Applied Synthesis and Sound Design
Synthesis and sound design is not an area of study that is required by any particular standard but knowledge of this area can aid a music technologist throughout their career. From composition to film/game audio to multimedia applications, acquiring skill in these two areas is recommended as a large portion of the industry has a use for these skills. Sound design engages an individual’s imagination and employs many skills acquired from various other studies in music technology. Studies of synthesis gives individuals conceptual and technical understanding of sonic properties and signal generation/manipulation. Sound design employs synthesis and synthesis is a form of sound design.
Before proceeding to sound design and applications studies, it is recommended that students first acquire knowledge of synthesis. Through training, study, and practice in synthesis, an individual will be better prepared, and have more tools at their disposal, to imaginatively explore sound design. Of course, synthesis is an in-depth topic and can be covered to an advanced and complicated degree. How much detail covered in this area is up to the instructor but below are some guidelines to basic topics and practices.
Before proceeding to sound design and applications studies, it is recommended that students first acquire knowledge of synthesis. Through training, study, and practice in synthesis, an individual will be better prepared, and have more tools at their disposal, to imaginatively explore sound design. Of course, synthesis is an in-depth topic and can be covered to an advanced and complicated degree. How much detail covered in this area is up to the instructor but below are some guidelines to basic topics and practices.
|
1. Wave Forms
a. Study of various wave forms and their properties. i. Sine, Triangle, Square, Saw-tooth wave forms, etc. b. Harmonic Series i. When covering wave forms, it is the perfect time to begin instruction on the harmonic series and phenomenon. ii. Harmonic properties of each wave form can be addressed as they are covered. 2. Explore various types of synthesis with students. a. FM, AM, Additive, Subtractive, and Granular. b. Create projects that allow the students some hands on experience exploring these topics. |
Once a student has grasped the basic concepts and techniques of sound synthesis, they will be well equipped to explore creative sound design. Courses in sound design can be fun and entertaining for everyone involved. The project possibilities are limitless. It is recommended that students engage in a variety of project types.
|
1. Functional Sound Design Project
a. A possible project for this area could be to have the student create a sound that represents a visual action. i. A hammer strike, button click, footsteps, etc. b. Such a project will give the students experience creating sounds that represent an physical action, real world event, or call to action. 2. Abstract Sound Design Project a. Have the students select an abstract idea/topic and instruct them in realizing their idea of an acoustic representation of that idea. i. For example: perhaps the students has a favorite photo of a place they have never visited. Have them imagine what it might sound like and attempt to create that sound(s). b. This project would support the student’s learning in how to take a self- imagined sound and recreate it. 3. Musical Sound Design Project a. Have the students create a sound that has musical properties – a sound that can serve a harmonic or melodic function. i. It is recommended that students take a sample of an existing, non-musical sound and modify it to give it harmonic or melodic properties. b. This type of project will engage a student’s imagination and give them experience in turning what may be a non-musical sound into music. |
There are a numerous approaches to the instruction of synthesis and sound design with ample, instructional materials on the subjects. Additionally, there is a plethora of history in these areas. Sound design has been in entertainment for a very long time – most notably in theater performance.