Ultimate Guide to Ultimate Guides

After 20 years of writing tutorials and masterclasses for Electronic Musician, Keyboard, and Music Radar, I’ve posted a lot of instructional content since I redid this site in 2017. To make the blog easier to navigate for new visitors, I’ve collected all of my Music Radar and Electronic Musician guides into a single directory post.

Below are direct links to each of the masterclasses on my blog, some of which include downloadable presets and examples. Have at it!

• Master Class: Ableton Operator

• Master Class: Roland TR-8S

• Master Class: Vocoders

• Master Class: The Minimoog Paradigm

• Master Class: Korg/ARP Odyssey

• Master Class: Analog Drum Design

• Master Class: Korg Gadget

• Master Class: DSI OB-6

• Master Class: Arturia MiniBrute 2

• Master Class: Korg Prologue

• Master Class: Novation Peak

Master Class: Arturia MiniBrute 2

In this Music Radar masterclass, we’ll look at some interesting sounds you can create using the MiniBrute 2’s patchbay. But first, we’ll look at ways to overcome a few of the instrument’s idiosyncrasies.

For example, the MiniBrute 2 lacks a dedicated mult/splitter, making it impossible to route certain modulation sources to multiple destinations—a requirement that is a staple of many common sounds—without additional gear. A simple fix is to use a stackable 3.5mm cable, such as the Tiptop Audio Stackcable or the Modular Addict Stacking Eurorack Patch Cable.

Despite lacking a few features from the first Mini-Brute (such as the sub-oscillator), the MiniBrute 2 has a  more advanced set of synthesis tools. Recreating familiar patches from the original model, however, requires an altered approach. This tutorial covers the essentials for configuring both the sounds of the original and a few iconic analog standards.

Link: https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/how-to-master-the-arturia-minibrute-2

Master Class: Operator

One of my biggest talks at the 2017 Ableton Loop conference was an in-depth studio session on the details of FM synthesis. Having designed presets for Operator since before it was released in 2004, I can honestly say that I have an intimate relationship with its capabilities.

This masterclass for Music Radar revisits some of the topics from my Loop session - and goes deep into the possibilities of this powerful FM and additive synth. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.musicradar.com/how-to/the-definitive-guide-on-how-to-use-operator-in-ableton-live