The Definitive Tome on Korg, ARP, and Semi-modular Synthesis
In the latest entry to his Patch & Tweak series, Kim Bjørn dives deep into the illustrious history of semi-modular synthesis. Patch & Tweak with Korg is a new volume dedicated to the diverse worlds of Korg and ARP patchable synthesizers, filled with interviews, techniques, archive photos, and plenty more, all spread across 216 detailed, full-color pages made from certified eco-friendly paper. From analog synthesis basics and practice tips to informative guides on extending the sonic possibilities of your semi-modular setup to reach beyond your rig, Bjørn’s multifaceted expertise as a writer, speaker, electronic musician, and sound designer is on full display. Furthermore, legendary Japanese composer and electronic-instrument innovator Masanori ‘Kitarō’ Takahashi provides an illuminating foreword. Synthesists at Sweetwater agree that Patch & Tweak with Korg is a must-have resource for semi-modular synth-thusiasts, whether you’re new to the world of patching, a seasoned synth scholar, or anywhere else along this aural odyssey.
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Living history and the secrets of patching
Like Patch & Tweak with Moog before it, this hardcover tome includes comprehensive histories of individual, patchable synthesizers, including Korg’s MS-20 Mini, ARP 2600 M, and Volca Modular, alongside the SQ-1 and SQ-64 sequencers. That’s just scratching the surface. In addition to even more instrument-specific breakdowns, Patch & Tweak with Korg covers countless dimensions of creative ground, from beginner tips and tricks to pro-grade advice, techniques, and more. No matter your experience level, Korg enthusiasts and patchable-synth performers of any style will come away from this book with an inspiring new lease on synthesis.
Firsthand interviews with artists, engineers, and more
Throughout their illustrious 60-plus-year tenure, Korg’s produced an endless array of sound-shaping and performance devices. Their patchable semi-modular synths have become the stuff of legends, highly coveted and regularly deployed by some of the industry’s biggest names. Kim Bjørn goes deep with the minds that made these instruments integral players in the evolution of the musical landscape throughout the 20th and early-21st centuries, boasting more than 25 detailed interviews with performing artists, studio musicians, sound designers, engineers, and more. From early adopters to new-gen performers, the likes of Pete Townshend, Jean-Michel Jarre, Andrew Huang, Panic Girl, Kabuki, Olga Prudey, On High Mountains, and Loopop are just a handful of the artists lifting the veil behind their creative processes and semi-modular patch magic. Plus, generations of Korg’s innovators drop their crucial insights, including Fumio Mieda, Junichi Ikeuchi, Tatsuya Takahashi, and plenty of the new guard of Korg engineers, in addition to Dina Pearlman, David Friend, and David Mash, rightfully described by Bjørn as, “the keepers of the ARP legacy.”
Inspiring, hands-on advice you can put into practice
As a writer and a performing musician, Kim Bjørn’s work excels at blending abstract and conceptual ideas with crucial history, primary-source interviews, and information dedicated to helping any musician improve their craft. Bjørn understands that everyone’s creative processes and artistic inclinations are different. That might sound obvious, but Patch & Tweak with Korg masterfully threads a needle between education and inspiration through its collage of photos, schematics, interviews, and more, knowing that any element of a single image or quote could ignite a new world of musical opportunity at any given time, not unlike the semi-modular subject matter. In fact, Bjørn makes sure to spend time explicitly detailing how the knowledge contained within the book isn’t limited to semi-modular synthesis and patching, expertly providing a framework for taking these insights beyond the borders of patchable sound, arming you with the information to own your sound, synthesized or otherwise.
Bjooks Patch & Tweak with Korg Features:
- An insider’s history of Korg and ARP semi-modular synthesizers
- Hardcover book with 216 pages details a stunning variety of history, firsthand experiences, techniques, and more
- Full-color pages are printed on high-quality, eco-friendly paper, minimizing environmental impact without compromising visual fidelity in a detailed account and history of instruments
- Authored by Kim Bjørn; foreword by legendary electronic instrumentalist and composer Kitarō
- Tips and tricks for patchable, semi-modular Korg systems, including the MS-20 Mini, ARP 2600 M, Volca Modular, NTS-2 Oscilloscope, SQ-series sequencers, and more
- Dedicated discourse for understanding the semi-modular environment as a framework to extend beyond patchable instruments to enrich your composition and performance potential
- 25+ in-depth interviews with legendary Moog and ARP players, including performing artists, session musicians, industry vets, sound designers, engineers, and more