Concept glossary
15 atomic concepts · grouped by introducing track
Subtractive synthesis is a small number of ideas applied at different points in the signal chain. The glossary defines each one in plain language, points at the lesson that introduces it, and lists every later lesson that reuses it. Useful when a knob isn't behaving the way you expect and you want the explanation without backtracking through a lesson.
▸Introduced in the Bass track
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First taught in BS1 · Pick a wave
Oscillator waveforms
Think of waveforms as raw lumber — different grain, different density, before any cuts are made.
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First taught in BS2 · Shape the note
Amplitude ADSR
A volume fader being moved by a robot every time you play a note — and you are programming the robot.
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First taught in BS3 · Open the filter
Low-pass cutoff + resonance
A dimmer switch for treble, with a side knob that lets the dimmer ring like a struck wine glass.
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First taught in BS4 · Dirt
Saturation / gain staging
Pushing a vintage amplifier past the point where the speaker behaves politely.
▸Introduced in the Pluck track
▸Introduced in the Pad track
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First taught in PD1 · Stack & detune
Multi-osc, detune, unison
A choir of one person versus a choir of twenty — same melody, very different sound.
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First taught in PD2 · Breathe
Slow attack/release (AMP_ENV use)
The difference between a hammer hitting a nail and a sunrise.
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First taught in PD3 · Motion
Low-frequency oscillator
A hand slowly turning a knob back and forth, forever, while you keep playing.
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First taught in PD3 · Motion
Modulation source → destination
Patch cables on the back of an old synth — pick a source jack and a destination jack, and decide how much.
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First taught in PD4 · Space
Reverb (size/mix)
Playing the same note in a phone booth, a living room, and a cathedral.
▸Introduced in the Lead track
▸Introduced in the Arp track
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First taught in AR1 · Make it move
Arpeggiator (dir, hold, octave)
A music box that plays whichever notes you hold down for it.
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First taught in AR2 · Lock to time
Rate / swing (also in DELAY)
Setting a metronome to clicks-per-bar instead of clicks-per-second.
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First taught in AR3 · Combine
Load/combine a saved patch
A recipe versus a finished cake. The recipe travels; what each kitchen produces is its own thing.