Synthesisers

Question 1

What is a synthesiser??

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Oscillator

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Sine Wave

Answer 3

Pure tone

Basic building block of sound

Question 4

Triangle wave

Answer 4

Slightly harsher than sine wave

Flute like sounds and pads

Question 5

Sawtooth Wave

Answer 5

Even and edgy sound

Strings, B asses, pads and brass leads

Question 6

Square wave

Answer 6

Hollow and woody

Clarinets, oboes and bass sounds

Question 7

Pulse waves

Answer 7

Nasal sounding
Variable pulse width ratio
Reed instruments and basses

Question 8

noise

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Coarse Tuning

Answer 9

sets the pitch in semitones

Question 10

Fine tuning

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Poly/mono synths

Answer 11

a synths polyphony tells us how many notes it can play simultaneously.

A monophonic synth can only play one note at once

Question 12

Glide/Portamento

Answer 12

The glide/Portamento is used to alter the amount of time it takes to slide between the two overlapping notes

Question 13

Filter

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Resonance

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Amplifier

Answer 15

The amplifier controls the sounds volume

Control signals such as envelopes and LFO’s can be used to alter the volume over time

Question 16

envelope generator

Answer 16

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

Question 17

LFO

Answer 17

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

Question 18

LFO Rate

Answer 18

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

Question 19

LFO Depth

Answer 19

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

Question 20

LFO Shape

Answer 20

Type of waveform used to modulate the signal

Question 21

Historically important Synths

Answer 21

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

Question 22

benefits of software Synths

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

benefits of analogue synths

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Other Parameters

Answer 24

Pitch bend, Monophonic and polyphonic, Portamento, Arpeggiator,