Synthesis

?
  • Created by: Roisin
  • Created on: 01-06-13 18:31

What is a Synthesiser and how does it work ?

  • Electronic musical device 
  • wide range of sound 
  • Imitates other sounds 
  • Produces orig sounds
  • knobs & sliders control the sound 
  • synthetic sound - diff frm musical instrmnt 
  • Can make more than one type of sound 
  • Synths manip & combin qualities of sound 2 create new 1 
  • Synths-  controlled via keyboards, sequncrs & instru controllers 
  • Synths create electrical signals 
  • Synths convert the signals to sound - loud speakers and headphone 
  • MINIMOOG (1970)
  • Prophet - 5 synth 1970s-1980.
  • 1897 Teleharmonium- Thaddeus Cahill - Additive synthesis 
  • Monophonic electrn keyboard – Hammond Solovox (1940)
1 of 4

Types of Synthesis

Subtractive: Partials of audio signal attenuated by a filter to alter the timbre of a sound 

Additive: Creates timbre by adding sine waves together 

Sample based synthesis:  Audio that employs sampled sounds or instuments as the basis for its sounds 

Frequency modulation synthesis: Timbre waveform is modulated by frequency 

  • 1979- Linn LM-1 1st digi sampler 
  • 83 - Yamaha DX7 - 1st synth 2 use FM 
2 of 4

Synthesis Components

Filters: Alter the harmonic content of a signal 

ADSR envelopes: Attack, Delay, Sustain and Release
 
LFO: Produces sounds whose frequency is at the bottom of the audio arrange

Patch: Sound setting. Uses modular synth cables to connect the different sound modules together

3 of 4

Effect on 20th Cent music

  • 1960s - The Monkees - MOOG synth 
  • Solid - state components
  • self contained
  • Isaa tomita 70s 
  • Influenced Synthpop
  • Kraftwerk 
  • Tangerine Dream
  • David Bowie 1976-1977
  • Human League - Monop Synths
  • 80s Synth inexpensive
  • 80s synth - compact
  • easy for musican to sync synths 
  • 90s- comp software 
  • 90s- DAW 
  • VST & Plugins - emulate sound from hardware
4 of 4

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Music Technology resources:

See all Music Technology resources »