Synthesis

Question 1

Oscillator (VCO)

Answer 1

Generates the tone. Most synthesizer oscillators generate harmonically rich waveforms, such as sawtooth, triangle, square and pulse waves.

Question 2

Analog Synthesizer

Answer 2

Combines Voltage controlled circuits such as oscillators, filters, and amplifiers to generate shape and shape sounds. Higher voltage equals higher pitch.

Question 3

Digital Synthesizer

Answer 3

Binary descriptions of the signal are fed between ‘modules’ as opposed to physical modules and cables.

Question 4

Hybrid Synthesizer

Answer 4

An analog synth with a digital oscillator to avoid drifting in pitch.

Question 5

Virtual Analog Synthesizer

Answer 5

A digital synth which emulates an analog synth.

Question 6

Low Frequency Oscillators (LFOs)

Answer 6

‘Control’ oscillators whose shapes can be used to modulate modules above.

Question 7

Filters (LPF, BPF, HPF)

Answer 7

Controls tone via cutoff and brightness via resonance. There are 3 modes; low, high and band pass/stop.

Question 8

Envelopes (ADSR)

Answer 8

Shape sounds over time with ADSR.

Question 9

Amplifier (VCA)

Answer 9

Controls the volume of the sound.

Question 10

1920

Answer 10

Theramin - An instrument controlled by moving your hands near the two aerials, which manipulate pitch and amplitude.
Example: Beach Boys - Good Vibrations.

Question 11

1928

Answer 11

Ondes Martenot - Keyboard instrument that produces theramin tones by manipulating a ribbon underneath the keys.
Example: Radiohead - How to Disappear Completely.

Question 12

1954

Answer 12

Hammond B-3 Organ - A tone wheel draw bar organ that is played through a rotating speaker.
Example: Deep Purple.

Question 13

1965

Answer 13

Rhodes Piano - Classic electric piano that sounds like a bell crossed with a vibraphone.
Example: Herbie Handcock- Bitch Brew.

Question 14

1969

Answer 14

Minimoog - Portable version of the moog modular synth; known for its monophonic lead synth sound.
Example: Stevie Wonder - Living for the City.

Question 15

1977

Answer 15

Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 - Polyphonic analogue synth that can play 5 notes simultaneously.
Example: Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmas Time.

Question 16

1981

Answer 16

Roland Jupiter-8 (JP-8) - Polyphonic synth capable of playing 8 notes simultaneously. Included a built in arpeggiator.
Example: Queen - Radio Gaga.

Question 17

1982

Answer 17

Roland TB-303 - Used in dance music during the 1980s Acid House. Used for creating bass lines.
Example: Phuture - Acid Trax.

Question 18

1983

Answer 18

Yamaha DX-7 - First commercially successful digital synth which used frequency modulation. Capable of creating a range of timbres.
Example: Brian Eno.

Question 19

1988

Answer 19

Korg M1 - Sampling synth used extensively in pop music during the 1980s and 1990s. It creates accurate realistic sounding instruments as well as more unusual timbres.
Example: Mike Oldfield.

Question 20

Order Of Modules

Answer 20

VCO, LFO, Filter, ADSR, VCA.