Granular Synthesis Flashcards
What is Granular Synthesis?
Granular synthesis is a form of synthesis based on a process called granulation. Granulation involves breaking down an audio sample into tiny segments of audio called “grains,” typically between 5 and 100 milliseconds in length. A granular synth allows the user to manipulate these grains, transforming the original sample in weird and wonderful ways.
How is Granular Synthesis different from regular (subtractive) synthesis?
Regular Synthesis
Starts with an oscillator that generates a waveform (like a sine or sawtooth wave).
That sound is then filtered and sent to a vca controlled by an envelope.
Subtractive Synthesis
Granular Synthesis uses existing audio as a sound source and chops it into little bits known as grains.
How long can a grain be?
5-100 ms long
What is the function of the grain depth knob?
The grain depth knob is how many of these looped grains are in every single second. Can be as low as ten or as many as a thousand.
What is the playhead on a granular synth do?
The playhead is the point where the synth is pulling the grains from. The playhead will be moving through the source sample, playing back different grains over time. On top of that, it’s possible to play multiple grains at once, play them at different speeds and volumes, and change many other parameters—all on the fly.
When did Granular Synthesis take off?
The intense processor demands of granular synthesis kept it a niche pursuit until well into the ‘90s and 2000s. Accessible tools like Max/MSP and Native Instruments’ REAKTOR sparked new interest in the method. In the new century, granular synthesis has taken its seat at the synthesis table, with a host of popular granular synths shaping developments in sound design, electronic music, and film scoring.
What are some common uses of granular synths
ambient textures/pads, digital sounds, glitchy sounds
What does envelope refer to in Granular Synthesis?
The grain envelope sets the fades at the start and end of each grain played. (This is sometimes called grain shape or “smoothing.”) Imagine each grain is a single sample being played back, or a single region of audio in your DAW. With short envelopes, playback of the grain will start and stop abruptly. With the envelope setting turned up, the grain will fade smoothly in and out. Smoother envelopes create a creamy, consistent sound. Turn the envelope down for a choppy effect.
What does pitch refer to in Granular Synthesis?
Pitch, or transposition, sets the pitch of each grain relative to the original pitch of the sample. For instance, a pitch of +12 semitones will cause the grain to play back an octave higher than the original sample.
What does lfo refer to in Granular Synthesis?
By assigning the LFO to a parameter in your synth (like grain size, for example), you can cause this parameter to change its value over time. Modulators such as LFOs are essential for creating lifelike sounds.
What does Jitter refer to in Granular Synthesis?
Jitter, or randomness, controls the amount by which a certain parameter deviates around a central value. For example, you might have pitch set to +12 semitones. If jitter is turned up, then each grain will deviate a random amount above or below +12. The higher the jitter setting, the greater the deviation
