Welsh's Synthesizer Cookbook, Vol 2: Harmonic Catalog Paperback – January 1, 2010

Almost too detailed.While the Synth CookBook volume 1 had a fair amount of theory to get you working with subtractive synthesis, this book is almost ALL pages of screenshots of spectrograms, indicating the (relative) peaks of the frequency-characteristics of a sound.The only problem is that they don't necessarily show if/how the tone-character may change or sweep in any sounds, so you've got the recipe for static tonalities ("ah", "eh", flute, male choir, etc).The included additive synth hardware is a FANTASTIC tool for learning additive synthesis, and it really helps to use this cookbook like a cookbook:1- pick a sound2- consult the spectrum to pick out the peaks3- explore and adjust harmonic-amplitudes in the plugin4- listen and adjust to tasteThis is the best pair of informational and practical resources going for this particular niche.well done Fred !

If you are looking to purchase this "CookBook", hopefully you will consider getting his other Cookbook too. These two books are phenomenal references for all things synthesis. Plus, Fred keeps the information VERY digestible and easy to understand so that you can also recreate the patches yourself.This book mainly gives you a harmonic catalog to work from. It will be worth using because you can use this as a jumping point to your synthesis projects and also how to put together patches that are worth using on your soft or hard synths in your next musical or sound project.Happy synthesizing!

Bought volume I and II for my son for Christmas and he loves them. The author signed both volumes and my son is so pleased! Thank you for a great book!!!

Perhaps useful for a sound engineer with knowledge of viewing waveforms to create sounds. I was expecting more information on how to create these various sounds based on oscillation and ADSLR adjustments.The book is full of screenshots of the "waveforms" that make up different sounds but no information on how to create those sonics.

I brought my Ensoniq esq-1 in 1988 this synthesizer was easy to use this book is a must own for any one who wants to learn how to create sound and the author explains this in detail about sound.

Just so you know - don’t expect anything other than spectrum analysis of different instruments.

pair this with the first cookbook and you can visually interpret sound and train your ears on synthesis. must have

I have volume one Welsh's Synthesizer Cookbook and it is a true Volume 2. By itself, it is a catalogue of waveforms present by harmonic content and if you are very proficient Synth programmer then it may provide value in developing sounds for some new project. I am not proficient but with the first volume, it becomes a real aid in building your inventory of sounds. I am very grateful to Mr. Welsh for both of his books. Excavating sounds from an analogue synth. is a real joy for me because of his efforts.Thanks