Synthesis & Waveforms

Question 1

What are the most common types of waveforms?

Answer 1

• Saw
• Sine
• Triangle
• Square
• Noise

Question 2

What is additive synthesis?

Answer 2

Builds complex sound from sine (pure) waveforms. Adds certain frequencies.

Question 3

What is FM synthesis?

Answer 3

Uses one sine wave to distort the other in order to produce harmonics.

Question 4

What is granular synthesis?

Answer 4

Uses snippets (grains) of a source sample that are looped in order to create tones and timbres.

Question 5

What is subtractive synthesis?

Answer 5

Removing certain frequencies to shape sound.

Question 6

What effects did synthesis have to music?

Answer 6

• Developed / created new genres.
• Was used to mimic real instruments.
• Opened up a doorway to creativity that wasn’t available before.

Question 7

When was synthesis first introduced?

Answer 7

1960s

Question 8

What did synthesis look like in the 1960s?

Answer 8

Analogue and modular (big machines with many modules), started with subtractive synthesis.

Question 9

Difference between Moog and Buchla?

Answer 9

Moog (east coast) - synths produced more ‘conventional’ music.
Buchla (west coast) - synths were less popular as they were more counterculture.

Question 10

What is a waveform?

Answer 10

A graphical representation of a wave’s displacement, and how it changes over time.

Question 11

What are the 5 main filters?

Answer 11

• Low-pass (LPF).
• High-pass (HPF).
• Band-pass (BPF).
• Notch.
• Comb.

Question 12

What do LFOs control for the following effects:
- Tremolo
- Wah
- Vibrato

Answer 12

• Tremolo = volume.
• Wah = filter cutoff.
• Vibrato = pitch.

Question 13

What are the parameters for an envelope?

Answer 13

Attack
Decay
Sustain
Release

Question 14

What does a sine wave sound like and what is its harmonic content?

Answer 14

Pure / clean sound. One fundamental frequency.

Question 15

What does a square wave sound like and what is its harmonic content?

Answer 15

Harsh and buzzy, not rich. Has odd harmonics

Question 16

What does a sawtooth wave sound like and what is its harmonic content?

Answer 16

Bright and buzzy, rich. Has both even and odd harmonics

Question 17

What does a triangle wave sound like and what is its harmonic content?

Answer 17

Smooth, ‘recorder-y’. Has weak odd harmonics.

Question 18

Difference between a monophonic and polyphonic synth?

Answer 18

Mono can only play one note at a time.
Poly can play multiple notes simultaneously.