book recomendations

[Sean Costello]

Rocket Queen wrote:
> 
> I am sure you guys are sick of this question by now, but my filing/data
> managment skills are poor, so any messages I saw earlier are lost. This is
> my first time asking this question though, :) I also went looking for some
> textbook from Farnell (not sure on that). I could not find it on ant of
> the sites I was directed too. Tell me if I'm stupid and they are just
> hidden somewhere.

> Electronic Music Circuits~Barry Klien
> http://www.amazon.com (out of print)

A reprint is available directly from Barry Klein
(Barry.L.Klein at wdc.com). Very nice book.

> Build a Better Music Synthesizer~Thomas Henry
> http://www.amazon.com (out of print)

Many of these circuits are also available in "Electronic Music Circuits:
The Reprints," available direct from Tom Henry at
http://prairie.lakes.com/~map. Get it now, though, as it probably won't
be reprinted.  Mostly CEM and SSM stuff.
 
Another EXCELLENT book is "Musical Applications of Microprocessors" by
Hal Chamberlin. Despite its name, it covers analog synth circuits in a
fair amount of detail.  Also great coverage of digital synthesis
techniques.  Out of print, but shows up a fair amount.  I saw a copy at
Powell's Technical Bookstore in Portland, OR last weekend, and was
tempted to buy it, even though I have a copy (it's such a great find). 
Be sure to get the 2nd edition.  According to the PAiA home page, Hal
Chamberlin sells photocopy versions of this book for $30, and can be
contacted at halc at ycrdi.com.

I'd also recommend getting the Preferred Circuits Collection from
Electronotes.  Bernie Hutchins is cranky and seems to dislike anyone who
would want to buy this from him or use his old circuits in general, but
Electronotes is chock full of great circuits, and the PCC has the best.
Go to Tom Henry's page, and follow the links.  Bernie DOES deliver his
orders, although it may take a while.

Another great book is "Computer Music," by Charles Dodge and Thomas
Jerse. Maybe not relevant to this list, but I've been getting the
coolest sounds out of Csound...let's just say that a reversed bell
sound, where each partial is ring modulated by an independent source of
low frequency noise, is a beautiful thing to hear (tonight, I made a few
changes, so that the base source is a timpani).  Dodge & Jerse has been
invaluable - probably the best textbook for sitting down and learning
computer music techniques.

Sean Costello