Welcome all Women, Femmes, and Non-Binary folks! This introductory workshop teaches the fundamentals of synthesis. In the process we'll primarily explore subtractive synthesis techniques using modular synthesizers as our instrument.

If you are new to synths, don't worry! Neither a traditional background in music nor a familiarity with electronic instruments are necessary to attend - in fact, the course is explicitly designed for total beginners. And if you have played with keyboard or tabletop synths, modular can sound intimidating at first, but there's a reason we use modular gear as our primary means of instruction; we believe patching on modular hardware serves as the absolute best teaching tool for quickly learning the general principles of synthesis, even for those who have never touched a synth! Starting with modular and emphasizing fundamentals builds a solid foundation of electronic music knowledge which you can immediately begin to apply to any type of synthesizer, sampler, or drum machine, regardless of whether they're a DAW's software waveforms digitally cast into abstracted windows on your PC desktop machine, or metal boxes of blinking LEDs, all-analog and greasy-knobbed hardware machines atop your desk at arm's reach in the physical world. The concepts, terminology, and techniques are basically the same across all means of making electronic music, which is a big part of what makes learning gear at our library so rewarding!

This 3 hour workshop will be split into two sections. During the first half our instructors will give a talk providing a quick conceptual overview. Synthesis terminology will be introduced and defined, basic synth modules like VCOs, VCFs, and VCAs will described, and techniques showing how their individual functions interact together to form a complete patch will be discussed. During the second half we will break out into small groups for hands-on instruction. There are many semi-modular and modular synthesizers set up in the room and ready for you to play on headphones. You'll be able to explore the concepts brought up earlier in the workshop and turn theory into practice. We'll provide guided instruction which helps you get started making your own synth sounds.

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Sunday, March 15th 2026
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

1256 Lloyd Center
2nd Floor, near Dicepool
All ages (10+ recommended)
$20 general admission
$10-19 sliding scale
Tickets are required to attend. No one is turned away for lack of funds, so email info@synthlibraryportland.com for lower/no-cost tickets.

We are looking to build a welcoming environment for folks of all kinds - If you do not self-identify as Woman, Femme, or NB please come to one of our other Intro to Modular classes.

We alternate our Intro to Synthesis workshop each month between an open-to-Women/femme/NB version and an open-to-all version. Both workshops cover the same basic material but every workshop is somewhat different based on who is instructing that day.