synthesis Flashcards
(16 cards)
what is a synthesiser?
an electronic sound generator that can create and manipulate synthetic sounds
what does the oscillator do?
generates an initial sound at a pitch, then wave shape is chosen
what are the 6 waveforms?
- sine
- sawtooth
- triangle
- square
- noise
- pulse
what does the filter do?
removes frequencies from initial signal to share the sound
what is the cut-off frequency?
the point where the filter begins to remove frequencies
what is the amplifier?
controls volume and signals such as envelopes and LFO’s
what are the 4 stages of envelope?
- attack
- decay
- sustain
- release
what is an LFO?
a control signal used to alter a parameter over time
what do synthesisers use LFOs for?
used to control different modules
what does the LFO do when used to control oscillators?
it can create vibrato by changing the bass pitch
how do you measure LFO?
- rate (speed)
- depth (width)
- shape (type of waveform)
what is a software synthesiser?
a digital instrument that can mimic the sounds of traditional hardware synthesisers
why are digital synthesisers used more?
they are cheaper and easier to get hold of compared to analogue synthesisers eventhough they are more desired as they hold the ‘vintage’ sounds
give 3 benefits of digital synthesisers..
- better signal to noise ratio
- can create your own presets and share online
- DAWs wit a global tempo allow you to easily sync LFOs/ arpeggiators to a note value
give 3 benefits to analogue synthesisers…
- warm and less harsher than digital as the flaws of analogue like noise or distortion are more desired
- music is more unique and less reliant on presets
- you can use gate systems to sync analogue equipment together
what are 3 historically important synthesisers?
1965 - Moog Modular
1977 - Sequential Circuits Prophet-5
1981 - Roland Jupiter-8 (JP-8)
