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When synthesizers first entered the underground music scene in the early 1960s, constructing them was difficult. Knowledge of engineering specific to making sound waves was scarce and components were not ideal for making music. Furthermore, people didn't have references - they didn't know what they wanted to build. In the 21st century, however, synthesizer design is commonplace and many sources of information from people to websites share the basic as well as the secrets. It's even possible to construct playable synthesizer instruments in your own home with less than $100 in parts.
== Synthesis techniques ==<!-- this section requires verification -->
SynthesisIn electronic music synthesizers the main techniques to create and shape sound in electronic music. are:
* [[Subtractive synthesis]] starts with a rich sound wave and subtracts frequencies using filters (e.g., [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moog_synthesizer Moog synthesizer]s).
=== Subtractive Synthesis ===
Starts* with[[Additive asynthesis]] richbuilds soundcomplex wavesounds andby subtractsadding together simpler waveforms, frequenciestypically usingsine filterswaves (e.g., [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moog_synthesizerHammond_organ MoogHammond synthesizerorgan]s).
* [[FM synthesis]] is the modulation of one waveform by another to create complex harmonic content (e.g., [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_DX7 Yamaha DX7]).
Uses* [[Wavetable synthesis]] uses tables of pre-recorded waveforms and allows smooth transitions between them (e.g., [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PPG_Wave PPG Wave]). ▼=== Additive Synthesis ===
Builds* complex[[Granular soundssynthesis]] bysplits addingsound togetherinto simplersmall waveforms,grains typicallyand sinemanipulates wavesthem to create new textures (e.g., Xenakis' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammond_organUPIC Hammond organUPIC] system).
Simulates* [[Physical modeling]] simulates the physical properties of musical instruments using mathematical models (e.g., Yamaha VL1). ▼
Uses* [[Sample-based synthesis]] uses recorded samples of real instruments or sounds, which can be manipulated (e.g., [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akai_MPC Akai MPC] series). ▼=== FM Synthesis ===
Modulates* one[[Phase waveformdistortion ]] withis anothersimilar to createFM complexsynthesis harmonicbut contentuses different phase modulation techniques (e.g., [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_DX7Casio_CZ_synthesizers YamahaCasio DX7CZ] series).
=== Wavetable Synthesis ===
▲Uses tables of pre-recorded waveforms and allows smooth transitions between them (e.g., [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PPG_Wave PPG Wave]).
=== Granular Synthesis ===
Splits sound into small grains and manipulates them to create new textures (e.g., Xenakis' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UPIC UPIC] system).
=== Physical Modeling ===
▲Simulates the physical properties of musical instruments using mathematical models (e.g., Yamaha VL1).
=== Sample-based Synthesis ===
▲Uses recorded samples of real instruments or sounds, which can be manipulated (e.g., [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akai_MPC Akai MPC] series).
=== Phase Distortion ===
Similar to FM synthesis but uses different phase modulation techniques (e.g., [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casio_CZ_synthesizers Casio CZ] series).
== See also ==
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