Synthesis Flashcards
What is synthesis?
Electronically creating musical sounds using oscillators and filter etc
What is subtractive synthesis?
Use of filters an envelope generators to remove elements of a signal and shape the sound
What is FM (Frequency Modulation)?
One waveform is used to modulate another
What is additive synthesis?
Since waves of various pitches combined to produce new timbre
- used in hammond organ
What is an Oscillator?
Device that generates waveforms
What is a sine wave?
A pure tone (smooth wave)
What is a sawtooth wave?
Even and edgy sound with rich harmonics (diagonal/straight wave)
What is a square wave?
Hollow/fuzzy sound that emphasises odd numbered harmonics (square shaped wave)
What is a triangle wave?
Slightly harsher than sine wave, with quiet harmonics (triangle shape)
What is White noise?
Noise containing all frequencies
What is Pink noise?
Noise containing all frequencies with more emphasis on lower frequencies
What is an Envelope?
ADSR
Attack
Decay
Sustain
Release
What is Attack?
Time between note starting and when it reaches its peak
What is Decay?
Time from peak dropping to sustain
What is sustain?
Volume at which note is held until key is released
What is Release?
Time note continues after it’s stopped being played until it dies away to nothing
What is VCO?
Voltage Controlled Oscillator
What is VCF
Voltage Controlled Filter
What is VCA
Voltage Controlled Amplifier
Difference between analog and digital synthesis
Analog - uses analog circuitry/sound generating circuitry
Digital - uses processors - computers
Explain the term ‘Glide’
Blends different pitches with glissando/portamento
What is a filter?
Shapes the frequency content of the signal coming out of the oscillator
What is the impact of synthesis?
- Name 4 points
1) Defined sound of electronic and dance music genres
2) Made production more accessible and affordable; one person could do everything
3) Used to experiment with new forms of music
4) Moog synthesiser was one of the first widely available electronic instruments
