Recommended Books

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Our favourite books on modular synthesis, analog electronics and microcontroller programming.

Each book has a level: Beginner Intermediate Deep dive

Modular synthesis

Patch & Tweak – Kim Bjørn & Chris MeyerBeginner

The go-to book on modular synthesis, with a foreword by Suzanne Ciani. It covers every type of module, patching techniques and system design, plus interviews with artists and module makers. Great for beginners and experienced users alike.

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Modular Moon – Erica SynthsBeginner

A beginner's book on modular synthesis published by Erica Synths.

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Push Turn Move – Kim BjørnBeginner

A beautiful book about interface design in electronic instruments – inspiring if you design your own modules.

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Analog circuit design

The Art and Science of Analog Circuit Design – Jim Williams (ed.)Deep dive

A collection of essays by leading analog engineers on how they think about and solve circuit problems.

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Foundations of Oscillator Circuit Design – Guillermo GonzalezDeep dive

An in-depth technical book on how oscillators work and how to design them.

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Analog Active Filters 1 – W. FennelDeep dive

Theory and practical design of active filters – the basis of every VCF.

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Active-Filter Cookbook – Don LancasterIntermediate

A classic, practical guide to designing active filters with op-amps.

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The Art of Electronics – Paul Horowitz & Winfield HillDeep dive

The classic reference for practical electronics. Not light reading, but it answers almost any question.

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Synth DIY

Make: Analog Synthesizers – Ray WilsonBeginner

A hands-on introduction to building your own analog synth circuits, from the creator of Music From Outer Space.

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Electronic Music Circuits – Barry KleinIntermediate

A classic collection of synthesizer circuits with explanations of how they work.

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Make: Electronics – Charles PlattBeginner

Learn electronics by doing – a friendly starting point if you're completely new.

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Electronics basics

Practical Electronics for Inventors – Paul Scherz & Simon MonkBeginner

A practical reference that explains every common component with plenty of drawings and little maths. A good next step after Make: Electronics.

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Getting Started in Electronics – Forrest M. Mims IIIBeginner

A classic, hand-drawn introduction to how circuits work, from basic electricity to transistors and ICs. Short, cheap and friendly.

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Learning the Art of Electronics – Thomas C. Hayes & Paul HorowitzIntermediate

The hands-on lab course that goes with The Art of Electronics: build and measure real circuits, chapter by chapter.

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Microcontrollers & digital

Programming with STM32: Getting Started with the Nucleo Board and C/C++ – Donald NorrisIntermediate

A step-by-step introduction to programming STM32 microcontrollers – the chips inside many digital Eurorack modules. Pair it with our ST-Link V2 programmer.

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Musical Applications of Microprocessors – Hal ChamberlinDeep dive

A classic on digital synthesis and how computers make sound.

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Free online resources

  • Synth Secrets – Gordon Reid's famous 63-part Sound On Sound series on how synthesis really works. Intermediate
  • Lessons in Electric Circuits – a complete, free electronics textbook from DC basics to semiconductors. Beginner
  • Synth DIY Wiki – a community wiki with circuits, parts, suppliers and links to DIY projects. Intermediate
  • Music From Outer Space – Ray Wilson's site, with the projects and articles behind Make: Analog Synthesizers. Beginner
  • ElectroSmash – detailed circuit analyses of classic effects, explained stage by stage. Deep dive

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