Synthesis+Notes

Subtractive Synthesis-

Oscillator generates sound that goes to filter, filter subtracts certain frequencies, amplifier makes it sound like an actual instrument Filters: Low pass filter, high pass filter, cut off filter Essentially takes away parts of sounds

Additive Synthesis-

Takes a waveform and layers a different wave over it with a different oscillator, can hear three frequencies

Frequency Modulation (FM) Synthesis-

instead of using a waveform, uses pitch to create sound, two oscillators, one creates sound, other alters it (altering pitch with another sound)

Amplitude Modulation (AM) Synthesis-

adds another frequency over top of another one, creates a third frequency, changes amplitude of certain sections of a waveform

Sample Base Synthesis-

Opposite of additive and subtractive synthesis. Uses sampled sounds instead of distinct waveforms. Prerecorded tones (mellotron).

Wavetable Synthesis-

Takes a recorded sound, takes desired part of sound, breaks in into parts, assigns parts to a table, manipulates the table with a synthesizer

Vector Synthesis-

Made of four oscillators, use a joystick that allows you to move from one oscillator to the next, closer you are to an oscillator, the louder it gets (uses four preset oscillators)

Algorithmic Synthesis-

uses mathematical equations to produce specific sounds

Physical Modeling Synthesis-

uses mathematical equations to create a sound, more complex the equation, more accurate it is, can be used to recreate a specific sound event

Digital Waveguide Synthesis-

Is an equation (simple), uses digital delay lines, digital filters, has original sound, takes recording, adds sound, then adds timbre, digitally generates acoustic models

Formant Synthesis-

Can amplify certain harmonics in a sound, change the amplitude of the harmonics, synthesizer that mimics the human speech production mechanism, change resonance as if it was produced with your mouth, also called voice synthesis, used to create synthetic speech

Kurplus Strong String Synthesis-

a type of physical modeling synthesis, loops a short waveform, filtered delay line, sounds like the hammering or plucking of a string or some percussive sound Doofus terms: analyzing the attack of a sound using a mathematical algorithm, another mathematical evil thing, describes the initial sound of an instrument