Synthesizer Articles, Tutorials & More

Synth Tutorial: Chvrches “Gun”

In this synth tutorial, Joe Hanley, the creator of Syntorial, will take you step-by-step as he rebuilds the introduction from Chvrches “Gun”. Joe will be using mostly free and donationware plugins, and will focus on classic hardware synth emulations. Don’t …

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Synth Tutorial: James Blake “Retrograde”

In this synth tutorial, watch Joe Hanley, the creator of Syntorial, as he recreates the chorus track from James Blake’s “Retrograde”. You can download the presets and MIDI files from the video. Joe will be working in Logic using the Z3TA+ …

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Synth Tutorial: Calvin Harris “Let’s Go”

In this synth tutorial, watch Joe Hanley, creator of Syntorial, as he re-creates Calvin Harris’ “Let’s Go”, using Ableton Live and various free plugins. You can also download the midi files, synth presets, audio files, session files, and everything else you’ll need to follow …

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Synth Tutorial: deadmau5 “Phantoms Can’t Hang”

In this synth tutorial, watch Joe Hanley, the creator of Syntorial, as he recreates the synth lead from “Phantoms Can’t Hang”. Video includes valuable info on layering synth patches, and using sound design to build a track. Don’t forget to download …

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Ten Steps To Becoming A Synth Dynamo

Through the development of Syntorial I’ve formed some pretty strong opinions when it comes to synthesis. So I figured I’d share them with the world in the form of a Top Ten List. I organized them into a Top Ten …

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Synth Tutorial: Ellie Goulding’s “Lights”

In this synth tutorial, Joe Hanley, maker of Syntorial, will re-create Ellie Goulding’s “Lights”, in Ableton Live. Don’t forget, you can download the midi files, synth presets, audio files, session files, and everything else you’ll need to follow along at home. …

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Synth Patch Checklist

Option anxiety. It’s a struggle that we synthesists must toil with ’til the end of our days. Overwhelmed are we by these magnificent creatures and their many knobs, buttons, sliders and switches, vying for our attention all at once… Read More

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Synth Tutorial: Clean Bandit “Rather Be”

Watch Joe Hanley, the creator of Syntorial, as he recreates the featured synth patch from Clean Bandit’s “Rather Be”. Video includes valuable info on finishing a synth patch, and making a simple sound interesting. Don’t forget to download the presets and …

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Synth Tutorial: FM on the Minimoog Voyager

In this synth tutorial, watch Joe Hanley, the creator of Syntorial, as he demonstrates how to use FM on the Minimoog Voyager. This video is an excerpt from the Minimoog Voyager Lesson Pack for Syntorial, which contains 34 videos, totaling …

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Synth Tutorial: Using Two Filters

In this synth tutorial, watch Joe Hanley, the creator of Syntorial, as he demonstrates how and why to use two filters on a synth. Using dual or parallel filters, can give you very detailed control over the shape, body, and …

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