Synthesis Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a synthesiser?

A

An instrument that electronically creates sound.

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2
Q

What does additive synthesis do?

A

Combines basic sine waves from the harmonic series.

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3
Q

How is additive synthesis perceived?

A

Fundamental note is heard as a pitch, the resonating notes as harmonics

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4
Q

What happens to harmonics as they go higher?

A

They get quieter.

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5
Q

Give an example of an instrument that uses additive synthesis. Give its date.

A

Hammond B3 organ. 1954

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6
Q

What is subtractive synthesis?

A

An oscillator creates harmonically rich waveform so that filters can be applied to them.

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7
Q

How does FM synthesis work?

A

A carrier frequency holds the pitch or fundamental frequency. The modulation frequency alters the carrier frequency with modulation.

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8
Q

How is a waveform produced?

A

Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO)

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9
Q

What is a sine wave?

A

Simple regular wave with pure sound.

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10
Q

Why isn’t a sine wave used in subtractive synthesis?

A

If filtered there would be nothing left

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11
Q

What does a sawtooth wave sound like? What is it ideal for?

A

Edgy sound, ideal for string sounds.

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12
Q

What is a triangle wave used for?

A

Quiet harmonics

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13
Q

What sound does a square wave make? What does it emphasise on?

A

Hollow sound; emphasises on odd numbered harmonics

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14
Q

What is a pulse wave?

A

Narrow square wave with variable pulse width.

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15
Q

What is white noise?

A

Hissing sound containing all the frequencies.

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16
Q

What is pink noise?

A

Rumbling sound with emphasis on lower frequencies.

17
Q

What are the three main types of VCF?

A

Low- pass
Hi - pass
Band - pass

18
Q

What is an envelope shaper?

A

ADSR: attack, decay, sustain, release.

19
Q

What is an envelope shaper normally applied to?

A

Amplitude (VCA), can also include VCF (filter) and VCO (pitch)

20
Q

What is Attack on ADSR?

A

How quickly the sound reaches full volume after being triggered.

21
Q

What is Decay on ADSR?

A

How quickly sound drops to sustain level after initial peak.

22
Q

What is Sustain on ADSR?

A

“Constant” volume sound takes after decay until note is released.

23
Q

What is release on ADSR?

A

How quickly sound fades when note ends.

24
Q

How is modulation achieved?

A

LFO

25
Q

How can a vibrato effect be created?

A

Moderately fast time and short pitch range applied to VCO.

VCO x LFO

26
Q

How is a tremolo effect created?

A

VCA x LFO

27
Q

How is a Wah effect created?

A

VCF x LFO

28
Q

What is De-tuning? What result does it create?

A

Combining one waveform with another which is set at a slightly different pitch, creates an enriched result.

29
Q

What is Portamento?

A

Pitch slide

30
Q

What is an arpeggiator?

A

Built - in sequencer to create patterns of notes.

31
Q

What does pink or white noise do when added?

A

Mixed with a musical waveform creates more gritty sounds.