Thursday 13th September. Periods 3 + 4.Music Technology A2

Synthesisers..What do you know?

A2 exam written question revision

‘The development of music technology’

• Must answer 1 question (choice of 2)• 16 marks available (8% of A2)• Include 16 different points• Organise ideas in date order.• After planning, answer can be bullet points or

prose

A2 exam written question revision

‘The development of music technology’Topics:

• Synthesisers• Samplers & Drum machines• Audio effects and audio processing - EQ• MIDI• Recording media (tape / digital etc). Consumer media (Vinyl & MP3 etc)• Multi-track recording (Digital and Analogue)• Computer based recording (Cubase)• Electric Guitars and Amplification Internet

Synthesisers

• First synths were Analogue and used ‘subtractive synthesis’ also known as analogue synthesisers.

• Monophonic• Expensive. ‘Out of reach’ to most musicians.• 1970 Minimoog. Cost £1000 (roughly £6000 in

todays money) – first ‘affordable’ synth.

Subtractive / Analogue synthesis

Write down what each box stands for and what it does.

Subtractive / Analogue synthesis• VCO

Waveform / Noise

VCFFilterCut offResonanceHP, BP & LP Filter

LFO

VCAADSR / EG

• (MIDI)

Envelopes

Filters

Digital!

• First digital Synthesisers used FM synthesis (frequency modulation)

• Then ‘sampling’ was used.• First digital sampling synth ‘Fairlight CMI’ in

1979. $20,000 (roughly $120,000 in todays money)

• More ‘realistic’ and ‘brighter’ sounding than analogue. Less ‘warmth’.

Virtual / Software synths

Synthesisers..What do you know…now?

• Plenary:• Name the parts of an SH101.

• Homework sheet:• List 16 points referring to ‘what makes up a

synthesiser’ and write a shot explanation about each point. Points can be on the components found on an Analogue / subtractive synthesisers or Digital synthesisers.

Synthesisers• Period 4 task:

• Create as closely as possible the following instruments / percussion sounds only using the A1 synth in Cubase. Presets can be used as a starting point.

– Piano– Strings– Bass guitar– Snare– Closed hi hat– Bass Drum

• Create a music piece (original or cover) just using these sounds. We will listen to them at the end of the lesson.

Create as closely as possible the following instruments / percussion sounds only using the A1 synth in Cubase. Presets can be used as a starting point.

Piano, Strings, Bass guitar, Snare, Closed hat, Bass Drum

• Plenary:

• What were the limitations trying to make ‘real’ sounds with the A1?

• Do you like the way analogue / subtractive synths don’t sound ‘real’. Or do you prefer digital synths that can completely emulate pretty much any instrument?

• Styles / Genres of music influenced by synths.