Books
Here's a list of books relating to synthesizers and electronic music that we think are worth reading.
Click on the book cover image to view more information and purchase them on Amazon.com. We do not sell these books.
Feel free to suggest a book.
by Mark Vail
History of synthesizers, overview of current synthesizers, tips on usage and more.
by Terence Thomas
A practical guide for musicians and sound engineers on buying, building, modifying, and using electronic sound synthesizers.
by Trevor Pinch, Frank Trocco
This book deals with the first years of electronic music instruments and their builders. Plenty of interviews and pictures.
by Ben Kettlewell
From Leon Theremin to software synths, and from Kraftwerk to gangster rap, the electronic music explosion has made an impact on almost every aspect of the music industry. This book tells the exciting stories of the people and inventions that revolutionized the musical sound palette.
by Brent Hurtig
Good introduction to synthesier operation. Also covers MIDI, mixers and recording.
by Mark Vail
A great book covering all those modulars from the past. Lots of pictures and interviews.
by Fred Welsh
Synthesizer programming, sound analysis/reverse engineering, and universal patch book
by Gary Davis, Ralph Jones
Everyone who works with any type of sound systems MUST HAVE this book. Covers the basics and advanced topics. Everything from mics, mixers, speakers, amps, cabling, MIDI etc. Also includes tutorials on various sound-related concepts such as Decibels, crosstalk, etc.
by Reinhard Schmitz
Basics of sound, history of synthesizers, discussion of waveforms, filters, controllers, effects, etc.
by Greg Rule
Techno music and the gear that creates it.
by Iara Lee, Peter Shapiro, Simon Reynolds
History of electronic music and sound generation with discussion of sampling and mixing.
by Joel Chadabe
With a truly global perspective, this vivid and readable narrative provides a comprehensive overview of the history of electronic music.
by Vladimir Bogdanov, Chris Woodstra, Stephen tho Erlewine, John Bush
This comprehensive guide profiles the careers of hundreds of major artists such as Aphex Twin and the Prodigy, and reviews thousands of the best electronica recordings. Incisive essays explore electronica's widely varied subgenres.