Synthesis Flashcards
Oscillator (VCO)
Generates the tone. Most synthesizer oscillators generate harmonically rich waveforms, such as sawtooth, triangle, square and pulse waves.
Analog Synthesizer
Combines Voltage controlled circuits such as oscillators, filters, and amplifiers to generate shape and shape sounds. Higher voltage equals higher pitch.
Digital Synthesizer
Binary descriptions of the signal are fed between ‘modules’ as opposed to physical modules and cables.
Hybrid Synthesizer
An analog synth with a digital oscillator to avoid drifting in pitch.
Virtual Analog Synthesizer
A digital synth which emulates an analog synth.
Low Frequency Oscillators (LFOs)
‘Control’ oscillators whose shapes can be used to modulate modules above.
Filters (LPF, BPF, HPF)
Controls tone via cutoff and brightness via resonance. There are 3 modes; low, high and band pass/stop.
Envelopes (ADSR)
Shape sounds over time with ADSR.
Amplifier (VCA)
Controls the volume of the sound.
1920
Theramin - An instrument controlled by moving your hands near the two aerials, which manipulate pitch and amplitude.
Example: Beach Boys - Good Vibrations.
1928
Ondes Martenot - Keyboard instrument that produces theramin tones by manipulating a ribbon underneath the keys.
Example: Radiohead - How to Disappear Completely.
1954
Hammond B-3 Organ - A tone wheel draw bar organ that is played through a rotating speaker.
Example: Deep Purple.
1965
Rhodes Piano - Classic electric piano that sounds like a bell crossed with a vibraphone.
Example: Herbie Handcock- Bitch Brew.
1969
Minimoog - Portable version of the moog modular synth; known for its monophonic lead synth sound.
Example: Stevie Wonder - Living for the City.
1977
Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 - Polyphonic analogue synth that can play 5 notes simultaneously.
Example: Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmas Time.
1981
Roland Jupiter-8 (JP-8) - Polyphonic synth capable of playing 8 notes simultaneously. Included a built in arpeggiator.
Example: Queen - Radio Gaga.
1982
Roland TB-303 - Used in dance music during the 1980s Acid House. Used for creating bass lines.
Example: Phuture - Acid Trax.
1983
Yamaha DX-7 - First commercially successful digital synth which used frequency modulation. Capable of creating a range of timbres.
Example: Brian Eno.
1988
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.
Order Of Modules
VCO, LFO, Filter, ADSR, VCA.
