Rhodes Chroma: The power beneath the surface
Discover the story of the rare Rhodes Chroma with exclusive photos not found in Synth Gems 1 – a cool look into one of the most advanced synths of its time.
Alex Ball: From Guitar to Godular
Composer and synth enthusiast Alex Ball joins Nadia Struiwigh to talk creative workflows, why hardware still wins, and how his journey from guitars to modular has shaped his music – and his YouTube success.
The synthesizer – an introduction (Part 2)
In this second part of our synthesizer introduction, we explore how core building blocks, such as VCOs, filters, envelopes, and modulation, work – using classic instruments like the Jupiter-8, Alesis Andromeda, Crumar DS2, and Moog Sonic Six to illustrate key concepts.
The synthesizer – an introduction (Part 1)
Synthesizers may seem wildly different, but most follow the same core ideas. This beginner-friendly guide breaks down the basic building blocks – LFO, VCO, VCF, ENV, VCA – and shows how signal flow, control voltages, and front panel design come together to create sound from scratch.
Podcast Episode 1: Gareth Jones – from Depeche Mode to modular explorations
In the premiere episode of the Patch & Tweak Podcast, legendary producer Gareth Jones (Depeche Mode, Wire, Erasure) joins us from his London studio to talk early electronic music, modular adventures, and his current work with Sunroof and ElectroGenetic.
From piano and tape to groove boxes: the True Cuckoo journey
From early experiments with piano, tape decks, and video game melodies to building groove box-based live sets and a beloved YouTube channel, True Cuckoo talks to Nadia Struiwigh about his creative journey, performance style, and the joy of staying playful with music.
Basic Concept 10: Random Sources
Random voltage generators bring organic variation to synth patches. Learn how smooth, stepped, and trigger-based randomness can add life, unpredictability, and evolving textures to your sounds.
Basic Concept 9: LFOs
LFOs bring movement to synthesis by modulating parameters like filter cutoff and pulse width. Learn about waveform types, sync, delay, and how to shape modulation for evolving, expressive sounds.
Basic Concept 8: Envelopes
Envelope generators shape how a sound evolves over time – from percussive hits to swelling textures. Learn the basics of AD, ADSR, and looping envelopes, and how they control amplitude, filters, and timbre in a synthesizer.
Basic Concept 7: Waveshaping
Waveshaping alters the harmonic makeup of a waveform to create new timbres. Learn how techniques like saturation, rectification, and wavefolding shape sound, and how modulating these parameters brings movement and complexity.
Basic Concept 6: Filter Resonance
Filter resonance – also called Q or emphasis – boosts harmonics near the cutoff point, creating vowel-like tones and dramatic peaks. Learn how resonance shapes sound and brings filters to life in expressive, musical ways.
Basic Concept 5: Filter Slopes
A filter’s slope determines how steeply it removes harmonics beyond the cutoff point. Learn how 1-, 2-, 4-, and even 8-pole filters shape sound with increasing intensity – from subtle roll-offs to dramatic tonal sculpting.