Synthesisers Flashcards
What is a synthesiser?
An electric sound generator capable of creating and manipulating synthetic sounds
What does an oscillator do?
Generates an initial sound at a pitch, and allows you to choose a wave shape
Describe the sound of a sine wave
● Pure tone
● Basic building block of sound
Describe the sound of a triangle wave
● Slightly harsher than sine wave
● Flute-like sounds and pads
Describe the sound of a sawtooth wave
● Even and edgy sound
● Strings, basses, pads and brass/dance leads
Describe the sound of a square wave
● Hollow and woody
● Clarinets, oboes and bass sounds
Describe the sound of a pulse wave
● Nasal sounding
● Variable pulse width/mark-space ratio
● Reed instruments and basses
Describe a noise wave
● 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
On an oscillator, what does coarse tuning do?
Sets the pitch in semitones
On an oscillator, what does fine-tuning do?
Sets the pitch in cents (there are 100 cents in a semitone)
How can you create a chorus-like effect on an oscillator?
By using fine-tuning to slightly detune multiple oscillators
What does a synthesiser’s polyphony tell you?
How many notes it can play simultaneously
How many notes can a monophonic synthesiser play simultaneously?
One
On an oscillator, what does the glide or portamento control do?
Alters the amount of time it takes to slide between two overlapping notes
On an oscillator, what is pitch bend range?
How many semitones the pitch bend wheel or MIDI data will bend a note up or down by
In a synthesiser, what does the filter do?
Removes frequencies from the initial signal to shape the sound
What filter do synths often incorporate?
Low pass filter
On a filter, what is the cutoff frequency?
The frequency at which the filter begins to remove frequencies
On a synthesiser filter, what is resonance used for?
Adding a characteristic narrow boost of frequencies around the cutoff
What do high resonance settings lead to?
Self oscillation; where the boost of a specific frequency is so loud, the filter creates a pitched note
On a synthesiser, what does the amplifier do?
Controls the sound’s volume
On a synthesiser, what can be used to alter the volume over time?
Control signals such as envelopes and LFOs
On a synthesiser, what can the envelope generator be used for?
To control the oscillator, filter and/or amplifier, depending on the specific synthesiser
What are the four envelope stages?
ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release)
What is the attack stage of an envelope?
The time taken for the parameter to increase from 0 to the maximum level
What is the decay stage of an envelope?
The time taken for the parameter to decrease to the sustain level
What is the sustain stage of an envelope?
The level at which the parameter is held whilst the key remains pressed
What is the release stage of an envelope?
The time taken for the parameter to decrease to 0, once the key is released
What are some examples of parameters that could be controlled by an envelope?
Pitch, filter cutoff frequency, volume
What is an LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) ?
A control signal used to alter a parameter over time
In an LFO, what is the rate?
The speed at which the modulation takes place
In an LFO, what is the depth?
How much the modulation affects the assigned element of the synthesiser
In an LFO, what is the shape?
The type of waveform used to modulate the signal
What is one of the most useful features of LFOs in a DAW?
The ability to sync the LFO to the main tempo of the project, creating effects that are in time with your track
What was the Hammond B3 organ originally invented as?
A low-cost alternative to the pipe organ
From what decade was the Hammond B3 organ widely used from?
The 1960s
Describe the sound a Rhodes piano makes
A cross between a bell and a vibraphone
What is a Hohner Clavinet?
An amplified clavichord that became synonymous with the sound of funk
What is an arpeggiator?
A basic sequencer that plays or repeats a number of notes in a specific pattern
As computers became more powerful, why did plug-in instruments become more popular?
Because of their ability to produce the sounds of their hardware equivalent without having to purchase more than one synth
What are two negatives to vintage hardware synths?
● Hard to get hold of in playable condition
● Often expensive due to the popularity of vintage gear among enthusiasts
What has happened to the cost of manufacturing analogue synths in recent years?
It’s decreased
