Synthesisers Flashcards
What is a synthesiser??
it is an electronic sound generator capable of creating and manipulating synthetic sounds.
It has become common to use synthesisers as DAW plug ins, but the sounds, warmth and authenticity of vintage analogue equipment are highly regarded by many
Oscillator
the oscillator generates an initial sound at a pitch and allows you to choose your wave shape
Each has different harmonic content and thus can be used to create different timbres
Sine Wave
Pure tone
Basic building block of sound
Triangle wave
Slightly harsher than sine wave
Flute like sounds and pads
Sawtooth Wave
Even and edgy sound
Strings, B asses, pads and brass leads
Square wave
Hollow and woody
Clarinets, oboes and bass sounds
Pulse waves
Nasal sounding
Variable pulse width ratio
Reed instruments and basses
noise
A noise generator creates a random signal. White noise consists of all frequencies at an equal amplitude.
other colours of noise have different frequency distributions
Can be used to simulate wind or percussive sounds like cymbals,
Can be filtered to create a sweeping effect
Coarse Tuning
sets the pitch in semitones
Fine tuning
is measured in cents (there are 100 cents to a semitone)
Fine tuning can be used to slightly detune multiple oscillations and create a chorus like effect
Poly/mono synths
a synths polyphony tells us how many notes it can play simultaneously.
A monophonic synth can only play one note at once
Glide/Portamento
The glide/Portamento is used to alter the amount of time it takes to slide between the two overlapping notes
Filter
The filter removes the initial signal to shape the sound
Synths often incorporate a low pass filter which removes all the frequencies above the cutoff filter
The cutoff filter is the point at which the filter starts to remove frequencies
Some synths include high pass filters or band pass filters
Resonance
Resonance is often used on a synth filter to add a characteristic narrow boost of frequencies around the cutoff
it accents a small range of frequencies and creates a whistly sound that makes the signal close to the cutoff seem brighter and harsher
High resonance settings lead to self-oscillation where the boost of a specific frequency is so loud the filter creates a pitched note
Amplifier
The amplifier controls the sounds volume
Control signals such as envelopes and LFO’s can be used to alter the volume over time
envelope generator
Attack- the time taken for the parameter to increase from 0 to the maximum
Decay- The time taken for the parameter to decrease to the sustain level.
Sustain- The level at which the parameter is held whilst the key remains pressed
Release- the time taken for the parameter to decrease to 0, once the key is released.
Envelopes can be used on pitch, filter cutoff frequency and volume
LFO
Like an envelope an LFO is a control single used to alter a parameter over time
Most synths can use LFOs to control different modules: if controlling the oscillator, it can change the base pitch generated, creating vibrato
If it is modulating the filter cutoff frequency, it will periodically change this according to the LFO wave shape
You can sync the LFO to the main tempo of the project which creates effects that are in time with your track
LFO Rate
Speed at which the modulation takes place, can either be synced to a note value in a DAW or given an absolute value in Hertz, often between around 0.05Hz and 15Hz
LFO Depth
How much the modulation affects the assigned element of the synthesiser: the greater the depth, the wider the range of values for the modulated parameter
LFO Shape
Type of waveform used to modulate the signal
Historically important Synths
Moog modular-1965
Minimoog-1969
Sequential circuits prophet-5/ 1977
Roland jupiter 8-1981
Roland TV-303/ 1982
Yamaha DX-7/ 1983
Korg M1-1988
benefits of software Synths
Can be automated by MIDI
DAWS with a global tempo allow you to easily Sync LFO/ Arpeggiators to a note value
better Signal to noise ratio
Wide variety of presets available
Can create your own presets
Can use multiple instances of the Plug-in
Stay in tune reliably
Can have more envelope stages, types of waveform, oscillators and filter types.
benefits of analogue synths
Warmer sounds
Possible to use CV/Gate systems to sync analogue equipment together converters exist to connect analogue synths to MIDI equipment
Music stands out as it’s less reliant on presets
Can easily change the settings on the fly
Other Parameters
Pitch bend, Monophonic and polyphonic, Portamento, Arpeggiator,
