Customer Reviews

Beginning Synthesizer (Keyboard Magazine Library for Electronic Musicians)

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This is an interesting book, if you understand and accept its limitations. The book was written in 1986... so it's not really up-to-date. This is not the place to look for the latest technology or DAW so if you need ONE book on synthesizer, look elsewhere.
Yet this is a good book because it mostly covers topics that more recent books ignore, making it a welcomed addition to a well-stocked bookshelf. In particular it explains how to play idiomatically, i.e. to play like the actual instrument you've loaded in your synth: bass, strings, piano, organ, harpsichord, clavinet and lead synth (lead is a bit old-fashioned, admittedly) are covered. This is one of the most comprehensive coverage of this topic that I have found. Although modern keyboards offer more assistance than what was available in the 80s, I found this material very useful. Next it moves into effective use of pitch-bending, modulation and pedals. Again the depth of the treatment is impressive.
The sections on editing sounds are well written but be warned that they cover analog synth only. The material applies to virtual analog synth (VA) as well so it's worth reading but it is not unique and you could find a good treatment of this subject in more recent books. After all VA synths remain popular, if judging from recent offerings like the microKorg XL.
The book ends with a section on lead synth and solos (including transcriptions of solos from Keith Emerson or Steve Porcaro and David Paich --Toto--)... although it is fun to read, this material is really dated.
Last but not least note that the first sections on performance, which is definitively the most unique material, is available separately in Playing Synthesizer: A Beginners Guide for a slightly reduced price. Given the small price difference, I'd suggest you get this edition and at least browse through the last sections.