SynGuru

Welcome to my website!

Please also visit the website for my book:

Electronic Perspectives: Vintage Electronic Musical Instruments

(It's out now! Comes with 2 CDs chock full of musical examples.)C

ff

I left the classroom in 2017 (learn about my career in electronic music synthesis here) but it’s my intention to continue teaching. You will find many Resources on this site, including freely downloadable manuals I authored for Moog Music and other companies. You may find these useful, whether you’re a teacher or an independent learner.  This site best viewed in Desktop mode. Many videos from my research are also available at youtube.com/@electronicperspectives /videos 

 

Among these are Classroom Handouts.  These were never intended to be freestanding teaching materials, but were designed to function like notes taken in the classroom by a diligent student. I can’t answer questions online regarding these–make of them what you will. The task of the students is not to copy the contents of the teacher’s notebook into their notebooks during the class, so I always want students to listen and participate–rather than distract themselves by taking notes. I think students should jot down significant points after each class.

 

There is a mostly complete Modular Sound Synthesis Learner’s Glossary. This “Learner’s” glossary is based on the idea that its definitions can enhance exploration of interrelated concepts and principles. Many entries provide more information than is necessary for a simple definition. This glossary is more than a quick means of looking up individual terms–it’s meant to be a more-global learning experience.

 

An essay on the concept of ACT: Audio-Control-Timing reveals a particular approach to teaching (and learning) modular sound synthesis. It has much to say about avoiding facile sound-signal correspondences–the typical approach that tends to limit imagination regarding many rewarding modular possibilities.

 

For the dyed in the wool aficionado who wants to learn as much as possible about the field, I offer my 1972 PhD Dissertation, an early document that explores electronic music and its earliest instrumentation.

​

ACT and the Learner’s Glossary are dedicated to adults of all ages by two people who were “old souls” at a tender age. The “other” one is Dave Linnenbank, a brilliant former student who helped me rationalize and codify my thoughts on modular sound synthesis, even though the prose here remains exclusively mine. (Dave and I worked on a comprehensive publication, but the vicissitudes of Life intervened in both of our lives. Happily, we both remain well.)

 

Donate: I’ve always believed that “a laborer is worthy of his/her hire,” so please consider giving a few dollars to ensure my continued work in the field. This will support my further research, as I have some very rare documents in the field I would like to bring to light. I’m not an official IRS Not For Profit, but your gift will not require you to pay Gift Tax, and I won’t have to pay Income Tax–as it’s a gift.

- Dr. Tom Rhea 

​

​