Editorial Reviews
Product Description:Cakewalk's software synthesizers are some of the most powerful and most widely used in the market. Until now, there hasn't been one comprehensive resource to help users harness the power of all of these amazing tools. Cakewalk Synthesizers: From Presets to Power User will show you how to operate and get the best results from Cakewalk's complete range of synths, from those that are bundled with Cakewalk's main products (including SONAR, Project5, and Kinetic), to the rgc:audio synthesizers (such as Z3TA+), to Cakewalk's newest synthesizers, including Dimension Pro and Rapture. The book begins by diving into the general theories about synthesis and creating sounds with the featured synthesizers. From there, the chapters focus on each distinct synthesizer, its range of uses, the tools that are available with it, and how to set it up for day-to-day use. In addition to looking at all of the different synthesizers and how to use them in your productions, the book also discusses filters, envelopes, effects, the sfz format, how to make sounds and create patches, and much, much more. Also included with the book is an interview with the creator of many of the synthesizers, as well as sound design master classes from several leading synthesizer programmers. Chances are, you won't have every synthesizer covered in this book. That's okay, because this book has something for everyone, whether you own all the synths covered or you only use the ones that come with your host program. It's also useful if you just want to learn about synthesis. Simply put, this is the ultimate guide to learning about synthesizer programming and to understanding and using all of Cakewalk's synthesizers!
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
Dimension Pro/Rapture Users Delight, May 18, 2008
By
Dr. Howard (Portland, Oregon USA)
This book is a rare gem on a topic near and dear to my heart (Since first laying my eyes on an Arp Odyssey), but often not expounded upon with enough detail. Simon Cann, however, has provided a very deep source book for Cakewalk users in general, as well as a detailed guide for comprehending wavetable and sampling synthesis.
I am still slogging through the almost infinite presets which come with Dimension Pro and Rapture, as well as drilling down into creating my own sounds. I highly recommend this book to anyone with the desire to get down and spend some serious time creating their own sounds with the VSTs and AUs of today! If the competition (NI - Arturia -IK) would only provide similar guides, the sonic world could be a greater and more creative place. These plug-ins have become complicated enough to warrant such manuals and I salute Mr. Cann for his efforts!
Cakewalk Synths: Thumbs Up, February 6, 2008
By
C. BurgesThis book has a lot of useful information that is very hard to find elsewhere, from the basics of synthesis to descriptions of all the Cakewalk synthesizers. I especially liked the web material that accompanies the book - the extra chapters and pointers to download free tools like Triangle 2 (which I used to learn the basics). I am mostly a beginner at using Sonar and this book was a significant help. My only criticism is that the book is already out of date - e.g. the chapter on Session Drummer 2 says "at the time of this writing, it was so new that only a release candidate version was available" - but Session Drummer 2 has been available for a while (in both Sonar 7 and 6). Also some of the user interfaces to the programs have changed since the book was published.
Learning Sonar is tough (hey, Cakewalk - please have non-engineers review your tutorial material!) - this book is helping.
The Subtitle Says It All!, May 13, 2007
By
Richard K. Ingalls (Midwest USA)
The book contains a great introduction to "virtual analog" synths which applies regardless of whether its a Cakewalk product or not. Each chapter dives into the depths of a specific Cakewalk synth, many of which are bundled with various Cakewalk products, so this book is like an addendum to the owner's manual. I don't consider myself a synth "tweakhead" so I found this book EXACTLY what I needed! For musicians who like to tweak their synths instead of simply playing the Presets, this is the book that explains what you're doing when you adjust those knobs, dials and sliders. Very nice!
All you need is a host program (Cakewalk's Sonar, Home Studio or Project5 will be fine) and you've already got some of these synths in your software arsenal. You can download some of these synths for free from Cakewalk! I recommend purchasing Dimension Pro. I've been playing around with Z3TA+ and am eyeballing Rapture as well. These are serious studio quality synths, each with a TON of power. This book details how to harness that power and put it to work in your music.
Excellent resource!, March 11, 2007
By
D. Taggart (Maryland)
I have needed this book for years. Step by step, thorough instructions that have helped me to really explore the deep possibilities in Cakewalk synths. The accompanying downloads make the value of this book increase exponentially. The section on Z3TA+ is worth the price of admission and then some. Thanks!
Cakewalk Synth Sound Designing 101, February 2, 2007
By
W. LiferidgeGreat book. Although, could not down load the down loadable chapters. A must for, "Cakewalk Synths Users". Goes into good details about sound designing.
