The Wayfarer Project

Your First Step in Learning Synthesis Learn Synthesis with Pure Data Series 01 starts from square one. One does not need to know any prior knowledge about synthesis nor Pure Data to start this series. The series begins with the fundamentals of digital audio as well as the basics of […]

Creating a Filter in Pure Data Learn Synthesis with Pure Data S01E08 -Creating a Filter in Pure Data In this episode, we will take a look at an approach called subtractive synthesis. This approach is usually performed by filtering the frequency spectrum. We will see how to make a band […]

MIDI Pitchbend in Pure Data Learn Synthesis with Pure Data S01E07 – Adding MIDI Pitchbend to Our Synthesizer MIDI pitchbend is a special controller in the MIDI protocol that allows one to bend pitches smoothly. As we are building our synthesizer in Pure Data, we need to see how we […]

MIDI Pitchbend in Pure Data Learn Synthesis with Pure Data S01E06 – Making an ADSR Envelope in Pure Data Envelopes are used in multiple ways to create shapes over time in synthesis. The most common use for envelopes is to control amplitude, hence the amplitude envelope. The ADSR envelope is […]

Converting MIDI to Audio Learn Synthesis with Pure Data S01E05 – Converting MIDI to Audio MIDI is a protocol that communicates musical actions on devices such that they can speak a universal language. In synthesis, MIDI information needs to be converted into something that digital audio components and software can […]

Making the 4 Basic Wave Shapes with Additive Synthesis Additive synthesis is an approach to making sounds that utilizes sine tones as the building blocks of the sounds. In fact, one can make the 4 basic wave shapes, sine, triangle, pulse, and saw, by adding together singe waves. By adding […]

Wave Shaping the 4 Basic Wave shapes In this episode, we are going to learn about wave shaping. This is a technique for creating different sounds by changing the shape of the waveform. Additionally, we will see how to make the 4 basic wave shapes in synthesis. These wave shapes […]

Overtones, Undertones, Harmonics, and Partials An essential part of synthesis is learning about overtones, undertones, harmonics, and partials. these are the components of a sound’s frequency material that make up its tone color. Tone color is the unique sound of an instrument or voice and in synthesis, it is at […]

Pure Data Basics & Digital Audio Fundamentals We are about to go on an adventure in which we will learn about the art of synthesis using the open source programming environment, Pure Data. PD is a free download and is a very wide-open creative environment for artists to create all […]