Synth University Complete Package by Ian McIntosh

AN INTRODUCTION TO SYNTHESIS, SOUND DESIGN, AND THE SUBTRACTIVE THEORY.

Learn the most important facets of synthesis, and how they can be used to create amazing patches.

• Learn how synths work – finally feel comfortable editing sounds
• Get a real understanding of how to use envelopes, lfos, and waveforms
• Look over my shoulder as I create really useful patches from scratch – then go recreate them in your world
• Students leave this class feeling empowered and exhilarated at what is possible – and how simple it can be

MASTERCLASS #2 – 3.5 HOURS OF VIDEO

MASTER THE USE OF DYNAMICS AND TONE SHAPING

Learn how to shape sounds with dynamics processing and EQ. Learn what Compression does, and how it can be used to your advantage. Learn how to clean up sounds and sculpt them effortlessly.

• Compressing Pianos, Electric Pianos, and Synths
• Cleaning up sounds and mixes with EQ
• How to identify problem frequencies
• Sidechain compression – including an uncanny use you probably haven’t seen before
• Finally understand the difference between using too much compression, and being creative/inspired

THE SOUGHT AFTER PIANO TONE BEHIND JESUS CULTURE, BETHEL, KARI JOBE AND MORE – IN YOUR SOFTWARE

My signature piano sound – my approach to creating amazing piano patches that can be used in nearly any scenario – software, VSTs, hardware – it will even help in the studio with actual pianos.

• My process for making ordinary piano sounds warm, punchy, and huge
• Tips and tricks to correct annoying problems with piano patches
• My counter-intuitive ideas about pianos, compression, and tone
• Examples from Reason, Ableton, Alicia’s Keys, The Giant, and more

THE FUN, EXCITING USES OF ARPEGGIOS, LFOS, FILTER GATES, AND MORE

How to approach the rhythmic elements of synthesis.

• Understanding the capabilites of LFOs
• Knowing how Filter Gates differ from LFOs, and how to use them creatively
• Use cases that span from subtle and warm, to punchy and huge
• Single note arpeggio examples
• Poly arp examples
• The often overlooked role of layering in arpeggios

DON’T REINVENT THE WHEEL – PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE TO HELP YOU SUCCEED.

What most people learn on stage by trial and error, I’ll show you directly.

• How to choose sounds for a live set
• Tracks vs patches
• The best sound check strategy ever
• Simple chord forms for pads
• Simple piano patterns for beginners
• Troubleshooting for beginners
• Live set controls and transitions

HOW TO APPROACH SEQUENCING AND PRODUCTION FOR MAXIMUM RESULTS

The theories and concepts behind how I approach sequencing and studio work. In this series I lay out a repeatable framework and approach to creating consistently great sequences and arrangements.

• Topics include dynamics, the frequency spectrum, the stereo field, layering, movement/intervals, and energy
• Examples are taken directly from songs I recorded with Jesus Culture

ENLIGHTENING TRICKS, TIPS, IDEAS AND EXAMPLES FROM MY WORK

Look over my shoulder as I show you around my studio world. Inside students will find a lot of professional advice – including how to setup your demo templates, tips for working with clients, and specific tricks that can only be pulled off with software.

• Practical Topics: Defining a great production, organizing your session, what to include in your templates, hard drive organization, working with clients
• Tips/Tricks: duplicating/parallel/aux, octaves/pitch tricks, randomizing, humanizing, panning, reverse tricks, vocal textures, and more

HOW TO CREATE INSTRUMENTALS THAT ENCOURAGE
CO-WRITING

Look through my sessions I’ve sent to clients to co-write on songs like Love Came Down, God I Look To You, and more.

• Learn about the balance between too much and not enough
• Moving vs polished
• How dynamics differ in song writing and sequencing
• How to best serve a lyricist or melody writer
• A cheat sheet of chord progressions
• Many practical examples that will show students how simple and easy the process can be
• Practical business advice for creating a thriving song writing community

THE WEIRD AND ESOTERIC ELEMENTS OF SYNTHESIS – AND HOW TO USE THEM EFFECTIVELY

How to take these otherwise confusing synthesis concepts and create useful and inspiring patches.

• The ideas that separate FM, Granular, and Additive from Subtractive Synthesis
• What is identical amongst all the synthesis concepts
• What you ACTUALLY need to understand about them
• What each does well, and where it’s typically weak

HOW TO USE THESE IDEAS LIVE, AND HOW TO RUN TRACKS

My two acclaimed workshops from 2015 – Transform Your Live Rig and A-Z Live Tracks In Ableton.

• Learn how to transform your live rig from a “box full of patches,” to a dynamic and powerful synthesis system capable of infinite sound possibilities
• How to setup your hardware controls for maximum capability
• Learn about the power of busses
• Learn how to run tracks in a spontaneous environment
• Learn how to setup tracks to be spontaneous and yet have a minimum amount of button presses
• Keep everything CPU friendly