Exploring the art and science of creating sound from scratch
The Sound Synthesis track at Sonic Days 2025 dives into the craft of shaping sound — from the raw waveforms that form the backbone of electronic music to the creative processes that turn synthesis into artistic expression. This track is designed for those who can’t keep their fingers off the synthesizer, inviting participants to explore synthesis in its many forms: as a compositional tool, a technological challenge, and a source of inspiration.
Across two days at Sonic College in Kolding, November 19–20, 2025, internationally recognized artists, producers, and researchers will share their knowledge and creative practices.
Tobias Leo, a double platinum-selling producer, opens the track with FM Synthesis with Tobias Leo. Guiding attendees from the simplest sine wave to a complete sound, he demonstrates how FM synthesis can shape music at its emotional core. Rooted in his lifelong fascination with the Yamaha DX7, his session highlights the expressive potential of synthesis and his ongoing search for the “special sound” that sparks creativity in others.
Next, Jens B. Christiansen (Rumpistol) presents Synths and Creativity, offering insights from more than twenty-five years in sound design and production. His talk examines how electronic and acoustic sound worlds can merge, revealing the compositional and technical considerations behind balancing innovation and tradition.
In Considering Sonic Ingredients: The Wavetable Cookbook, Cristián Vogel explores wavetables not just as oscillators but as universal building blocks in electronic music. Through live demonstrations, he shows how a single waveform can serve as sound source, rhythm generator, and distortion shaper — a holistic approach that invites participants to think like sonic chefs.
With Making Music with Your Own Sounds, Bjørn Svin reflects on developing aesthetic coherence between sound and composition. Combining a short live performance with a presentation of his live setup, he shares methods for building a personal sound language that connects the technical and the musical.
Finally, Nuno Fonseca, founder and CEO of Sound Particles, presents Synthesis in Space: Rethinking the Synth for Immersive Audio. Drawing on his background in computer audio and cinematic sound, he explores how synthesis can evolve in three-dimensional and spatial environments.
Together, these sessions form a journey through the many shapes of synthesis — from code to concert hall — offering both inspiration and practical insight for anyone dedicated to the art of sound creation.