Synthesisers Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a synthesiser?

A

An electric sound generator capable of creating and manipulating synthetic sounds

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2
Q

What does an oscillator do?

A

Generates an initial sound at a pitch, and allows you to choose a wave shape

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3
Q

Describe the sound of a sine wave

A

● Pure tone
● Basic building block of sound

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4
Q

Describe the sound of a triangle wave

A

● Slightly harsher than sine wave
● Flute-like sounds and pads

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5
Q

Describe the sound of a sawtooth wave

A

● Even and edgy sound
● Strings, basses, pads and brass/dance leads

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6
Q

Describe the sound of a square wave

A

● Hollow and woody
● Clarinets, oboes and bass sounds

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7
Q

Describe the sound of a pulse wave

A

● Nasal sounding
● Variable pulse width/mark-space ratio
● Reed instruments and basses

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8
Q

Describe a noise wave

A

● Noise generator creates a random signal.
● Can be used to simulate wind or percussive sounds like cymbals
● Can be filtered to create a sweeping effect

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9
Q

On an oscillator, what does coarse tuning do?

A

Sets the pitch in semitones

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10
Q

On an oscillator, what does fine-tuning do?

A

Sets the pitch in cents (there are 100 cents in a semitone)

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11
Q

How can you create a chorus-like effect on an oscillator?

A

By using fine-tuning to slightly detune multiple oscillators

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12
Q

What does a synthesiser’s polyphony tell you?

A

How many notes it can play simultaneously

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13
Q

How many notes can a monophonic synthesiser play simultaneously?

A

One

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14
Q

On an oscillator, what does the glide or portamento control do?

A

Alters the amount of time it takes to slide between two overlapping notes

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15
Q

On an oscillator, what is pitch bend range?

A

How many semitones the pitch bend wheel or MIDI data will bend a note up or down by

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16
Q

In a synthesiser, what does the filter do?

A

Removes frequencies from the initial signal to shape the sound

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17
Q

What filter do synths often incorporate?

A

Low pass filter

18
Q

On a filter, what is the cutoff frequency?

A

The frequency at which the filter begins to remove frequencies

19
Q

On a synthesiser filter, what is resonance used for?

A

Adding a characteristic narrow boost of frequencies around the cutoff

20
Q

What do high resonance settings lead to?

A

Self oscillation; where the boost of a specific frequency is so loud, the filter creates a pitched note

21
Q

On a synthesiser, what does the amplifier do?

A

Controls the sound’s volume

22
Q

On a synthesiser, what can be used to alter the volume over time?

A

Control signals such as envelopes and LFOs

23
Q

On a synthesiser, what can the envelope generator be used for?

A

To control the oscillator, filter and/or amplifier, depending on the specific synthesiser

24
Q

What are the four envelope stages?

A

ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release)

25
Q

What is the attack stage of an envelope?

A

The time taken for the parameter to increase from 0 to the maximum level

26
Q

What is the decay stage of an envelope?

A

The time taken for the parameter to decrease to the sustain level

27
Q

What is the sustain stage of an envelope?

A

The level at which the parameter is held whilst the key remains pressed

28
Q

What is the release stage of an envelope?

A

The time taken for the parameter to decrease to 0, once the key is released

29
Q

What are some examples of parameters that could be controlled by an envelope?

A

Pitch, filter cutoff frequency, volume

30
Q

What is an LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) ?

A

A control signal used to alter a parameter over time

31
Q

In an LFO, what is the rate?

A

The speed at which the modulation takes place

32
Q

In an LFO, what is the depth?

A

How much the modulation affects the assigned element of the synthesiser

33
Q

In an LFO, what is the shape?

A

The type of waveform used to modulate the signal

34
Q

What is one of the most useful features of LFOs in a DAW?

A

The ability to sync the LFO to the main tempo of the project, creating effects that are in time with your track

35
Q

What was the Hammond B3 organ originally invented as?

A

A low-cost alternative to the pipe organ

36
Q

From what decade was the Hammond B3 organ widely used from?

A

The 1960s

37
Q

Describe the sound a Rhodes piano makes

A

A cross between a bell and a vibraphone

38
Q

What is a Hohner Clavinet?

A

An amplified clavichord that became synonymous with the sound of funk

39
Q

What is an arpeggiator?

A

A basic sequencer that plays or repeats a number of notes in a specific pattern

40
Q

As computers became more powerful, why did plug-in instruments become more popular?

A

Because of their ability to produce the sounds of their hardware equivalent without having to purchase more than one synth

41
Q

What are two negatives to vintage hardware synths?

A

● Hard to get hold of in playable condition
● Often expensive due to the popularity of vintage gear among enthusiasts

42
Q

What has happened to the cost of manufacturing analogue synths in recent years?

A

It’s decreased