Make sounds

Build sounds from scratch with synthesis, or capture a real instrument and turn it into something playable.

Synthesis and sound design

One guide per synthesis family, each built around an instrument you can play in the browser.

  1. Oscillators and waveformsSine, saw, square and noise, and the character of eachComing soon
  2. Subtractive synthesisStart bright, carve with a filter: the classic synth recipeComing soon
  3. EnvelopesAttack, decay, sustain and release, and how they define a sound's shapeComing soon
  4. LFOs and modulationMaking sounds move: rate, depth, shape and destinationsComing soon
  5. FM synthesisHow one oscillator bending another makes bells, basses and metalComing soon
  6. Wavetable synthesisScanning through waveforms to make timbres evolveComing soon
  7. Additive synthesisBuilding sound one harmonic at a timeComing soon
  8. Granular synthesisClouds, textures and time-stretching from tiny slices of soundComing soon
  9. Physical modelingStrings, bars and membranes simulated from how they vibrateComing soon
  10. Drum synthesisKicks, snares and hats from oscillators and noiseComing soon

Sampling an instrument

Capture, map and ship a playable instrument. A cleared sample set means no recording gear is needed.

  1. Planning and recording samplesWhat to capture, how many notes and layers, and how to record consistentlyComing soon
  2. Preparing samplesTrimming, fades, noise and keeping the attackComing soon
  3. Key and velocity mappingRoot notes, zones and velocity layersComing soon
  4. Loops and releasesMaking sustained notes and note-offs believableComing soon
  5. Round robins and articulationsAvoiding the machine-gun effectComing soon
  6. Shipping a sample libraryPresets, credits, rights and a first sound that sells itComing soon