THE SYNTHEPLIER

By Conrad and Sasha

The Problem
Music today is changing.
Compared to instruments, the majority of music
today is produced online. Since the introduction of
synthesizers as a concept, they have evolved and
become more intricate and confusing at an
exponential rate.
The Problem
Schools introduce students to instruments to give
them basic knowledge on how to make notes and play a
song. But when are students introduced to synths?
Professionals in the industry have been working with
synthesizers for years, but when most students today
are put in front of a synth, they won’t even know
where to start. The Syntheplier helps solve this.
The Problem
If a musically inclined student who can’t sing wants
to get noticed in today’s society, chances are they
are going to need to learn some synthesis.
San Marin does not offer any digital music
production classes. To introduce one would be
extremely hard. To first get funding enough to have
capable computers, then find a willing teacher, then
find students that aren’t already overwhelmed with
their required classes seems like a pretty far
fetched idea.
So what if one night you just feel inspired and
want to make a quick beat? Well, now you can.
Our Solution
The goal of this project is to give students an
intro to the basics of synthesizing. We want to
create a manual that can teach anybody the bones of
synthesizing and just slappin a beat together. It
will be simple and easy to read, making sure even
people with zero experience can understand how to
create a song and do it themselves, fast. Skills
gained from the syntheplier can be considered seeds,
planted into the brains of budding musicians; It
gives them skills of how to start, and how to keep
going.
Our Solution
The syntheplier’s goal is to help you cross the line
from trying to make your beat sound like a beat, and
trying to make your beat sound good
Alternate Ideas
1. Create a new online synthesizer
2. Build a moog board-style synthesizer
3. Create a simple online synth/ midi controller program
with drum and instrument samples

VS
VS
Our Design, Main Concepts

For our project we plan to make a manual that will help get
music producers on their feet and running.
● Hands on ebook that can be downloaded and accessed from
your computer
● Will teach basics of synthesizing for all synths.
● Hands on intro to Fl Studio, focussing on plugin “3x
Osc” and intro to midi specific to program.
● No experience necessary, we’ll stay away from big words
and supply complete step by step instructions with
screenshots from Fl Studio.
Why do we Need a Syntheplier?
Getting yourself to start making music is a big
commitment. Buying a program is costly, so most people try
the demo to see if they like it. After downloading, they
open it and are presented with this:
Why do we Need a Syntheplier?
For a lot of people, this is enough to make them accept
defeat and delete the program. With the syntheplier, we
encourage you to take a deep breath, open her up in a new
tab, and start reading.
 Lab Report
We wanted to understand how intuitive Fl Studio was to
people who haven’t seen it before. To do this, we
conducted an experiment where we presented a group of
volunteers with a blank Fl Studio project and asked them a
series of simple questions for them to try to figure out.
The questions are shown below.
7. Can you add a second oscillator?
8. Can you show me the ASDR window?
1. Can you produce a sound? (pressing piano key)
9. Can you make the sine wobble in any way?
2. Can you play different notes? (play different
(midi questions)
notes)
10. Can you open the piano roll?
3. Can you play a chord? (multiple notes at
11. Can you make a quick note progression?
once)
12. Can you make a beat using the sample
4. Can you adjust the volume?
drums?
5. Can you point to a sine wave on the screen?
13. Can you add a drum sample of your choice
6. Can you select a different waveform?
to the step sequencer?
Lab Report
Results: (check = task completed, X = task failed)

Average success rate: 6.2

Questions with Highest Success Rate: 2, 3, 6, 11
Questions with Lowest Success Rate: 9,7,8
Areas of Focus: Subtractive and FM synthesis, Fl Vocab
Weaknesses
● Books are becoming less common than videos for online
tutorials.
● Getting people to know about the synthesizer
● Fl Studio focussed
Strengths
● New approach to music production tutorial
● Written by self taught students who experienced the
struggles of understanding software.
● Extremely easy to access once online
Contents
-Opening Fl Studio
-Opening 3x Osc

A. Intro C. Making a beat

C1. Midi
A1. What is an oscillator
C2. Constructing a beat
A2. What is a sine
C3. How to make your beats not sound exactly
A3. Common waveforms the same as everyone else's
B. Synthesis D. Making a lead
B1.Envelope settings D1. Why do good leads sound good?
-B1a. ASDR D2. Choosing a scale
-B1b. Fm synthesis intro D3. Constructing a lead
B2. Additive synthesis E. Making your beat sound right
B3. Subtractive synthesis E1. What is mixing?
E2. Quick mixing for dummies
Summary

The Syntheplier is a product

that attempts to introduce
the intro of music
production to complete
beginners. This ebook is
easy to read and understand
for anyone with little or no
experience. It is perfect
for schools or any beginner
trying to create their own
song.
Next Steps
1. Release first draft of syntheplier
2. Open FAQ for users to discuss confusing
aspects
3. Revise syntheplier accordingly
4. Get published/recognized
5. Sell online for schools and students
Thank You