Synthesisers

Question 1

What is a synthesiser?

Answer 1

An electric sound generator capable of creating and manipulating synthetic sounds

Question 2

What does an oscillator do?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Describe the sound of a sine wave

Answer 3

● Pure tone
● Basic building block of sound

Question 4

Describe the sound of a triangle wave

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Describe the sound of a sawtooth wave

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Describe the sound of a square wave

Answer 6

● Hollow and woody
● Clarinets, oboes and bass sounds

Question 7

Describe the sound of a pulse wave

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Describe a noise wave

Answer 8

● 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

Question 9

On an oscillator, what does coarse tuning do?

Answer 9

Sets the pitch in semitones

Question 10

On an oscillator, what does fine-tuning do?

Answer 10

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

Question 11

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

Answer 11

By using fine-tuning to slightly detune multiple oscillators

Question 12

What does a synthesiser’s polyphony tell you?

Answer 12

How many notes it can play simultaneously

Question 13

How many notes can a monophonic synthesiser play simultaneously?

Answer 13

One

Question 14

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

Answer 14

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

Question 15

On an oscillator, what is pitch bend range?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

In a synthesiser, what does the filter do?

Answer 16

Removes frequencies from the initial signal to shape the sound

Question 17

What filter do synths often incorporate?

Answer 17

Low pass filter

Question 18

On a filter, what is the cutoff frequency?

Answer 18

The frequency at which the filter begins to remove frequencies

Question 19

On a synthesiser filter, what is resonance used for?

Answer 19

Adding a characteristic narrow boost of frequencies around the cutoff

Question 20

What do high resonance settings lead to?

Answer 20

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

Question 21

On a synthesiser, what does the amplifier do?

Answer 21

Controls the sound’s volume

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Control signals such as envelopes and LFOs

Question 23

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

Answer 23

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

Question 24

What are the four envelope stages?

Answer 24

ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release)

Question 25

What is the attack stage of an envelope?

Answer 25

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

Question 26

What is the decay stage of an envelope?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

What is the sustain stage of an envelope?

Answer 27

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

Question 28

What is the release stage of an envelope?

Answer 28

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

Question 29

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

Answer 29

Pitch, filter cutoff frequency, volume

Question 30

What is an LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) ?

Answer 30

A control signal used to alter a parameter over time

Question 31

In an LFO, what is the rate?

Answer 31

The speed at which the modulation takes place

Question 32

In an LFO, what is the depth?

Answer 32

How much the modulation affects the assigned element of the synthesiser

Question 33

In an LFO, what is the shape?

Answer 33

The type of waveform used to modulate the signal

Question 34

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

Answer 34

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

Question 35

What was the Hammond B3 organ originally invented as?

Answer 35

A low-cost alternative to the pipe organ

Question 36

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

Answer 36

The 1960s

Question 37

Describe the sound a Rhodes piano makes

Answer 37

A cross between a bell and a vibraphone

Question 38

What is a Hohner Clavinet?

Answer 38

An amplified clavichord that became synonymous with the sound of funk

Question 39

What is an arpeggiator?

Answer 39

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

Question 40

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

Answer 40

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

Question 41

What are two negatives to vintage hardware synths?

Answer 41

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

Question 42

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

Answer 42

It’s decreased