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Play with Sound Book Cover

Play with Sound

Manual for Electronic Musicians and Other Sound Explorers offers a thorough introduction to music technology by centering on curiosity and creativity in the exploration of the fundamentals of sound.

This book covers topics regarding audio software, acoustical principles, electroacoustic systems, audio processing, sound synthesis, and communication protocols.

Here you will find additional FREE digital resources. You can find the book in every store, online and offline.

Book Preview
Foreword

Foreword p. 4

This section outlines representative ways electronic musicians use technologies to record, process, and generate music. We discuss basic concepts such as sound synthesis and sound processing, both in real-time and non-real time.

SLIDE
Music + Computer, Introduction
SLIDE
Music Analysis

Acoustics & Psychoacoustics p. 18

In these chapters, we give an overview of the physics of sound with all its characteristics. We clarify the concepts of Frequency, Amplitude, and Phase of a wave and then discuss timbre.

SLIDE
Sound 1 – Wave and Period
SLIDE
Sound 2 – Frequency
SLIDE
Sound 3 – Amplitude
SLIDE
Sound 4 – Phase
SLIDE
Sound 5 – Timbre
ZIP
Sounds Examples
▶ Interactive Graphics 8
Sound Wave
Sound Wave
Wavelength
Wavelength
Pitch
Pitch
Phase
Phase
Beats
Beats
Spectrum
Spectrum
Fletcher-Munson
Fletcher-Munson
ADSR
ADSR
EAR TRAINING

Electroacoustic Systems p. 45

This section provides an overview of electroacoustic systems, including signal flow and all associated devices such as microphones, mixers, pickups, speakers, and cables.

SLIDE
Electroacoustic Systems – Analog
SLIDE
Microphones and Pickup
SLIDE
Electroacoustic Systems – Digital
SLIDE
Sampling and Quantization
▶ Interactive Graphics 4
Polar Pattern
Polar Pattern
Sampling
Sampling
Quantization
Quantization
MP3
MP3
Protocols

Communication Protocols p. 92

We address the main communication protocols that drive electronic instruments or effects: MIDI and OSC.

SLIDE
MIDI and OSC

Sound Processing p. 103

In this section, we discuss sound processing algorithms and techniques: filters, delay, dynamic processors, distortion, reverb, and spatialization.

SLIDE
Filters and EQ
SLIDE
Delay
SLIDE
Dynamic Processors
SLIDE
Distortion
SLIDE
Reverb
SLIDE
Spatialization
▶ Interactive Graphics 6
Filters
Filters
Envelope Follower
Envelope Follower
Gate
Gate
Delay
Delay
Distortion
Distortion
Waveshaping
Waveshaping
EAR TRAINING

Sound Synthesis p. 163

We illustrate techniques and algorithms of various sound synthesis methods: additive, subtractive, modulation, phase distortion, waveshaping, wavetable, physical modeling, granular, and sample synthesis.

SLIDE
Sound Synthesis
▶ Interactive Graphics 9
ADSR
ADSR
LFO
LFO
Subtractive Synthesis
Subtractive Synthesis
RM-AM
RM-AM
FM
FM
Waveshaping
Waveshaping
Phase Distortion
Phase Distortion
Karplus-Strong
Karplus-Strong
Theremin
Theremin
EAR TRAINING

Creative Etudes

The book contains 79 creative exercises designed to help you explore electronic music concepts through hands-on practice. Each exercise is connected to specific topics covered in the chapters and encourages experimentation and creativity.

Use the random exercise generator to discover new challenges, filter by topic, and get inspired with creative themes!

Try Exercises
SURPRISE ME!
synthesis recording MIDI filter

✦ BONUS CONTENT ✦

Additional teaching materials by the author, complementing the book

Composition

Composition / Production

Several electroacoustic composition techniques are described in this section. (Note: This material is in Italian only)

SLIDE
Composizione Elettroacustica
SLIDE
Sequenza Mixata e Mashup
SLIDE
Composizione Algoritmica
SLIDE
Paesaggio Sonoro
Video

Video and Multimedia

In this section we look at the main approaches of how sound and video are merged together in multimedia design. (Note: Italian only)

SLIDE
Audiovision / Audiovisione

Software

Audacity

Record and edit audio. FREE and open source. Tutorial

REAPER

DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). FREE to evaluate. Tutorial Plugin

Pure Data

Visual programming language. FREE and open source. Tutorial

Max

Visual object programming by Cycling 74.

Spear

Analysis/resynthesis audio processor. FREE. Tutorial

Musescore

Music notation software. FREE.

PLUGIN

Reaper plugins

EFFECTS

  • Bit Crushing
  • Resampler Distortion
  • Ping Pong delay

INSTRUMENTS

  • Drums
  • Additive synth
  • Subtractive synth
  • FM synth
  • Granular synth
DOWNLOAD REAPER PLUGINS

*The authors have no relationship with the companies that own these programs.

Bibliography

Pierre Schaeffer – Treatise on Musical Objects (1966) – University of California Press, 2017
R. Murray Schäfer – The Soundscape: Our Sonic Environment – Inner Traditions, 1993
Curtis Roads – The Computer Music Tutorial – MIT Press, 1995
Alex Ross – The Rest Is Noise – Picador, 2008
Andrea Cremaschi, Francesco Giomi – Rumore bianco – Zanichelli, 2008
Iannis Xenakis – Music and Architecture – Pendragon Press, 2008
Enrico Cosimi – Manuale di musica elettronica – Tecniche Nuove, 2011
Leonello Tarabella – Musica Informatica – Maggioli, 2014
Dennis DeSantis – Making Music – Ableton AG, 2015
Alessandro Cipriani, Maurizio Giri – Electronic Music and Sound Design Vol.1 & 2 – ConTempoNet, 2019-2020
Mark Fell – Structure and Synthesis – Urbanomic, 2021
Tommaso Rosati – Suono Elettronico – Volontè&Co. 2023

Interactive Graphics

FAQ

Who is this book for?

Play with Sound is designed for students of electronic music and music technology, producers and musicians who want to deepen their theoretical understanding, and teachers looking for ready-to-use classroom materials.

The free companion on this site includes interactive graphics and slide decks structured for lessons. It's also a great starting point for anyone curious about how electronic sound works — no prior knowledge required.

What topics does the book cover?

The book covers: acoustics and psychoacoustics, the electroacoustic chain (microphones, speakers, ADC/DAC), sampling and quantization, audio compression, sound processing (filters, delay, distortion, gate), sound synthesis (subtractive, additive, FM, AM/RM, waveshaping, Karplus-Strong), MIDI and OSC.

Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes. The book starts from the basics of acoustics and builds concepts step by step. The interactive graphics help anyone new to electronic music visualize abstract ideas like pitch, timbre, or phase from the very first chapter.

At the same time, chapters on FM synthesis, waveshaping, and Karplus-Strong offer depth for more experienced readers.

What are the interactive graphics?

Imagine hearing a filter sweep while you drag the cutoff, or watching the frequency spectrum shift in real time as you add harmonics. The interactive graphics are exactly that: audiovisual tools that make sound synthesis and music technology tangible.

Move a parameter, hear the result instantly. Processes like LFO, ADSR, delay, distortion, and modulation stop being abstract theory and become direct experience.

For students, it's the difference between understanding and really getting it. For teachers, a way to make a lesson stick.

Why (and when) use the interactive graphics?

Ever tried explaining what a filter does and found that words just weren't cutting it?

Many electronic music concepts are dynamic — they happen over time, they're meant to be heard, and no static diagram really captures them. The interactive graphics connect sight, sound, and interaction — cutting through cognitive overload and making every concept click faster.

Use them whenever a sound concept is easier to grasp if you can hear and shape it live: sound synthesis, modulation, audio effects, sound design, music technology.

Do I need an account or app?

No. The book's free companion content — interactive graphics and slide decks for lessons — runs directly in your browser, on desktop, tablet, and smartphone, with nothing to install and no account needed.

Where can I find the book?

Play with Sound is available at all major bookshops and online retailers. Here are the details for the print edition:

Title: Play with Sound — Manual for Electronic Musicians and Other Sound Explorers
Authors: Tommaso Rosati, Timothy Hsu
Publisher: Routledge – Focal Press
ISBN: 9781032796826
208 pages, 283 color illustrations
Is there a digital version of the book?

Yes! Here are the details for the e-book edition:

Title: Play with Sound — Manual for Electronic Musicians and Other Sound Explorers
Authors: Tommaso Rosati, Timothy Hsu
Publisher: Routledge – Focal Press
ISBN: 9781003493372
208 pages, 283 color illustrations
TommasoRosati