Course — Los Angeles
Synthesis and Sound Design Class | Los Angeles
At a glance
Duration
24 hours
Format
In-person in Los Angeles
Tuition
$2250 Tuition + $300 Registration Fee
Synthesis and Sound Design
Elevate your skills as an Electronic Artist or Music Producer with our 24-hour Express Synthesis and Sound Design Course. In focused classes (max 8 students), this hands-on program empowers you to craft unique sounds from your imagination or favorite songs directly in your DAW.
Intro to Sound Design
- →Synthesis and Sound Design Overview:
- →Definitions and applications in Music, Film Scoring, Video Games and UI/UX
- →Overview of tools: Synthesizers in DAWs -Ableton Live / Logic Pro, 3rd Party- Serum
- →Core concepts: Subtractive Synthesis, Oscillators, Filters, Envelopes, and LFOs
- →Signal flow in a Subtractive Synthesizer architecture
Synthesis Fundamentals
- →VCO & DCO
- →Oscillator Tuning, Mixing and Unison
- →Waveforms: Sin, Triangle, Square/Pulse, Sawtooth, Noise
- →Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
- →VCF, Filter types: Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass, Band Reject/Notch
- →Filter Cutoff, Resonance/Peak, Slope
- →VCA
- →Portamento / Glide
- →Envelope Destinations, ADSR, Multi Stage Envelopes and Looping
- →LFO Destinations, Rate (Free/Sync), LFO Delay
- →More Waveforms- Reverse Saw, Sample & Hold, Supersaw
- →MIDI Controller Data, Velocity, Aftertouch, Pitch, Mod, Macros, Mod Matrix
- →Creating synth patches from scratch demonstrating fundamental concepts
Advanced Synthesis Techniques
- →Frequency Modulation (FM), Famous DX7
- →Operators, Algorithms, FM Matrix
- →Creating Metallic sounds (Bells, Percs), Organic Instruments (Organ, Woodwinds, Strings, EPs)
- →FM Distortion
- →Wavetable Synthesis
- →WT Position, Modulation, Importing your own Wave Tables
- →Ring Modulation, Amplitude Modulation
- →Creating Patches using Advanced techniques
Drums and Perc Sound Design
- →Anatomy and Design of Kicks, Toms, Snares, Percs and Hi hats
- →Pitch Envelope, Shaping Transients, Body, and Texture
- →Using Filter Drive (Distortion) and other audio effects for enhancement
- →Creating unique drum loops using custom designed sounds
Bass Sound Design
- →808s
- →Sub Bass, Mid Bass & Lead Bass creation
- →Bass Envelopes & LFOs, Automation
- →SideChain
- →Layering techniques for depth & clarity, Stereo Field for Bass
- →Applications in various genres
Leads, Plucks, Stabs, Arpeggios, Pads, Textures
- →Plucks- Using Filter Envelopes
- →Stabs- Using Layers
- →Layering Leads, Modulation and Glide
- →Arpeggios & Step Sequences- Gates & Note Length, Octaves, Hold, Random
- →Pads- Designing atmospheric pads and evolving soundscapes.
- →Creating textures using Reverb and Delay (Shimmer etc)
- →Applications for above sounds in Music & Background Scoring / Ambient Music
Creative Sampling and Granular Synthesis
- →Techniques for sampling and resampling
- →Granular synthesis
- →Creating Instruments from audio clips
- →Manipulating sounds for unique effects
Modulation and Automation
- →Advanced uses of LFO& Envelopes
- →MPE compatible synths & controllers
- →Parameter Automation for Evolving Sounds
- →Combining Multiple Modulation layers for complexity
Transitions and Special FX
- →Risers, Impacts & Ambient FX
- →Advanced use of Noise & Distortion
- →Applications in Electronic Music & Cinematic Effects
Mixing and Finalizing Sounds, Portfolios
- →Mixing techniques for Clarity, Enhancement & Cohesion
- →Using EQ, Compression & Spacial Effects to elevate your work
- →Export formats & Project integration
- →Sound Design Portfolios
Reverse Engineering Sounds and Hardware Synths
- →Reverse Engineering popular sounds in records using Software Synths.
- →Reverse Engineering and comparing Hardware Synths.
- →Using Hardware Synths in projects.
- →Layering and using Audio Processing to enhance sounds.
- →Peer & Instructor Feedback
- →Tips & next steps
- →GARNISH LA STUDIO A GEARLIST
- →Studio set up- Pro Tools HDX with Apogee Dual Set up
- →Convertor- Lynx Aurora 8
- →Speakers- Adam S3V with Adam Sub 12, Yamaha NS10s with Bryston 4B Amp
- →Monitor Control- Dangerous D Box
- →Microphone- Manley Reference Cardioid, Shure SM57s
- →Pre Amps- Chandler Limited TG2, Heritage Audio 1073
- →Reverb- Bricasti Design M7
- →Compressors- Teletronix LA2A, Urei (Universal Audio) 1176, SSL XLogic G-series Compressor, Empirical Labs EL-8 Distressor
- →Piano- Yamaha U3
- →Universal Audio Satellite
- →Synthesizers & Drum Machines- Roland Juno 60 (with MIDI), Juno 106, JX3P, Sequential Prophet Rev 2, Mellotron M4000D, Korg MS20, Triton Studio, Moog Subphatty, Yamaha DX7, YS200, Behringer Poly D, RD-8, Neutron, Arturia Matrix Brute. More exotic pieces like the Formanta Polivoks, EMS 01, Sequential Prophet 10, Erica Synths Perkons HD-01 and other semi modular pieces available upon request in selected classes!
- →All synths are MIDI connected for DAW use via iconnectivity MIO and Clever Audio MXM 12 Synth switcher. We also have a guitar pedal collection for sonic experiments in studio.
Who is this course for?
- →Aspiring Artists looking to develop their sonic signature learning from Multi-Platinum Producers
- →DJs looking to learn the language of Sound Design and Reverse Engineer sounds from their favorite records
- →Musicians who want a complete course in Synthesizers and get well versed in all forms of Synthesis
- →Producers looking for creative inspiration in Sampling and advanced audio manipulation, thereby making memorable beats
- →Sound Designers who wants to dive into the world of Video Games, Film, TV & VR or fill their gaps in workflow
Course Highlights
- →24 hours of world-class training in Synthesis (Subtractive, Wavetable, Granular & FM)
- →Sampling, Looping, Slicing, Warping, Creating Instruments and Effects as unique inspirations
- →Billboard chart-topping instructors teach in limited focused class sizes
- →Reverse Engineering sounds from your favorite records & Using our vintage & boutique hardware synth collection in your projects.
- →Exclusive Garnish Sample Libraries & Discounted software from our partners like Arturia and Sound Particles.
Prerequisites
- →Laptop with DAW software installed (Ableton, Logic, FL Studio or Pro Tools)
- →This is not a beginner course and requires a solid understanding of your DAW or completion of one of our DAW courses.
Contact us if you have any questions. This class is also included in our comprehensive Music Producer Program.
Intro to Sound Design
- →Synthesis and Sound Design Overview:
- →Definitions and applications in Music, Film Scoring, Video Games and UI/UX
- →Overview of tools: Synthesizers in DAWs -Ableton Live / Logic Pro, 3rd Party- Serum
- →Core concepts: Subtractive Synthesis, Oscillators, Filters, Envelopes, and LFOs
- →Signal flow in a Subtractive Synthesizer architecture
Synthesis Fundamentals
- →VCO & DCO
- →Oscillator Tuning, Mixing and Unison
- →Waveforms: Sin, Triangle, Square/Pulse, Sawtooth, Noise
- →Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
- →VCF, Filter types: Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass, Band Reject/Notch
- →Filter Cutoff, Resonance/Peak, Slope
- →VCA
- →Portamento / Glide
- →Envelope Destinations, ADSR, Multi Stage Envelopes and Looping
- →LFO Destinations, Rate (Free/Sync), LFO Delay
- →More Waveforms- Reverse Saw, Sample & Hold, Supersaw
- →MIDI Controller Data, Velocity, Aftertouch, Pitch, Mod, Macros, Mod Matrix
- →Creating synth patches from scratch demonstrating fundamental concepts
Advanced Synthesis Techniques
- →Frequency Modulation (FM), Famous DX7
- →Operators, Algorithms, FM Matrix
- →Creating Metallic sounds (Bells, Percs), Organic Instruments (Organ, Woodwinds, Strings, EPs)
- →FM Distortion
- →Wavetable Synthesis
- →WT Position, Modulation, Importing your own Wave Tables
- →Ring Modulation, Amplitude Modulation
- →Creating Patches using Advanced techniques
Drums and Perc Sound Design
- →Anatomy and Design of Kicks, Toms, Snares, Percs and Hi hats
- →Pitch Envelope, Shaping Transients, Body, and Texture
- →Using Filter Drive (Distortion) and other audio effects for enhancement
- →Creating unique drum loops using custom designed sounds
Bass Sound Design
- →808s
- →Sub Bass, Mid Bass & Lead Bass creation
- →Bass Envelopes & LFOs, Automation
- →SideChain
- →Layering techniques for depth & clarity, Stereo Field for Bass
- →Applications in various genres
Leads, Plucks, Stabs, Arpeggios, Pads, Textures
- →Plucks- Using Filter Envelopes
- →Stabs- Using Layers
- →Layering Leads, Modulation and Glide
- →Arpeggios & Step Sequences- Gates & Note Length, Octaves, Hold, Random
- →Pads- Designing atmospheric pads and evolving soundscapes.
- →Creating textures using Reverb and Delay (Shimmer etc)
- →Applications for above sounds in Music & Background Scoring / Ambient Music
Creative Sampling and Granular Synthesis
- →Techniques for sampling and resampling
- →Granular synthesis
- →Creating Instruments from audio clips
- →Manipulating sounds for unique effects
Modulation and Automation
- →Advanced uses of LFO& Envelopes
- →MPE compatible synths & controllers
- →Parameter Automation for Evolving Sounds
- →Combining Multiple Modulation layers for complexity
Transitions and Special FX
- →Risers, Impacts & Ambient FX
- →Advanced use of Noise & Distortion
- →Applications in Electronic Music & Cinematic Effects
Mixing and Finalizing Sounds, Portfolios
- →Mixing techniques for Clarity, Enhancement & Cohesion
- →Using EQ, Compression & Spacial Effects to elevate your work
- →Export formats & Project integration
- →Sound Design Portfolios
Reverse Engineering Sounds and Hardware Synths
- →Reverse Engineering popular sounds in records using Software Synths.
- →Reverse Engineering and comparing Hardware Synths.
- →Using Hardware Synths in projects.
- →Layering and using Audio Processing to enhance sounds.
- →Peer & Instructor Feedback
- →Tips & next steps
- →GARNISH LA STUDIO A GEARLIST
- →Studio set up- Pro Tools HDX with Apogee Dual Set up
- →Convertor- Lynx Aurora 8
- →Speakers- Adam S3V with Adam Sub 12, Yamaha NS10s with Bryston 4B Amp
- →Monitor Control- Dangerous D Box
- →Microphone- Manley Reference Cardioid, Shure SM57s
- →Pre Amps- Chandler Limited TG2, Heritage Audio 1073
- →Reverb- Bricasti Design M7
- →Compressors- Teletronix LA2A, Urei (Universal Audio) 1176, SSL XLogic G-series Compressor, Empirical Labs EL-8 Distressor
- →Piano- Yamaha U3
- →Universal Audio Satellite
- →Synthesizers & Drum Machines- Roland Juno 60 (with MIDI), Juno 106, JX3P, Sequential Prophet Rev 2, Mellotron M4000D, Korg MS20, Triton Studio, Moog Subphatty, Yamaha DX7, YS200, Behringer Poly D, RD-8, Neutron, Arturia Matrix Brute. More exotic pieces like the Formanta Polivoks, EMS 01, Sequential Prophet 10, Erica Synths Perkons HD-01 and other semi modular pieces available upon request in selected classes!
- →All synths are MIDI connected for DAW use via iconnectivity MIO and Clever Audio MXM 12 Synth switcher. We also have a guitar pedal collection for sonic experiments in studio.
Why choose Garnish for this class?
Side-by-Side Overview
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Real-time Feedback & Collaboration
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Fully Equipped Pro Scroll down to see moreGarnish LA Studio Gear ListStudents plug in their computers to access the studios for projects. Classes are conducted on instructor laptops or Macs that are pre-connected to each room.Studio ASystem: Avid ProTools HDXAlt System: Apogee ElementConvertor: Lynx AuroraMic Preamps: Chandler TG2, Neve 1073Synth DI+ Switcher: Clever Audio MXM 12Compressors: Urei 1176, Teletronix LA2A, Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor, SSL XLogic G Series compressorReverb: Bricasti M7Monitor Control: Dangerous D BoxPatchbay: Switchcraft StudioPatch 9625, 96 TT Patch points to DB25Universal Audio Satellite Plug-in DSP AcceleratorSpeakers: Adam S3X-V, Adam Sub 12, Yamaha NS10 with Bryston 4B Power ampMIDI Interface: iConnectivity mio 10Microphones: Manley Reference Cardioid, Neumann TLM 103, Shure SM7, Shure SM57, SM58Piano: Yamaha U3Fender Rhodes: Mark ii Suitcase 88Drum Machine: Behringer RD8Synthesizers: Roland Juno 60, Roland Juno 106, Roland JX3P, Mellotron 4000D mini, Sequential Prophet Rev 2, Behringer Poly D, Korg MS20, Korg Triton Studio, Yamaha DX7, Yamaha YS200, Moog Sub PhattyAcoustic Guitar: MartinSuzuki OmnichordMIDI Controller: Arturia KeyLab 88, M-Audio Keystation 49Pedal Board: Meris, OBNE, Catalinbread, Boss and many more pedalsMajor 3rd party Audio Plug-ins and Software Instruments (see partners list)Video: DJI Osmo Pocket 3, Amaran and Godux Lighting set upHeadphones (many): Audiotechnica ATH-M50X, AKG K240Studio BSystem: Steven Slate Raven MTiAudio Interface: RME Babyface Pro FSMic Preamps: API 512 C (x2), AEA TRP 3DI: AEA TDI DuoCompressor: Audioscape LA2AMonitor Control: Dangerous D BoxSpeakers: Adam S2V, Adam Sub 10, Yamaha NS10 with Yamaha Power AmpMicrophones: AEA R84A Ribbon, Neumann TLM 103, Shure SM7, Shure SM57Drum Machine: Erica Synths Perkons HD-01, Behringer EdgeSynthesizers: Formanta EMS-01, Formanta Polivoks, Sequential Prophet 10, Expressive E Osmose, Korg MS20, Korg Trinity V3 Pro, Behringer NeutronMIDI Controller: Arturia Keystep 37Pedal Board: Meris, OBNE, Catalinbread, Boss and many more pedalsVideo: DJI Osmo Pocket 3, Amaran and Godux Lighting set upHeadphones (many): Audiotechnica ATH-M50X, AKG K240Studio CAudio Interface: Universal Audio Apollo X8Speakers: Adam S2V, Adam Sub8, Auratone Mix CubesMic Preamps: Chandler TG2Compressor: Audioscape SSL G Series Bus CompressorMicrophone: Manley Reference Cardioid, Shure SM57Synthesizer: Dave Smith Mopho X4Guitars, BassHeadphones (many): Audiotechnica ATH-M50X, AKG K240Studio D - DJ LabAudio Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 212, Mackie Big KnobSpeakers: Yamaha HS8, Yamaha HS8S SubMIDI Controller: M Audio OxygenMicrophone: Shure SM57DJ Controller: Pioneer XDJ R (x2)Headphones (many): Audiotechnica ATH-M50X, AKG K240Classroom / LabAudio Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 212Speakers: Yamaha HS7MIDI Controllers (many): M Audio OxygenElectric Piano: Yamaha P 115 - 88 KeysMixer: Behringer EURORACK PRO RX1602 Line MixerMicrophones: Shure SM7B, SM57 (x2), Marshall MXL 770 CondenserCDJs: Pioneer XDJ 1000 mk2 (x2)DJ Mixer: Pioneer DJM 900Synthesizer: Arturia Matrix BrutePerformance LoungeSpeakers: Mackie HR 824, Yamaha HS 8Monitor Speaker: Jeecoo SpeakerElectric Guitar: Epiphone Les Paul, Acoustic and Electric guitar choices availableGuitar Amp: Orange Crush 20RTVarious Shakers and PercussionMIDI Keyboard: Arturia Keylab MKII 88 Key Weighted MIDI Controller, Synthesizers available to check outMicrophones: Shure SM57 (many), other mics available to check out like SM7BAudio Interfaces available: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, Focusrite Scarlett Solo, Mackie Big KnobProjector: Epson EX9200Studio E and Studio F are project studios available for overflow. Both fully equipped and treated with Studio Monitors, Microphone collection ready to plug in laptops.
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Ableton & Apple Certified Training Center
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Award Winning Instructors
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Exclusive LA Events & Master Classes
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- →Synth collection: Roland Juno 106, Juno 60, JX3P, Sequential Prophet Rev 2, Mellotron M4000D, Moog Subphatty, Poly D, RD8, Korg MS20, Arturia MatrixBrute, Triton Studio, Yamaha DX7.
- →Formanta Polivoks, EMS-01, Sequential Prophet 10, Erica Synths Perkons HD-01 and other semi modular pieces and effects pedals available upon request.
Meet Our World-class Instructors
Our instructor roster ranges from Multi-Platinum Songwriters and Producers to rising LA Hitmakers and Artists
Our Students Say. . .
“Both instructors were extremely knowledgeable, and quickly adapted to the areas which I needed the most work. There's also no substitute for being face to face with an instructor, to immediately address any logjams in the workflow.”
CJ DeLeo
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
24 hours in an “Express” format, usually two sessions a week — typically Tuesday and Thursday, or Thursday and Saturday. Ask us for the current schedule options when you reserve your place.
No. The course opens with an introduction to sound design and synthesis fundamentals before moving into advanced techniques, so it works whether you are starting out or filling gaps in what you already do.
Drums and percussion, bass, leads, plucks, stabs, arpeggios, pads and textures, plus transitions and special effects — and you will finish by mixing those sounds and assembling a portfolio of your own patches.
You work in your own DAW with its native instruments and the soft synths you already own, so what you learn transfers straight to your own projects. The course also covers creative sampling, granular synthesis, and reverse-engineering sounds from records and hardware synths.
Capped at 8 students, in person in Los Angeles.
$2,250 tuition plus a $300 registration fee. The $300 reserves your place and the tuition is paid to enroll. This class is also included in our comprehensive Music Producer Program.
Tuition
Synthesis and Sound Design (24 Hrs)
$2,250 Tuition + $300 Registration Fee
Enroll now — max 8 spots!
Enrollment Steps
- 01Pay $300 Registration Fee to reserve.
- 02Pay tuition $2,250 to enroll, get welcome packet. All major credit cards accepted.
Ready to get started?
Enroll nowFrom the blog
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