Reddit reviews Electronic Music: Systems, Techniques, and Controls

Check this out:
http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Music-Systems-Techniques-Controls/dp/0697036022

Unfortunately it's out of print so it's a small fortune to buy the physical copy, but if you contact the publisher they sell the pdf for $15.

Call your library and get a copy of Allen Strange's Electronic Music: Systems, Techniques, and Controls through inter-library loan.

Work through the book.

I enjoyed / suffered through Alan Strange's book on synthesis, still awesome though obviously dated.

There are pdf's floating around; I eventually found a copy for less than the currently ridiculous asking prices on used book sites

https://www.amazon.ca/Electronic-Music-Systems-Techniques-Controls/dp/0697036022

This book was a little dense, but not too hard to get through for a layman like me who knew next to nothing about synthesis or basic electronics before reading it. It was a slow read, but very much worth it. A little research and you can probably find an electronic copy. Its a crime the book is no longer in print. Look for the 2nd edition.

http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Music-Systems-Techniques-Controls/dp/0697036022

It does take time, even years to learn about synthesis. I would say that the versatility of your keyboard is a hindrance, not a benefit to your learning because although it can do a lot, it is not focused on any aspect of synthesis in particular.

First you need to see synthesis in broad categories. 1. Subtractive, 2. FM, 3. Additive, 4. Granular 5. Hybrid/Sample and Synth... etc.

Definitely master subtractive synthesis first while learning a little bit about the physics of sound such as harmonics (overtones). Having a simple Subtractive synth (it can be a plugin) will limit you in ways that make learning easier.

There are many good books and tutorials online. My favorite is this series of articles by Gordon Reid.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may99/articles/synthsec.htm

Gordon Reid is a great teacher. You can also find a lot of really great tutorials by Reid on the Reason website. They are for the most part applicable to any synth or plugin, not just Reason.

http://www.propellerheads.se/substance/discovering-reason/index.cfm?fuseaction=get_article&article=part19

I myself learned from this book, which although old and out of print, was very helpful and well written:

http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Music-Systems-Techniques-Controls/dp/0697036022/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books-intl-de&qid=1265751623&sr=8-10

its a really pricey now but i got it at the library. I'm sure there are a ton of other books out there that are just as good. In addition to the fundamentals there are time-tested tricks--you mentioned detuning and layering. But its better if you know a bit about physics and it'll all click for you so you can come up with your own tricks.

have fun!