Sarah Belle Reid - Learning Sound and SynthesisSarah Belle Reid is a trumpet player, composer, educator, and sonic explorer whose work combines classical performance, experimental electronics, and modular synthesis. With a background in conservatory training and a fearless embrace of improvisation and technology, Sarah’s music blurs boundaries—merging extended trumpet techniques, custom-built software, and handcrafted synth patches into deeply expressive, often otherworldly performances.
It's great to have Sarah back on the Music Production Podcast! We talk about music as a practice, the joys of unpredictability in modular synthesis, and how constraints lead to creativity. We explore her educational approach and the value of creative curiosity. Sarah reminds us that music-making should be fun and playful!
Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube
Sarah's Upcoming Workshops and Courses:
Sign up for Sarah's FREE Live Workshops: How to Finally Start Making Music with Synths (Without Feeling Overwhelmed or Getting Lost in Gear) - https://www.soundandsynthesis.com/a/2148058115/2H9xLyBG
Sarah is about to open enrollment for her very limited and highly-praised Learning Sound and Synthesis Course. Sign up for the priority notification list to get early access and exclusive early-bird bonuses! Learn more here: https://www.soundandsynthesis.com/a/2148028332/2H9xLyBG
Takeaways: •
Modular as Playground – She uses modular synths not to replicate traditional instruments, but to build interactive environments for sonic exploration.
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Start with Curiosity – Whether teaching or performing, Sarah emphasizes the power of asking “What happens if…?” rather than chasing specific outcomes.
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Constraints Create Freedom – Limiting one’s tools or techniques can paradoxically unlock deeper creativity and more personal expression.
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Improvisation as Listening – Sarah sees improvisation not as random playing, but as a form of deep listening—responding to yourself, your tools, and your environment in real time.
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Bridging Tradition and Tech – With a conservatory background and a DIY ethos, Sarah integrates academic rigor with playful experimentation.
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Teaching the Inner Artist – Her courses focus on helping students reconnect with joy, experimentation, and the “why” of making music—not just the “how.”
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Sound as Emotional Language – Sarah uses synthesis to explore emotion and identity, encouraging others to find their own voice through abstract sound.
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Every Patch is a Performance – Even small synth patches hold potential for deep expression. You don’t need complexity to create something meaningful.
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Links: • Sarah's Official Site -
https://www.sarahbellereid.com/ • Learning Sound and Synthesis Course -
https://www.soundandsynthesis.com/a/2148028332/2H9xLyBG • Live Workshop - How to Finally Start Making Music with Synths (Without Feeling Overwhelmed or Getting Lost in Gear) -
https://www.soundandsynthesis.com/a/2148058115/2H9xLyBG • How to Design Your First Modular Synth Patch Free Course -
https://www.soundandsynthesis.com/a/2148028330/2H9xLyBG • Sarah's Instagram -
https://www.instagram.com/sarahbellereid/ • Sarah's YouTube -
https://www.youtube.com/@sarahbellereid • Sarah and Andrew Huang "No Listening" Collaboration -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWPg2Sb1Zas • Support Sarah on Patreon -
https://www.patreon.com/sarahbellereid • Sarah on Music Production Podcast #334 -
https://brianfunk.com/blog/sarah-belle-reid • Eventide MixerLink -
https://amzn.to/4fGgLvv • Onward Chase Bliss -
https://www.chasebliss.com/onward • Brian Funk Website -
https://brianfunk.com • Music Production Club -
https://brianfunk.com/mpc •
• 5-Minute Music Producer -
https://brianfunk.com/book • Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack -
https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit • Music Production Podcast -
https://brianfunk.com/podcast • Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST -
https://brianfunk.com/store • This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule -
https://performodule.com/
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
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