Synths Flashcards
What does synthesis mean in music?
Creating something artificially, using waveforms to create sounds without any acoustic element
How does a subtractive synth work?
Start with a harmonically rich tone and use the synth settings to subtract certain harmonics to create the desired sound
How does additive synthesis work?
Created by combining sine waves at different frequencies, volumes, quantities. Supposedly any waveform can be created by the correct mixture of sine waves.
How does FM synthesis work and what does it stand for?
One waveform is used to modulate another. The two waveforms are called, ‘The Carrier’ and ‘The Modulator’. They both have their own frequency and one wave alters the frequency on the other. - Stands for Frequency Modulation
Oscillators are…?
the knob that shapes the wave. Oscillation means something moving back and forth in a regular pattern. Most oscillators have a variety of different waveforms used for different characteristics
Sine Wave characteristics?
Pure sound, basic blocks of all sounds we hear
Triangle Wave characteristics?
Slightly harsher and more harmonics than sine waves. Used for flute-like textures, pad sounds, and melodic vocal sounds
Sawtooth Wave Characteristics?
Even and edgy with rich harmonics. Used for strings, pads, brass sounds. Common in synth leads in EDM
Square Wave Characteristics?
Hollow and woody that emphasises odd numbered harmonics. Used in clarinet, oboe, brass sounds
Pulse Wave Characteristics
Basically a square wave but has variable ‘pulse’ width. Used for reed instruments, basses, interesting synth sounds. Can be used to create timbres that change slowly throughout the note
What is the (white) noise thing about?
Some oscillators have options of a Noise Generator which is basically lots of irregular waveforms. Noises can be mixed to create a more complex sounds. Used for sweeps.
White Noise Characteristics
Contains all frequencies
Pink Noise Characteristics
More emphasis on the lower characteristics
What does the filter section do on a synth
Begins to shape the sound.
Examples of filters?
LPF, HPF, BPF
2 Important controls on a filter?
- Cut-Off Frequency - Sets the point at which the filter begins to operate.
- Resonance - affects the sound of the cut-off frequency itself. Affects the shape of the waveform by creating a boost in volume around the cut-off frequency.
What is an Envelope?
The shape of the sound through time
4 sections of an envelope are…?
Attack - The length of time it takes between a note starting and reaching its peak
Decay - The amount of time it takes from the peak to drop down to the ‘Sustain’ level
Sustain - The volume at which the note is held until the key is released
Release - The length of time that the note continues after it has stopped being played until it reaches nothing
What parameters can an Envelope also control?
When assigned to the filter, it can control the cut-off frequency
When assigned to an oscillator, it can control pitch
Important Synths historically…?
Moog Modular - 1965
Minimoog - 1969
Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 - 1977
Roland Jupiter 8 - 1981
Roland TB-303 - 1982
Yamaha DX-7 - 1983
Korg M1 - 1988
What 2 things does an amplifier control?
- The volume of the sound
- The signals such as envelopes and LFOs to alter volume over time
Describe an LFO
Like an envelope, an LFO is a control signal used to alter a parameter over time. But frequencies affected are below audible range.
Rate - Speed of modulation (can be synced)
Depth - How much the modulation affects the element it has been assigned
Shape - Type of waveform used to modulate the signal
What is an arpeggiator?
A basic sequencer that plays / repeats a number of notes in a specific pattern.
Incorporated in the Roland Jupiter 8
Can be synced to track tempo in DAW
What are some important electronic instruments in history?
- Theremin - 1920
- Hammond Organ - 1954
- Rhodes Piano - 1965
- Hohner Clavinet - 1968
How do balanced cables work?
They have a hot, cold, and earth wire. The cold signal is a polarity inverted version of the hot signal… noise is picked up equally on both signals and when they reach their destination the cold polarity is inverted again meaning that the polarity is the same but the noise cancels out.
What is EQ?
a process by which different frequency ranges are increased or decreased in volume.
LPF?
Reduces level of all frequencies ABOVE the cut-off frequency
HPF?
Reduces level of all frequencies BELOW the cut-off frequency
BPF?
Allows a centre range of frequencies to pass, removing high and low frequencies outside of the range.
What is a Parametric EQ used for and why is it useful?
Can be used to boost or cut around a variable centre frequency.
Useful to adjust the amplitude of a specific frequency range
Also used to reduce a resonance such as a ring on a snare drum
Shelving Filters?
Allow a cut or boost of signal beyond a specific frequency.
What is RT60?
Time taken from direct sound until the decibel level has decreased by 60dB.
Explain Chorus
Delays a copy of original signal, playing the delayed version alongside the clean signal to give the effect of multiple instruments at the same time.
When an LFO is used to delay the signal, the pitch is also affected giving the wet signal a vibrato.
Often used on electric guitars, fretless bass, synth pads
Explain Flanger
Gives a swirling effect. Some of the effected signal is fed back into the unit generating a sweeping, pitched sound that is in time with the LFO.
2 identical signals are played but one is slightly slower.
Explain Phaser
Similar to flanging but subtler.
2 signals combine in varying ways
Can be used to add movement to distorted guitar parts
Explain Distortion
Originally achieved by overloading the circuitry at some point in the signal chain. This clipped waveforms top and bottom giving more harmonics.
Explain Overdrive
Smoother than fuzz, often used for chordal passages and riffs.
Explain Fuzz
Made famous by Jimi Hendrix.
Raw edgy sound that works better with solo lines because it plays simultaneously sounding notes that interfere with each other.
When was MIDI invented?
1983
Which computer could link up using MIDI for the first time?
Atari-ST - 1985
Why was MIDI so popular?
It was easier to programme a sequence on the computer and send it through the MIDI ports to control a synthesiser, sample, or drum machine.
3 Benefits of Soft Synths?
- Can be automated by MDI
- Can sync easily with track tempo in DAWs
- Better signal-to-noise ratio
- Wide variety of pre-sets available
- Create own pre-sets
- Can use multiple of same plug-in
- Reliably stay in tine
- More envelope stages
3 Benefits of Analogue Synths?
- Warm analogue sound
- Can use CV/Gate systems to sync
- Unique sounding in modern setting
- Easy to change settings ‘on the fly’ because of ‘hands-on’ interface
What was the earliest popular sampler?
Mellotron - 1962
What is Step Sequencing?
When notes are entered into a sequencer’s memory one at a time onto a grid / series of buttons.
Built into a number of analogue synths - 1970s
How do Analogue Sequencers work?
Send CV/Gate signals to trigger notes on a synthesiser.
A voltage was sent to the synthesiser to control note on/off by opening and closing gates
How does Digital Sequencing work?
Digitally controlling Analogue Sequencers using voltage control still but this time with computer memory.
What does Compression do?
Reduces the dynamic range of music
What does a Limiter do?
Compressors with extreme settings
What does an Expander do?
Opposite to a compressor, they reduce the level of signals that fall below a threshold, expanding the dynamic range.
What does a Noise Gate do?
Expanders with extreme settings
