharmonic Synth.

Tutorial | Jun 22, 2017 by Hollin Jones

Once you're through the basics, a whole world of advanced Eurorack patching and programming is waiting. See how FM and Phase Modulation work in this practical video.

Tutorial | Jun 04, 2017 by Jade Wii

With so many synths out there it can be daunting knowing where to begin looking. But it needn't be! Here are some excellent tips on choosing your first synth from someone with quite the collection...

Tutorial | Jun 01, 2017 by Hollin Jones

PO-32 Tonic from Teenage Engineering puts a wealth of cool FX at your fingertips. Here's a hands-on example of how to program, tweak and record them in real time.

Tutorial | May 27, 2017 by Histibe

Designing sound for specific kinds of video projects requires its own unique approach. Here's how you should approach it, and some pitfalls to watch out for.

Tutorial | May 18, 2017 by Hollin Jones

Noise is sometimes less well understood than oscillators, but it's just as important when making synth patches. Here's a quick guide to the different noise types and how to use them.

Tutorial | May 13, 2017 by Shane Berry

We all lust after shiny new gear from time to time, but is it always a good idea? Shane Berry has some advice on when to leap, and when to only look.