so that the instrument is really fun to play and it really gives good feedback when a musician is using the instrument.” PIONEERING EDUCATION Ozolins’ experiences in education gave him insight into the connections between music, science and electronics, which ultimately inspired his innovative work with modular synthesis. As someone who understands the traditional education system, Ozolins saw how music education is often isolated from science and technology, despite its deep in- terconnections. “I see how the education system is set up; and when it comes to music education, science education and electronics education, it’s all con- nected,” Ozolins said. “I realized that music is the thing which connects both worlds, which is basically simultaneously science and art.” At the forefront of this effort is the Erica Synths Bullfrog, a desktop synthesizer available in multiple formats. Designed to make modular synthesis approachable, the Bullfrog comes in a compact version for individual learning as well as a larger, “giant” model for classroom teaching. This adaptability ensures that stu- dents of all ages and levels can engage with the instrument, whether in a formal music education setting or through personal explora- tion. The Bullfrog’s layout simplifies complex synthesis concepts, making it an ideal starting point for those curious about electronic music but unsure where to begin. In addition to the Bullfrog, Erica Synths has pioneered a variety of DIY kits that cater to hands-on learning, encouraging students to build their own synthesizers from the ground up. “We developed a synthesizer for kids that start having science lessons so they understand principles of how sound is produced, and then they have a Bullfrog synthesizer that offers them all possibilities to explore this sound and come up with their own sound design,” Ozolins explained. “This is a fully featured subtractive synthesizer. We have color-coded knobs in order to better explain principles and to address the short attention span of contem- porary kids. Blue knobs change pitch, green knobs change timber and red knobs change volume. It’s not semi modular, so when you just turn it on, it doesn’t make any sound. That’s a conscious decision, because we wanted kids to comprehend the synthesizer step by step, in order to really understand how some of this design works in modular synthesizers or subtractive synthesizers.” The Bullfrog also comes with an expansive user manual, which is a workbook for one semester for music teachers so they can run
lessons in music technology. In addition to the Bullfrog’s adaptable and accessible design, Erica Synths is planning on releasing more instruments in this line. “We will have Bullfrog drums by the end of the year or early next year,” Ozolins said. “We’re developing Bullfrog effects, like sound effects, and desktop instruments, as well. The Bullfrog ecosystem will cover all aspects of sound design in education. By bridging the gap between complex elec- tronic systems and the simplicity of learning, Erica Synths are creating a space where creativ-
ity and technical understanding can flourish together, and according to Ozolins, there are several universities who use Bullfrogs. “We’re now developing lesson-specific les- son plans for teachers so they can include these lessons in the curriculum,” Ozolins said. “I really see this spark in kids’ eyes when they start playing synthesizers and when they start getting their own personal- ized sounds out of synthesizer, and that’s very gratifying. Modular synths have infinite possibilities of exploration in song design and in music-making.” MI
DECEMBER 2024 I MUSIC INC. I 15
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