Description
Modular Sound Synthesis On the Moon, the guide-book by Tulpa Dusha and Pete Johnston.
This guide is a collection of theoretical and practical materials for students of the Modular Synthesis School, a section of Modular Moon. The guide was created for students as an additional information source and is based on the modular synthesis system presented in the class, and explains the major basic principles of sound synthesis. However, this book can be used as a study program for any other sound synthesis learning institution or individual.
Modular Moon is a school of modular synthesis based out of Amsterdam and Berlin and they’ve just released a beautifully produced book containing the heart of their modular syllabus and curriculum.
Modular Moon
It’s a “planet for self-expression in Sound Synthesis”. You can discover all sorts of things at Modular Moon. They run classes on synthesis, they teach module prototyping, hold events and workshops with guests that have included Erica Synths, This is Not Rocket Science and Error Instruments and provides a space in which you can learn about Eurorack and how it all goes together.
The book brings together their entire curriculum chapter by chapter with beautiful photography and illustrations. It starts with concepts of sound and physics and moves into Eurorack standards, control voltage and signal flow. It uses a “Given System” through the book put together from very basic and affordable modules which you can follow literally or use as a springboard into larger and more complex systems. Each module is examined and explained and then patched into practice.
Once the basics are baked in the book moves on building complex patches, tackling ideas for performance, understanding different forms of synthesis, studio setups, post-production and sound design. There’s a chapter on the history of synthesis and another on building your own pocket synthesizer. It’s pretty comprehensive.
The book was written by founder Anna Martinova (a.k.a. modular artist Tulpa Dusha) and Pete Johnston from Bantu Sound and was originally conceived as a study guide for students but they decided that maybe everyone else could benefit from it and for that I’m grateful. They’re also working on an App version that will be “an interactive magical journey”.
