Introduction to Synthesis at The Well

Have you ever wanted to learn about synthesizers but felt intimidated? Or wished you could make your own electronic music but don’t know where to start?

The Well and Arts 2 People are hosting a three week course that will teach you the basics of synthesis with plenty of opportunities for hands-on practice.We will cover topics including:

Overview of different types of synthesizers, including hardware, software, and modular instrumentsOscillators, samplers, and wavetables

Harmonic series, waveforms, and the physics of sound

Filters

Envelopes

Modulation Effects

Sequencers and arpeggiators

Integrating synths into DAW’s (Digital Audio Workstations)

The cost for all three classes is $30. You can also drop in for a single class for $15, although each session will build on the material from the previous sessions, so we encourage you to come for all three. No previous experience is required, and all students will get to spend time on a variety of hardware and software synthesizers. 

About the Instructor

James Genaro has more than 25 years of experience as a synthesist and music producer. He holds a music degree from UNCA and worked at Moog Music for over ten years, the last half of it giving tours, demos and workshops at the former factory in downtown Asheville. 

Under the name Logos, he has produced seven albums of original music that blends electronic dance music with world music, classical, and rock influences. And he writes music and performs with the multi-disciplinary performance art ensemble Surreal Sirkus, which he cofounded back in the late 1990s. 

James currently is the co-owner, with his wife Karen, of The Well, an event space and store in West Asheville that features a synthesizer lab where anyone can come and explore electronic musical instruments.