CLASSIC SOUND DESIGN
Computer Music|January 2023
The history of sound design is littered with synth and sampling techniques that could transform your sound.
CLASSIC SOUND DESIGN

In the rush to fill our hard drives with cutting-edge plugins and music-making tech, it's easy to dismiss the humble roots of sound design. Tape-splicing, rudimentary synthesiser chips and early hardware samplers were all tools of the trade that, while considered primitive by today's standards, all spawned unique sounds that birthed the electronic music we all love.

In this feature, we'll look at four genres of sound generation, and show you ways to incorporate these classic sounds into your tracks by harnessing the spirit of innovation that these synthesis pioneers championed.

First, we'll travel back to the 1960s and take a look at how the BBC Radiophonic Workshop innovators used tape editing, filters and early analogue synthesis to create the sound effects and ambience of Doctor Who, and give you some tips on how these freaky sounds can give today's tunes some retro personality.

Next, we'll jump forward to the Age of Roland - aka the 1980s - and explore some of the classic synthesis techniques used in synthpop and analogue synthesis. Think bouncy bass, lush pads and plucky arpeggios.

This story is from the January 2023 edition of Computer Music.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 2023 edition of Computer Music.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM COMPUTER MUSICView All
Sonuscore The Score $399 PC MAC
Computer Music

Sonuscore The Score $399 PC MAC

The Score comes up with a film soundtrack based on your stylistic choices, but that’s just the start of it. Andy Jones scores The Score

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Baby Audio Humanoid $129 PC MAC
Computer Music

Baby Audio Humanoid $129 PC MAC

Humanoid brings the ‘extreme’ and ‘radical’ to the world of vocals, but is also one of the easiest plugins to use and abuse, says Andy Jones

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
The Synth Factory Horizen $129 PC MAC
Computer Music

The Synth Factory Horizen $129 PC MAC

A synth/sampler that packs in a lot of power at an almost silly price - despite its low profile, Andy Jones gazes at Horizen...

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Flow Mastering Suite $15/month PC MAC
Computer Music

Flow Mastering Suite $15/month PC MAC

Mastering your music just got as easy or as complex as you want. But, Andy Jones asks, is it worth yet another monthly subscription?

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Universal Audio LA-6176 $299 PC MAC
Computer Music

Universal Audio LA-6176 $299 PC MAC

UA has bundled three of its classic emulations into one channel strip. Is this analogue dream your ideal plugin team? Andy Jones finds out

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Rack'em up...
Computer Music

Rack'em up...

IK Multimedia has announced a comprehensive update to its mixing and mastering software, T-RackS, that brings some smart mastering additions

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
FX Collection 5 €499
Computer Music

FX Collection 5 €499

Arturia's huge bundle of effects gets its regular update and it's still easily as essential as the company's V Collection

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Make a pulsing bass with GForce Axxess
Computer Music

Make a pulsing bass with GForce Axxess

Get mechanical, with a garage-inspired bass patch, which gets right to the pulsing heart of the Axxess synthesiser

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
The software that shaped us
Computer Music

The software that shaped us

Computer Music has had a 25-year history, and over the life of this magazine, the technology behind music production has changed beyond recognition. Here are the products that set the stage for the modern world…

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
PERFECT VIRTUAL GUITAR!
Computer Music

PERFECT VIRTUAL GUITAR!

Need a great guitar sound, but lacking any guitar-playing contacts, or the skills to play it yourself? Have no fear, your computer is here! With a few pointers, buying advice and hands-on tips, you and your PC or Mac can emulate the greatest guitarists in the world…

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024