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Created byJ. Anthony Allen

Last updated 11/2025

English

What you'll learn

Design amazing sounds using any synthesizer
Work in Reason to understand synthesis
Work in Ableton Live to understand synthesis
Create any sound you can imagine using whatever software is at your disposal
The 4 Elements to Synthesis
The Oscillator
The Filter
The Envelope
The Amplifier
The LFO
Glide
Trigger Modes
Velocity Control
FM Synthesis

Course content

8 sections • 32 lectures • 3h 4m total length

Introduction & Overview3:11
Welcome to Sound Design Fundamentals: Synthesis! In this introductory video we will talk about the class, what we will cover, and how we will cover it.
Asking Questions1:19
About the Software we will use: Reason and Ableton Live3:02
In this class we will use a few different synthesizers (Subtractor in Reason, Analog and Operator in Ableton Live), to show how you can find all the key elements of any synthesizer, once you understand the main principals of synthesis.
The types of Synthesis we will cover in this class2:25
For this class we will focus on 2 main types of synthesis: Subtractive and FM synthesis. What that means and why will be covered in this video.
The 4 Elements to all Synthesizers4:58
This is it! The main key to understanding all virtual and physical synthesizers. Learn these four elements and you will be able to find your way through any kind of synthesizer and synthesis.

The Subtractor in Reason: The Interface4:34
The Subtractor is a great synth for teaching subtractive synthesis. Finding our four key elements is fairly simple, and the signal flow is easy to follow. For this first section, we will use Subtractor as our main tool for creating sounds with subtractive synthesis.
The Oscillator12:15
The oscillator is the main tone-generator for synthesis. It is one of the most important elements in any synthesizer. In this section, we will look at how Oscillators work, what they do, and what parameters they have for us to understand when crafting our own sounds.
The Filter7:22
In subtractive synthesis, the filter is essential. In other kinds of synthesis (as we will see later in this class) filters are always present. Understanding key elements to a filter will help you sculpt the sounds you really want to design.
Envelopes12:48
The envelope is the "shape" of a sound. How it begins, how it ends, and what happens in between. Envelopes are essential for creating dynamic, expressive sounds.
The Amplifier1:55
Sometimes the amplifier is the most simple of our main four elements. In the case of Reason, it is just a volume knob. But there are some extra parameters you will find in other synths that are important to know about.
Putting it all Together in Reason7:34
Now that we know the main ingredients to a synthesizer, lets start designing some sounds from scratch, but putting everything together in this video.
Using Ableton's Analog for Subtractive Synthesis5:56
Just to prove my theory that understanding these four elements can get you through all kinds of different software synthesizers, here we will switch over to Ableton Live's Analog synthesizer and apply these concepts.

The LFO8:36
The LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) is another element we find in nearly all synthesizers. It is a great tool to add motion and texture to your sound.
Portamento (or Glide)2:36
Portamento (sometimes called Glide) is how long it takes from one note to glide up to the next. Adjusting it can add a new layer to your sounds.
Trigger Modes2:38
The trigger modes of a synthesizer govern how the envelope is applied when you play a group of notes. Knowing the settings for it will help you craft a sound for better melodies and basslines.
Velocity Control5:23
In this section, we will look at some of the modulation possibilities using the velocity of our keyboard, or the velocty parameter in your software.

Subtractive Synthesizer Patch Deconstruction No. 1 (Reason)6:45
In this video, we will take a preset in the Subtractor in Reason and pick it apart. We will walk through what makes it tick, and how slight adjustments can have big effects.
Subtractive Synthesizer Patch Deconstruction No. 2 (Ableton Live)6:30
In this video, we will take a preset in the Analog in Ableton Live and pick it apart. We will walk through what makes it tick, and how slight adjustments can have big effects.

What is FM Synthesis?5:03
FM Synthesis (Frequency Modulation) is a different kind of synthesis that we have looked at so far, but a lot of the same elements still work. Learning how FM works now that we understand subtrative synthesis gives us a huge headstart.
Using Ableton's Operator: The Interface8:09
The Operator in Ableton Live is a complex synthesizer, capable of a lot of different kinds of synthesis. In this video we will take an overview look at the interface and how it works.
Making Sounds Using FM Synthesis4:58
Making sounds using FM isn't that hard now that we understand the basic principals. In this video we will use the Operator in Ableton Live to construct some FM synthesis sounds.
Adding the Additional Elements (From Section 3)3:15
We will have the possiblitiy of adding an LFO, velocty control, and other kinds of modulation to our sounds. Here we look at how to add them and their effects in FM Synthesis.

FM Synthesizer Patch Deconstruction No. 3 (Ableton's Operator)6:35
In this video, we will take a preset in the Operator in Ableton Live and pick it apart. We will walk through what makes it tick, and how slight adjustments can have big effects.
FM Synthesizer Patch Deconstruction No. 4 (Ableton's Operator)5:43
In this video, we will take a preset in the Operator in Ableton Live and pick it apart. We will walk through what makes it tick, and how slight adjustments can have big effects.

Analog Overview1:12
A few notes about how we will be approaching the Analog Instrument.
Analog Basic Outline4:10
First, we will walk through the basic outline and signal flow of Analog, paying special attention to our "4 Key Elements."
Programming Analog14:08
Now its time to get down and dirty: In this lesson we will program our own sounds, and explore some of the parameters in Analog.
Noise and LFO in Analog11:48
A few extra features available to us in Analog, that we will also find in most of Ableton's Instruments.
Bonus Lecture: Live's Impulse Synth10:33
Here is one more synth for us to look at - just for fun. Live's Impulse Synth.
Bonus Lecture: Discount Offers & Mailing List5:45
There is so much more to learn!

Requirements

This course uses both Reason and Ableton Live, but is designed to work on any software (or hardware) platform. So no matter what software you are using, this class will guide you through how to use your synthesizers.

Description

** UDEMY BEST SELLING INSTRUCTOR **

100% Answer Rate! Every single question posted to this class is answered within 24 hours by the instructor.

Welcome to the COMPLETE Sound Design Fundamentals Guide!

This is a class designed for the average person who is ready to dive into making music with synthesis! Whether you are a beginning musician, an active musician, or an aspiring musician - this class is perfect for you!

In Sound Design Fundamentals: Sampling, we will examine the essentials of Sound Design using Ableton Live and Propellerheads' Reason software and focusing on principles of Sampling. We will explore three fundamental topics:

Using synthesis for generating sounds.
Using synthesis to generate new sounds through manipulation and synthesis
Using synthesis to control drum sounds and sequence dynamic drum patterns.

This system keeps the technical jargon to a minimum and gets you making your own sounds quick.

Dr. Allen is a professional musician, top-rated Udemy instructor, and university professor. In 2017 the Star Tribune featured him as a "Mover and a Shaker," and he is recognized by the Grammy Foundation for his music education classes.

Throughout this class, If you get stuck, you can review the videos or post a question, and I'll back to it as fast as possible.

And of course, once you sign up for this course you automatically get huge discounts on all the upcoming parts of this class.

You will not have another opportunity to learn Sound Design in a more comprehensive way than this.

All the tools you need to successfully learn Sound Design are included in this course and the entire course is based on real-life experiences - not just academic theory.

Please click the "Take This Course" button so you can launch your music career today.

** I guarantee that this course is the most thorough sound design course available ANYWHERE on the market - or your money back (30-day money-back guarantee) **

Closed captions have been added to all lessons in this course.

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Praise for Courses by Jason Allen:

⇢ "It seems like every little detail is being covered in an extremely simple fashion. The learning process becomes relaxed and allows complex concepts to get absorbed easily. My only regret is not taking this course earlier." - M. Shah

⇢ "Great for everyone without any knowledge so far. I bought all three parts... It's the best investment in leveling up my skills so far.." - Z. Palce

⇢ "Excellent explanations! No more or less than what is needed." - A. Tóth

⇢ "VERY COOL. I've waited for years to see a good video course, now I don't have to wait anymore. Thank You!" - Jeffrey Koury

⇢ "I am learning LOTS! And I really like having the worksheets!" - A. Deichsel

⇢ "The basics explained very clearly - loads of really useful tips!" - J. Pook

⇢ "Jason is really quick and great with questions, always a great resource for an online class!" M. Smith

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Students who register for this course will receive ongoing exclusive content and discounts for all future classes in the series.

Who this course is for:

This course is meant for anyone interested in making their own sounds to enhance their productions.
This course does not go into complex terminology about synthesis, so it is ideal for students just starting out (or needing a refresher) in synthesis and sound design.

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction to Sound Design & Synthesis5 lectures • 15min

Fundamentals of Subtractive Synthesis7 lectures • 52min

The Other Elements: LFO, Modulations, and Other Key Elements4 lectures • 19min

Deconstruction, Part 12 lectures • 13min

FM Synthesis4 lectures • 21min

Deconstruction, Part 22 lectures • 12min

Wrap Up!2 lectures • 3min

Bonus Videos: Ableton Live's Analog Instrument6 lectures • 48min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: