How to Make a Noise: A Comprehensive Guide to Synthesizer Programming

Not really geared towards hardware synths

The first version of this book is available as a free ebook which you can download off the authors website, if you buy this hard copy you will then need to spend another $10 on some patches for the synths which are not included when you buy it, you can download additional 'refills' which give you more info which is not available in the free version (but is in the hard copy), then you will need to buy six software synthesizers to do the various tutorials with. You could get the demos but they might time out before you could complete the whole book, you do the math!!!It is a shame because the author realy knows he's stuff when it comes to the subject of sound design, why he did not choose to use some of the many exellent freeware synths available to impart his knowledge is beyond me. Not everyone will like/want/need the six synths he uses, not everyone could afford to buy them either.Five stars for knowledge, zero stars for business acumin!!!

This book focuses on 6 major softsynths which will cost you hundreds extra if you were to buy them. However most of the techniques can be applied to other synths quite easily, and with a browse of any manual or help file you should be able to work around the differences you might find with other synths. For example I have found applying some techniques to Reason's Thor very useful.This book can become complex, and you may find you lose focus reading about detailed parts of soft synths you don't own. However I have found this book extremely valuable in teaching me the principles of sound design. I don't feel the need to buy any of the covered softsynths, which means I don't need the patches. But with a bit of improvisation you can adapt the information in this book to apply to any other hard or softsynth on the market.