How to make a noise: Free Book

[mattmauler]

Hello there,

just wanted to ask - is it worth reading?

After a quick google search, I couldn't find anything else about Simon but his books. So if any of you have read his book, does it have something new/innovative - or simply, is it worth the read?

[cilie]

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I would not read it A-Z, but it describes some principles very well. So you may pick the subjects of interest. Another very good -and free- resource is the SoundOnSound Synth Secrets. I get back to that from time to time. And it's even older than HTMAN.

https://www.mediafire.com/file/7w2dcsqm ... e.pdf/file (https://www.mediafire.com/file/7w2dcsqmkbeduea/Synth_Secrets_Complete.pdf/file)

[pathworker]

I would not read it A-Z, but it describes some principles very well. So you may pick the subjects of interest. Another very good -and free- resource is the SoundOnSound Synth Secrets. I get back to that from time to time. And it's even older than HTMAN.

https://www.mediafire.com/file/7w2dcsqm ... e.pdf/file

I second that, the principles are very sound whether you are using analogue, digital of a combination of the two.

[zzz00m]

Hello there,

just wanted to ask - is it worth reading?

After a quick google search, I couldn't find anything else about Simon but his books. So if any of you have read his book, does it have something new/innovative - or simply, is it worth the read?

Yes, worth a read! Fundamentals never get out of date.

Simon also released a series of 3 synth e-books in 2011, then moved on to other projects.

• How to Make a Noise: Frequency Modulation Synthesis Kindle (illustrates examples using NI FM8)
  How to Make a Noise: Analog Synthesis Kindle Edition (illustrates examples using FabFilter Twin 2 & NI Massive)
  How to Make a Noise: Sample-Based Synthesis Kindle Edition (illustrates examples using NI Battery and NI Kontakt)

The synths used as examples in the books are not required, as any synth can be used that contains the referenced synthesis type.

Example: https://www.amazon.com/How-Make-Noise-A ... ref=sr_1_3

https://youtu.be/aRSbSEEkNik

[mattmauler]

Hello there,

just wanted to ask - is it worth reading?

After a quick google search, I couldn't find anything else about Simon but his books. So if any of you have read his book, does it have something new/innovative - or simply, is it worth the read?

Yes, worth a read! Fundamentals never get out of date.

Simon also released a series of 3 synth books in 2011, then moved on to other projects.

• How to Make a Noise: Frequency Modulation Synthesis Kindle
  How to Make a Noise: Analog Synthesis Kindle Edition
  How to Make a Noise: Sample-Based Synthesis Kindle Edition

Example: https://www.amazon.com/How-Make-Noise-A ... ref=sr_1_3

https://youtu.be/aRSbSEEkNik

Thank you for the answer and the affirmation.

The video is actually really helpful. I will give the Frequency modulation Synthesis a go.

[zzz00m]

I grabbed the 3 newest books, as they are only $2.99 each for the Kindle versions, and since you never know when they might become "out of print" (unavailable).

[stromkraft]

Another very good -and free- resource is the SoundOnSound Synth Secrets

Official resources including some newer materials >> Synth Secrets - From Sound On Sound

[pathworker]

Synth secrets, despite its age, is an excellent resource.

[mommy_muscle_milk]

oooh thank you!!

[Diegome]

Thank you!!

[dylmac]

Is it better to read than watching youtube videos where you can see and hear?

[pathworker]

That very much depends on your learning style, some people learn better by reading, others by watching video, and yet others by a combination of the two. and also, there are even those who learn by experimentation alone.

[zzz00m]

Is it better to read than watching youtube videos where you can see and hear?

In many cases, yes. Books are a long established tradition going back many hundreds of years, since Gutenberg invented the printing press, although earlier forms of writing go back thousands of years. And it's not just about tradition...

For learning and reference, books are indispensable as containers of information which you can absorb at your own pace. IMO, videos are great supplements to books. They can be quite useful for demonstrating a specific hands-on technique, as in "watch and learn how to do this". Using them together can be a win/win. But videos on their own can also be a difficult slog and waste of time if you need to rewind/ff through to locate and review a reference for a specific topic vs. simply glancing at the table of contents or index in a book.

[Tianzii]

Thank you!!!

[aeternam]

I've been away from the scene for quite awhile but I remember reading this book along with Welsh's Synthesizer Cookbook (which I still have).