Synthesis Flashcards
What is a synthesiser?
An instrument that electronically creates sound.
What does additive synthesis do?
Combines basic sine waves from the harmonic series.
How is additive synthesis perceived?
Fundamental note is heard as a pitch, the resonating notes as harmonics
What happens to harmonics as they go higher?
They get quieter.
Give an example of an instrument that uses additive synthesis. Give its date.
Hammond B3 organ. 1954
What is subtractive synthesis?
An oscillator creates harmonically rich waveform so that filters can be applied to them.
How does FM synthesis work?
A carrier frequency holds the pitch or fundamental frequency. The modulation frequency alters the carrier frequency with modulation.
How is a waveform produced?
Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO)
What is a sine wave?
Simple regular wave with pure sound.
Why isn’t a sine wave used in subtractive synthesis?
If filtered there would be nothing left
What does a sawtooth wave sound like? What is it ideal for?
Edgy sound, ideal for string sounds.
What is a triangle wave used for?
Quiet harmonics
What sound does a square wave make? What does it emphasise on?
Hollow sound; emphasises on odd numbered harmonics
What is a pulse wave?
Narrow square wave with variable pulse width.
What is white noise?
Hissing sound containing all the frequencies.
What is pink noise?
Rumbling sound with emphasis on lower frequencies.
What are the three main types of VCF?
Low- pass
Hi - pass
Band - pass
What is an envelope shaper?
ADSR: attack, decay, sustain, release.
What is an envelope shaper normally applied to?
Amplitude (VCA), can also include VCF (filter) and VCO (pitch)
What is Attack on ADSR?
How quickly the sound reaches full volume after being triggered.
What is Decay on ADSR?
How quickly sound drops to sustain level after initial peak.
What is Sustain on ADSR?
“Constant” volume sound takes after decay until note is released.
What is release on ADSR?
How quickly sound fades when note ends.
How is modulation achieved?
LFO
How can a vibrato effect be created?
Moderately fast time and short pitch range applied to VCO.
VCO x LFO
How is a tremolo effect created?
VCA x LFO
How is a Wah effect created?
VCF x LFO
What is De-tuning? What result does it create?
Combining one waveform with another which is set at a slightly different pitch, creates an enriched result.
What is Portamento?
Pitch slide
What is an arpeggiator?
Built - in sequencer to create patterns of notes.
What does pink or white noise do when added?
Mixed with a musical waveform creates more gritty sounds.
