This 1997 release by Martin Russ is one of the best introductions to synthesis and sampling in print. It discusses both analog and digital synthesis concepts and sampling in a fairly non-technical fashion, making it a great way to expand your understanding of synthesizers. Sound Synthesis and Sampling is extensively illustrated with diagrams that help… Read More Sound Synthesis and Sampling
Electronic Music Pioneers, a book by Ben Kettlewell, is a popular history of electronic music. Kettlewell covers the highlights of recent electronic music history, and does it in an easy-to-read fashion. The book features interviews with many of the artists and synth designers that have been influential in shaping the world of popular electronica in… Read More Electronic Music Pioneers
This sprawling book traces the development of ambient music over the past 100 years, from composers like Mahler and Satie, to current musicians like Moby and Aphex Twin. It covers a huge amount of territory, and serves as an easy introduction to many of the significant composers and musicians of the twentieth century. The Ambient… Read More Mark Prendergast – The Ambient Century: From Mahler to Moby – The Evolution in Sound in the Electronic Age
Craig Anderton No writer has done a better job of covering the do-it-yourself world of music electronics than Craig Anderton. He’s written for a variety of music magazines, and covered everything from soldering cables to patching virtual synthesizers. Electronic Projects for Musicians is a great introduction to the DIY world. The Internet has made it… Read More Electronic Music Projects for Musicians
This massive book is biblical in proportion, but unfortunately does not qualify as the bible for electronic music fans. This guide to electronica is nearly 700 pages long, and it manages to cover a great deal of territory. The emphasis is one reviews, and the guide manages to fit in about 600 pages of music… Read More All Music Guide to Electronica
by Mark Vail There are many books about synthesizers and electronic music, but Mark Vail’s Vintage Synthesizers is one of the best. Vintage Synthesizers collects articles originally written for Keyboard magazine by Vail and others. The articles cover notable synthesizers and the companies behind them. In doing so, Vail tells the stories of the people… Read More Vintage Synthesizers, 2nd Edition
Frank Samagaio Back before samplers made the scene in the 80’s, the Mellotron ruled as a source of “lifelike” playback of prerecorded sounds. The Mellotron Book takes you back to the early days of sampling, and explores the unique qualities of this strange instrument. The Mellotron is a keyboard that basically has a tape player… Read More The Mellotron Book
Edited by Peter Shapiro Modulations serves as a good introduction to the various genres of modern dance electronica. It was was written to accompany Iara Lee’s 1998 film of the same name. It is written in a hip style by people you can tell really love electronica. It is stylishly put together, and includes many… Read More Modulations: A History of Electronic Music – Throbbing Words on Sound
Frank Trocco, Trevor Pinch This book is a must-buy for any synth-fan or electronic music lover. This book tells the history of the origin of the synthesizer. But it doesn’t just tell the dates and stories. Instead, it gives you insight into the people that built the first synthesizers. It gives you a feel for… Read More Analog Days: The Invention and Impact of the Moog Synthesizer
