In this powerful short reflection, David Mash — renowned educator, synthesist, and former Senior Vice President for Innovation, Strategy, and Technology at Berklee College of Music — shares a profound insight into the soul of electronic instruments.
Why do some synthesizers and guitars feel alive?
Dr. Mash explains that it's not just about modeling the oscillator or the filter—it's about how these components interact, and how they respond to the human touch. Without capturing that interplay, the essence of the instrument is lost. It’s in that nuance where the heart and soul of music resides.
Part of the Sound Synthesis Short Stories series by the Sound Synthesis Club, this video celebrates the emotional and tactile dimensions of sound design and performance.

Join us for the first chapter of Sound Synthesis Stories, an exclusive interview series by the Sound Synthesis Club. In this episode, we sit down with Eduardo Tarilonte, a world-class sound designer renowned for his groundbreaking work in sample libraries, with over 20 collections that have shaped modern music production.

Join us for the second chapter of Sound Synthesis Stories, an exclusive interview series by the Sound Synthesis Club. In this episode, we sit down with Kurt Ader, a legendary sound designer whose work has defined the sonic landscape of modern synthesizers. With decades of experience crafting iconic sounds for major hardware and software synths, Kurt shares his journey, techniques, and creative philosophy.

In this heartfelt episode of Moments That Shaped Us, we sit down with Jim Gilmour, renowned keyboardist and composer of the legendary band SAGA, to reflect on the early days of synthesis—and the magic of falling in love with a single, extraordinary instrument

We open the series with a delightful story from Scott Peer, who shares the unforgettable—and hilarious—memory of his very first conversation with Dave Smith, founder of Sequential, during a job interview that didn’t quite go as expected.

Join us for an incredible masterclass into the world of FM synthesis with two legends in the field! Stephan Schmitt, the visionary founder of Nonlinear Labs and Native Instruments, and the genius behind REAKTOR, teams up with Manny Fernandez, renowned for his groundbreaking FM programming on Yamaha’s iconic synthesizers including the DX7II, SY77, SY99, FS1R, DX200, RefaceDx, Montage, and his insightful tutorials on YamahaSynth.com.

It is with immense pride that the Sound Synthesis Club facilitated this remarkable video interview by Anthony Marinelli with the legendary John Chowning. We are beyond thrilled to have connected two extraordinary luminaries of contemporary music, creating an invaluable testament to their contributions and influence in the field.