The PlasticSynth Academy
Learn how sound works — then turn it into music.
A synthesizer is not magic — it's a handful of simple ideas stacked cleverly. This is a plain-English tour of how they make sound, and the best part is that every idea here is a button you can press: each topic links to the PlasticSynth instrument built on it, with a little interactive demo along the way.
Start with the two foundations, then pick a synthesis method.
Foundations
SYN-01foundation
Sound & waveforms
What a sound wave is, the four classic shapes, and why a bright saw and a hollow square sound so different — the harmonics.
PS-WAV draw
SYN-02foundation
The synth voice
The path a note takes through a synth: an oscillator makes the tone, a filter shapes it, an amplifier and its ADSR envelope give it a life.
PS-303 acid
Methods of synthesis
SYN-03synthesis method
Subtractive synthesis
Start rich, then remove: a resonant filter sweeps away harmonics to sculpt a sound. The sound of analog synths, and of acid.
PS-303 acid
SYN-04synthesis method
FM synthesis
One oscillator modulates another's frequency; the ratio and depth turn a plain sine into bells, e-pianos and clangs.
PS-DX fm
SYN-05synthesis method
Additive synthesis
Add pure sine waves at different frequencies and levels to build a tone from scratch — the idea behind drawbar organs.
PS-ORG organ
SYN-06synthesis method
Wavetable synthesis
Store one or many single-cycle waveforms and read through them — even draw your own — for tones that morph over time.
PS-WAV draw
SYN-07synthesis method
Physical modeling
Feed a burst of noise into a tuned, decaying delay loop and it rings like a plucked string — an instrument built from maths, not samples.
PS-KS koto
SYN-08synthesis method
Modal synthesis
Real objects ring at a handful of inharmonic modes when struck. Model those partials, each with its own decay, for mallets and bells.
PS-BAR bars
SYN-09synthesis method
Granular synthesis
Slice audio into millisecond grains and replay them in overlapping clouds — stretch, freeze and smear any sound into texture.
PS-GRN grain
SYN-10making it move
Sequencing & generative
Step grids, euclidean rhythms and cellular automata turn a single voice into a groove — and generative rules can compose it for you.
PS-EUC euclid
Making music
Once you can shape a sound, put it to work: make a groove, connect chords and bass, write one memorable idea, arrange the loop, then give every part a place.
MUS-01making music
Rhythm & groove
Build a pulse from steps, then turn it into a groove with backbeat, accents, swing and deliberate empty space.
PS-16 drum grid
MUS-02making music
Basslines that connect
Start on chord roots, leave room for the kick, then use octave, fifth and one passing note to create direction.
PS-BAS bass
MUS-03making music
Chords & progressions
Build triads from the scale, hear tonic and tension, then connect chords with the smallest possible note movements.
PS-PRG progression
MUS-04making music
Melody, motifs & variation
Shape a short motif with contour and rhythm, repeat it, then vary the ending instead of replacing the whole idea.
PS-SEQ sequencer
MUS-05making music
Arrangement with scenes
Turn one loop into Intro, Main, Break and Drop by changing density and mutes before writing any new notes.
MUS-06making music
Mixing: level, width & space
Balance from the main part outward, keep the low end centred, then use pan and effects to create width and depth.
MUS-07making music
Sampling as material
Compare pitched sampling with granular clouds, choose useful source sounds and transform them without uploading anything.
PS-GRN grain