How to make a noise: Free Book

[slowdazzzle]

Also Computer Music Magazine ( Future Publishing) is only $10 a month and every month comes with a DVD full of software and samples and files that go to the tutorials in the magazine, of which there are mnay. They have specially created versions of Vst synths, such as Alpha, Zebra, Rhino, and many others, plus many fx and a lot of samples every month. The articles and tutorials are very well written and helpful. I highly recommend it as a resource for composers, producers, and musicians.

http://www.musicradar.com/computermusic

[MarkushE]

Many thanks! just what I was after


Markus

[Simon_Cann]

I am pleased to announce the publication of three new books in the How to Make a Noise series. Each book focuses on different approaches to synthesizer sound creation so you can choose the right tool for the job.

You can check out the introductory video here , but before you watch the video, here's a brief summary of each book:

new book #1 How to Make a Noise: Analog Synthesis starts from the basic principle of taking a sound source and shaping it with a filter. This simple but powerful technique can be applied to any hardware or software synthesizer to create the warm, rich, energetic, and commanding sounds that are often associated with classic hardware synthesizers.

http://noisesculpture.com/how-to-make-a ... -synthesis

new book #2 How to Make a Noise: Frequency Modulation Synthesis looks at frequency modulation (or FM) synthesis which works through a continuous and controllable interaction of two or more waves to give a broad spectrum of detailed, highly nuanced, bright, rich, shimmering, clean, metallic, and solid tones that can be used to create many musical (and non-musical) sounds.

http://noisesculpture.com/how-to-make-a ... -synthesis

new book #3 How to Make a Noise: Sample-Based Synthesis looks at how to sample, create, and control sounds—from high fidelity realistic recreations of real instrument in their original environment, through creative warped tones, to drums and loops—and the tools and techniques that are available to help.

http://noisesculpture.com/how-to-make-a ... -synthesis

Unlike How to Make a Noise: a Comprehensive Guide to Synthesizer Programming (the free PDF and paperback book), these new books are not synthesizer-specific. Instead they focus on specific techniques and you can use them with whichever synthesizers you have to hand.

The books are available exclusively in electronic format and have been optimized for book readers such as the Kindle, Kindle Fire, iPad, nook, nook color, Reader, and smartphones (such as the iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry). They make extensive use of (color) graphics designed for this form of reading device and the internal links make it a breeze to find the detail you are looking for. Free samples are available from the bookstores that carry the book.

And on the subject of the free PDF/paperback, from time to time I see comments about whether the free version is different from the print version.

To be clear, the free version is the print version. Previously, there was an older version with a few errors, but that is not the case now and has not been the case for quite a long time. What you can download for free is a low-resolution version of what you can buy.

There is one minor difference: the free download includes advertising about the other books in the series, but you know how to skip pages, right?

If you want tho most up-to-date version of the free book, then you can download it from here: http://noisesculpture.com/comprehensive

I hope you will take a moment or two to check out the new books.

Simon

[mabian]

Hello,

I received the announcement by email, I checked and it seems you can only get a Kindle or Apple version. What about a plain PDF? Is it available?

Also, is there any info available on what synths have been used throughout the books?

Thanks,
Mario

[cryophonik]

new book #3 How to Make a Noise: Sample-Based Synthesis looks at how to sample, create, and control sounds—from high fidelity realistic recreations of real instrument in their original environment, through creative warped tones, to drums and loops—and the tools and techniques that are available to help.

I downloaded the FM and Sample-based samples yesterday and bought the FM ebook earlier today. It looks like a good resource that explains FM synthesis clearly - long overdue IMO. The TOC in the sample-based synthesis book left me a little disappointed, to be honest. When I saw the title, I was hoping/expecting it to be the perfect companion book for modern synths like Alchemy, Harmor, Reaktor, etc. that can make use of granular, spectral, and/or additive resynthesis on sample-based material. But, it doesn't appear to discuss these sample synthesis types, unless it's just not obvious from the TOC??? Is it really more of basic sampling techniques book?

[Simon_Cann]

It seems you can only get a Kindle or Apple version. What about a plain PDF? Is it available?

Also, is there any info available on what synths have been used throughout the books?

Hey Mario

There is no PDF version and will not be a PDF version. You can read my reasoning here: http://noisesculpture.com/frequently-as ... stions#pdf

If you don't have a Kindle/iPad, then you can read the book with the Kindle desktop or online with the Amazon cloud reader. Equally, if you get the book in unprotected ePub format, then you can read it using the Ibis Reader (http://ibisreader.com/).

As well as the hardware Kindles, desktop software, and online options, you can read the book on an iPhone, Android phone, or BlackBerry, so there really are a lot of reading options out there.

As for the issue of the synths that have been used--those details are irrelevant. These books have been written so that the principles can be applied to any synthesizer. If you want the books that apply to specific synthesizers, then you should check out Cakewalk Synthesizers: from Presets to Power User (http://noisesculpture.com/cakewalk), How to Make a Noise: a Comprehensive Guide to Synthesizer Programming (http://noisesculpture.com/comprehensive), and Becoming a Synthesizer Wizard (http://noisesculpture.com/synthwiz).

All the best

Simon

[Simon_Cann]

Hey Cryophonic

I downloaded the FM and Sample-based samples yesterday and bought the FM ebook earlier today. It looks like a good resource that explains FM synthesis clearly - long overdue IMO.

Thank you.

I thought a book about FM was pretty long overdue, too!!

The TOC in the sample-based synthesis book left me a little disappointed, to be honest. When I saw the title, I was hoping/expecting it to be the perfect companion book for modern synths like Alchemy, Harmor, Reaktor, etc. that can make use of granular, spectral, and/or additive resynthesis on sample-based material. But, it doesn't appear to discuss these sample synthesis types, unless it's just not obvious from the TOC??? Is it really more of basic sampling techniques book?

I think you have understood exactly what How to Make a Noise: Sample-Based Synthesis covers.

I think you explained my position in your question: the title of the book is "Sample-Based Synthesis". If I had intended it to cover granular, spectral, and/or additive resynthesis, then the title would have been different.

However, I would disagree that the book covers "basic" sampling techniques. Instead, I think it covers sampling and sample-deploying techniques in great detail.

I understand--and respect--that you might want a book that covers other areas (additive, granular, spectral, and so on). However that is not what this specific book covers, in the same way that this specific book does not cover analog synthesis or frequency modulation synthesis. I believe the title and description accurately describe what it covers.

The point of these three new books is to focus in on specific areas and not to try to cover everything. That focus--which makes each book much more immediately useful for the reader--would not have been possible for this book if I tried to every possible aspect of every possible technique where a sample is used.

I think you are wrong to be disappointed with this book. However, I think you are right to be disappointed that I have not written (yet) another book covering those other areas.

I hope this makes my position clear, but please do come back at me if you don't agree.

Simon

[cryophonik]

However, I would disagree that the book covers "basic" sampling techniques. Instead, I think it covers sampling and sample-deploying techniques in great detail.

Sorry Simon, I don't mean to sound like I'm attacking the book and perhaps my choice of word (i.e., "basic") should have been given more thought ("conventional"???).

I understand--and respect--that you might want a book that covers other areas (additive, granular, spectral, and so on)....However, I think you are right to be disappointed that I have not written (yet) another book covering those other areas.

Yet??? I'll be keeping an out for that one!

[Simon_Cann]

However, I would disagree that the book covers "basic" sampling techniques. Instead, I think it covers sampling and sample-deploying techniques in great detail.

Sorry Simon, I don't mean to sound like I'm attacking the book and perhaps my choice of word (i.e., "basic") should have been given more thought ("conventional"???).

Not a problem.

I just want to make sure it's clear to anyone who might be reading this--who hasn't spent the time, like you have, checking out the extract--that the book looks in some detail at the current techniques for sampling.

I understand--and respect--that you might want a book that covers other areas (additive, granular, spectral, and so on)....However, I think you are right to be disappointed that I have not written (yet) another book covering those other areas.

Yet??? I'll be keeping an out for that one!

Let's see how well these three sell, then I'll figure whether to add to the series!!

Thanks for your interest in the books.

Cheers

Simon

[jensa]

Ah nice. Thanks for doing these Simon. Bought the Analog book. One thing that disappointed me though was that I had to pay close to the double price since Amazon.de/fr tells me I have to buy it from Amazon.com and it would be fine if they added just some European or Swedish (19-25% extra) VAT but no... they added some more without really explaining why. So each costs $5.74 instead of $2.99. Not much money but close to double the price. I'm sure the books are great though.

[Electric Head]

thanks for the books Simon
is there no hardcover or an option to print?
I am not always on my pc so I'd like this as a hardcopy.
I bought the FM and Additive books either way.
Although I'll add as above that I payed more around $4.99 per book.

[Simon_Cann]

Ah nice. Thanks for doing these Simon. Bought the Analog book. One thing that disappointed me though was that I had to pay close to the double price since Amazon.de/fr tells me I have to buy it from Amazon.com and it would be fine if they added just some European or Swedish (19-25% extra) VAT but no... they added some more without really explaining why. So each costs $5.74 instead of $2.99. Not much money but close to double the price. I'm sure the books are great though.

Hey Jensa

Thank you for buying the book--I hope it is a worthwhile investment.

I'm surprised about the amount you were charged, however, I regret I have no influence (after setting the $2.99 basic price).

I get that we Europeans are charged VAT on our ebook purchases, but I'm mystified as to how Amazon got the price up from $2.99 to $5.74.

Simon

[Simon_Cann]

thanks for the books Simon
is there no hardcover or an option to print?
I am not always on my pc so I'd like this as a hardcopy.
I bought the FM and Additive books either way.
Although I'll add as above that I payed more around $4.99 per book.

Hey Electric Head

Thank you for buying the books--I hope you find them interesting and useful.

There is no hard copy option. If you want to have the books when you're away from your PC, you can view them on a Kindle, nook, Sony Reader or other ereader, iPad/Android tablet, iPhone/Android phone, or BlackBerry.

Alternatively, you could get hold of one of my books in hard copy format...

As for the cost--all I can do is set the basic price. I can't influence sales tax or the practice of Amazon/the other retailers, I'm afraid.

Simon

[tehlord]

Big +1 on the FM book being long overdue.

Just so you know, the sample version through Amazon Kindle on Android samples nothing, and just shows you the contents. Now i'll buy them anyway, but it's worth at least something being shown for the one's on the fence!

[Simon_Cann]

Big +1 on the FM book being long overdue.

Thank you. I'm pleased to hear it.

Just so you know, the sample version through Amazon Kindle on Android samples nothing, and just shows you the contents. Now i'll buy them anyway, but it's worth at least something being shown for the one's on the fence!

Unfortunately I have no influence over what any retailer makes available as a free sample. Perhaps you might want to try raising the issue with Amazon directly since this is their decision.

Simon