Copperhead Synthesizer for iOS - MasterClass #1

This is the first in a series of tutorials on Copperhead Synthesizer. It is a beginners guide to using the app, and as such is intended to teach the basics of audio synthesis. In this video we cover the VCO, VCF and ADSR modules of the app, as well as how to save presets.

[@gtrgeorge348]

I was an ARP Odyssey owner back in 1978, and I pretty much know all of this already; for that reason I can state that this is a brilliant and quite comprehensive guide to synthesizing… it’s also a very good guide to all of Copperhead’s capabilities. Getting it shortly; this is gonna be a great instrument…

[@iainspence9680]

A masterclass in synthesis in general not just the EXCELLENT Copperhead - Thank You. 👍😎

[@PaultheMusicMan]

Thanks Iain, thanks for watching and commenting.

[@3stig]

Thank you very much Paul for this nice Masterclass 👍🏼😎

[@PaultheMusicMan]

I'm sure this is a little too basic for the almighty 3stig, but thanks for watching... another more interesting one coming tomorrow mate!

[@domdib55]

A Masterclass indeed! Very clear and helpful. I look forward to applying the lessons soon 🙂

[@djba]

Hi Paul … thanks for this class on Copperhead. I purchased it when it became available and I am looking forward to learning more about it.

[@PaultheMusicMan]

Thanks Bill, I hope these videos will help.

[@ulrichkliegis4138]

Not sure what is more excellent, Copperhead itself or your teaching - but I just take them as an integrated unity. The only knob / selector / function I miss is the integration of FM. Maybe in one of your hopefully numerous future concretions of ideas, experience and your ability to cast a complete instrument from these. You've got all my respect.

[@PaultheMusicMan]

I think I mentioned on the first MasterClass video that this was based on early synths from the late 70's / early 80's which didn't have FM, this came much later in the late 80's I believe. In kepping with analog synths I wanted to keep it authentic, so the only FM feature I implemented was cross modulation. I may yet add an FM engine to this so we can select Analog/FM per oscillator. I'm looking into it.

[@ulrichkliegis4138]

@@PaultheMusicMan Thanks for your reply. Yes, the DX7 came out 1983, i bought mine in 1985 or so. Granted... My first attempt to build my own MiniMoog was around 1972, had got hold of the circuit drawings then, but there was more in it than documented in the docs... So, I got familiar with the basic principles of synthesizer technology pretty early, seen from today...

[@PaultheMusicMan]

@@ulrichkliegis4138 Was that by any chance from Maplin? I remember the Maplin kit and I just wasn't confident enough to take the plunge, and my soldering skills are no better today!! lol

[@ulrichkliegis4138]

​@@PaultheMusicMan Not sure where my first reply to this got stuck, maybe it emerges somewhere. Short version again - I got the original Moog drawings from a reliable source. I also turned to the ETI (Electronics Today International) synthesizer project, very interesting approach, they were the first who designed a VCF by PWM-switching the capacitor in the filter, getting an average C value that defined the frequency. IIRC, they employed something similar in their VCOs.
Maplin absorbed that project later on, it was first driven by ETI's publishers. I heard a Maplin system at a friend who had put it together. Poor ADSR performance since they miscalculated the RC combinations, but then...

[@PaultheMusicMan]

@@ulrichkliegis4138 Oh wow, I have much admiration for those able to do this. I originally studied electronics prior to going down the programming route in my teens. It's so easy for life to take a turn like that.

[@PeterJoslynHarris]

You are a real genius in simply and clearly communicating complex ideas!
Would love to see what you and John Lehmkuhl would do together! Are you a fan of Unify?

[@PaultheMusicMan]

Thanks, to be honest, I had never heard of unify until now.