An Introduction to Synthesis

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About Course

Unlock the power of sound design and distinguish your music from the rest with An Introduction to Synthesis. Whether you’re a beginner or a curious producer looking to deepen your understanding, this course offers a comprehensive look into the foundational elements of synthesis. Led by experienced educator and artist Thavius Beck, you’ll explore the core building blocks that shape synthesized sound—giving you the tools to craft your own unique sonic identity.

Starting with subtractive synthesis, you’ll learn to deconstruct complex sounds into understandable parts. Through engaging, hands-on lessons, you’ll discover how oscillators generate raw waveforms, how filters shape tonal character, and how modulation breathes life into static sound. Thavius guides you step-by-step through the essential devices and techniques, from stacked sawtooth oscillators to ADSR envelopes, revealing how each component interacts to produce professional-grade results.

By the end of this course, you’ll not only have a strong grasp of the technical elements of synthesis—you’ll also have a toolkit for creative expression. You’ll apply what you learn to build everything from rich bass lines to percussive hits like kicks, snares, and hi-hats. Whether you’re producing electronic music, scoring for media, or experimenting with sound design, this course empowers you to take control of your sonic palette.

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What Will You Learn?

  • Build a solid foundation in synthesis, including the principles of subtractive synthesis and how sound is created and modified.
  • Understand oscillators and waveform manipulation to begin shaping your own unique sounds.
  • Explore filter types, resonance, and serial/parallel configurations to sculpt your sound with precision.
  • Gain a working knowledge of amplifiers, A/D and ADSR envelopes, and their critical role in dynamic sound shaping.
  • Discover how to use envelopes creatively—not just for volume, but for modulating tone, pitch, and more.
  • Learn hands-on sound design techniques, including crafting kick drums, snares, and hi-hats using modulation tools like LFOs and noise generators.

Course Content

Deconstructing a Subtractive Synth
In this step, Thavius introduces the basics of synthesis.

  • An Introduction to Synthesis
    04:28

What is an Oscillator
In this step, Thavius introduces the oscillator, the different waveforms, and setting up a second oscillator.

What is a Filter
In this step, Thavius discusses filter types, resonance, filters in series, and using parallel filters.

Triggering an Amplifier and Amp Envelope using Modulation
In this step, Thavius discusses amplifiers, the different types of envelopes, and sound design using envelopes.

Further Modulation
In this step, Thavius discusses designing kick drums with pitch modulation, creating snares with the noise generator, creating hi hats with decay, gates and triggers, and LFO modulation.

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