Software Synths for Producers

About the Workshop

Join Brooks Frederickson, PhD candidate in the Duke music department, for this third in a series of workshops designed to increase your understanding around the theoretical fundamentals of music through examples pulled from current indie, pop, EDM, and hip-hop hits. Producers are encouraged to follow along with their Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) of choice–Ableton, Logic, Garageband, Reaper, Pro Tools, etc.
- What are the basic parts of a synthesizer?
- How do I program sounds in a software synth?
- What is an LFO / Filter / Modulation Matrix?
- What’s the difference between subtractive / additive / wavetable synthesis?
Producers are encouraged to follow along their DAW of choice (Ableton, Logic, Garageband, Reaper, Pro Tools). Examples will be pulled from current hits from indie, pop, EDM, and hip-hop. No prior music theory background or experience needed, all are welcome!
About the Instructor
Brooks Frederickson is a musician and artist based in Durham, NC. A fourth year PhD student in Music Composition at Duke, Brooks’ research focuses on the community and collaborative aspects of music and art making. His music has been performed internationally, used in films, and danced to.
Recent recording projects include his first full length album “Small Works” released through New Amsterdam Records’ Windmill Series, his “steroidally hard-driving, rock-influenced” (NY Times) piece Undertoad on Bearthoven’s Cantaloupe Records release “Trios”. Brooks’ music can also be heard on Consortium5’s recording “Tangled Pipes” out on the UK Nonclassical record label, and on A/B Duo’s “Variety Show”.
About the Location
This workshop will meet online via Zoom. See link at top of page.