Hey all... I would like to start playing around with some of cakewalks synthesizers.  Problem is, I really don't know a thing about them, how they work, how they do what they do.  Does anyone have a link to some good reading material that would help me get a good understanding?  I've done a few internet searches but didn't really come up with anything concrete. 
 
Thanks
Rick

Simon Cann has a free book http://noisesculpture.com/how-to-make-a-noise-a-comprehensive-guide-to-synthesizer-programming and a (not free) Cakewalk specific one http://noisesculpture.com/cakewalk-synthesizers

Hey awesome thanks scook!!!!

 
Synth Secrets a long series of articles published in the Sound on Sound magazine :
 
    http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/allsynthsecrets.htm
 
How to Make a Noise: a Comprehensive Guide to Synthesizer Programming
A free e-book which comes with sample programs by Simon Cann :
 
    http://noisesculpture.com/how-to-make-a-noise-a-comprehensive-guide-to-synthesizer-programming
 
Digital Sound Factory Z3TA2 Sound Design a video on using z3ta+2 :
 
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovre1jS-I0A
 

Jih

+1000 for synth secrets. If you're prepared to put the work in, this is an excellent introduction to synthesis. It gets pretty heavy at times (including going into the math involved) but it's really worth sticking out. I think I got up to part 26 before getting distracted by something or other and forgetting to climb back on (usually the case with me) but one of these days I'm going to start from the beginning again. It's a really fascinating series and makes you feel like you understand what's going on at the component level. 

WELL worth going through the basics of what knobs change what, as that info is pretty universal.
 
The links above are quite good - there are also usually quite a few free patches out on the web for various synth plugins, which you could look at for developing a better understanding of how to make common sorts of sounds from the different kinds of plugins out there.
 
Bob Bone
 

Sound Synthesis Education with tons of great links:
 
http://www.synth.tk/
 
 
 

Thanks everyone for the links... Looking forward to getting more into this.  I just ordered a Roland A-500 pro midi keyboard which should help me get started when it gets here.