I'm in a similar position myself! I have picked up Ableton recently without ever having played any instrument (those 2 weeks in my teens don't count). As a newbie I didn't think it wise to spend much money, so I mostly read some online resources on music theory, but it's hard to find something both accessible and reasonably comprehensive. What did you use to learn sound synthesis and music theory?
I looked for music theory classes on youtube. I found a lot that looked bad, but one I found worth perusing[1]. (A word of warning. It is really corny, but I find him adorable).
For sound synthesizes I've had an easier time (I just wish I could get my hands on some analog modules). I've been reading Gordon Reid's Synth Secret[2], recommended often here on HN.
And if you know javascript and the DOM I do recommend the docs on the Web Audio API, both on MDN[3], and the W3C spec[4] and implementing the modules described in the Synth Secrets. The API maps very nicely (at least in the eyes of a novice) to how modular synthesizers work.
Does anyone know what Alan means by "assignments are a metalevel change from functions, and therefore should not
be dealt with at the same level"? In what way are assignments a metalevel change from functions?
I believe he means that variable and their assignments are at a lower level. Objects interfaces should be defined in terms of the messages they can send and receive. No exposed variables: Variables should always be private/protected and are just used by the objects to maintain their internal state.
