This would be very suitable for a university course on using computer applications to create sound effects and music. Be warned, however, that one needs some background in C++ programming and mathematics to use the book and its associated materials.

The chapter titles indicate the progression and contents of the book: digital audio signals; sampling synthesis; digital filters; modal synthesis; the Fourier transform; spectral modeling and additive synthesis; sub-band vocoders and filterbanks; subtractive synthesis and linear predictive coding (LPC); strings and bars; nonlinearity, wavesharing, and frequency modulation (FM); tubes and air cavities; two and three dimensions; Function d’Onde Formatique (FOF), wavelets, and particles; exciting and controlling sound models; walking synthesis: a complete system; and examples, systems, and applications. There are many figures throughout the book, as well as reading lists.

An included CD-ROM is the most interesting feature of the book. The materials on the disk, including movie clips and sound examples, are associated with individual chapters in the book. Many computer code examples are also provided on the CD-ROM, so that one may see, hear, and create. There is also a comprehensive index at the end of the book. I highly recommend this book to students and programmers alike.