Moog Music Forum

Being new to semi-modular and modular synthesis, I was hoping someone could suggest a good book on understanding CV routing and gate routing. I have just purchased a voyager and will soon aquire the breakout boxes and would like to learn how to make the most out of what they have to offer. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The classic book on modular synthesis techniques is Allen Strange's 'Electronic Music: Systems, Techniques, and Controls'. It's out of print but you could always give amazon a go for a s/h copy:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... ce&s=books

Or you could do what I did and contact McGraw-Hill (UK) directly and get an 'academic' copy (basically a bound photocopy).

Thank you. i appreciate the suggestion and I am attempting to locate the book.

RE: Dr allen Strange

I was intouch with him about 3 years ago when he sent me this e-mail:

My text, Electronic Music, has been reissued by McGraw-Hill Primus
Editions. It may be difficult to get in Europe so if anyone wants a copy
please contact me direct at <astrange@email.sjsu.edu>

I can send you copies at my cost + shipping/etc which should be well
under $40.00 US each

Cheers-

Allen Strange

Not sure if the info's still correct, but give him an e-mail and you may get lucky!

That is a good book. You can do searches for it at bookfinder.com or abebooks.com. If it's been re-issued it should be cheaper.

i found it today through Mcgraw hill for $40. It took a bunch of phone calls to get to the right area and get it ordered but from what i have read online about it, it seems worth it. Even 30 years later this book seems to be seen as the definitive text on modular analog synthesis so i am totally pshyched. I really appreciate the suggestion as I suspect this book will answer most of my questions and keep me from driving the forum members crazy with ameteur hour questions.

The number that I finally got through and orered at was 1-800-338-3987. The regular phone staff has no clue so ask to speak to a Team Leader and tell them the prius sector of the company gave you the number and told you to tell them to put the book order through for you. They will ask you for the ISBN number which is ISBN: 0075232197. Just though I should post this info for any other interested parties here in the USA.

Wow, I need to find that book.

Is McGraw Hill sending you an actual book or a photocopy? From what I've read on a synth mailing list, it wasn't the book and that Allen Strange said it wasn't worth the price, which at that time was $30.00.

Let us know what you receive.

It's a photocopy. But, to me anyway, the value of the book has nothing to do with the print quality...

from everything online and how I phrased my questions to Mcgraw Hill on the phone, I would have to believe that I am getting a high quality, bound photocopy, but I would have to agree with the above poster that from everything I have read about this book in the last day and other owners comments, that the quality of the actual material outweighs the paper it is printed on.

also, i did a search on bookfinder and the cheapest copy is at around $100 and some are in the $250 range, so I'll stick with my overpriced photocopy and save the rest of my pennies for the NAMM moog announcements.

Yea, I paid I think $76 for the actual book (this was like 5 or 6 months ago). Strange should find a publisher to release and updated new version. It would seem appropriate with the recent revival of analog gear.

Another good (old) book I recommend getting is Electronic Music Synthesis : Concepts, Facilities, Techniques by Howe, Hubert S. You can find this one for $10 and although it doesn't go into the detail that Strange does it offers a good background and makes reading Strange a little easier.

anyone know how i can get a copy sent to Australia ?

prize - I am in the southern hemisphere and got my copy from McGrawHill UK.

It's not a high quality photocopy, BTW - it's a bit bleary so it looks like those handouts you get at uni. But it's crammed full of useful info so in that respect it is quite unlike uni handouts

suthnear, how much did you pay for yours from the UK. I talked to Mc Graw in the UK and they said they have to order it from the US anyway.
I think I will just contact the US.