Synthesizer: Difference between revisions

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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 ==<!-- replace links to Wikipedia by wikilinks when the article exists -->
In electronic music synthesizers, the main techniques to create and shape sound are:
=== Hardware ===
* [[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).
* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Additive_synthesis Additive synthesis]] builds complex sounds by adding together simpler waveforms, typically sine waves (e.g., [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammond_organ Hammond organ]).
* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency_modulation_synthesis 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]).
* [[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]).
* [[Granularhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase_distortion_synthesis Phase distortion synthesis]] splitsis soundsimilar intoto smallFM grainssynthesis andbut manipulatesuses themdifferent tophase createmodulation new texturestechniques (e.g., Xenakis' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UPICCasio_CZ_synthesizers Casio UPICCZ] systemseries).
=== Software ===
* [[Physical modeling]] simulates the physical properties of musical instruments using mathematical models (e.g., Yamaha VL1).
* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sample-based_synthesis 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).
* [[Phasehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granular_synthesis distortionGranular ]synthesis] issplits similarsound tointo FMsmall synthesisgrains butand usesmanipulates differentthem phaseto create modulationnew techniquestextures (e.g., Xenakis' [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casio_CZ_synthesizers CasioUPIC CZUPIC] seriessystem).
* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_modelling_synthesis Physical modeling]modelling synthesis] simulates the physical properties of musical instruments using mathematical models (e.g., Yamaha VL1).
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_modeling_synthesizer Analog modeling synthesis] emulates the sound and behavior of vintage analog synthesizers using digital algorithms (e.g., [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nord_Lead Clavia Nord Lead]).
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_arithmetic_synthesis Linear arithmetic synthesis] combines sampled attack transients with synthesized sustain portions to create complex sounds (e.g., [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_D-50 Roland D-50]).
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_waveguide_synthesis Vector synthesis] blends multiple sound sources dynamically using a joystick or vector mixer to create evolving timbres (e.g., [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korg_Wavestation Korg Wavestation]).
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_waveguide_synthesis Digital waveguide synthesis] uses mathematical models to simulate the propagation of waves through a medium, often used to replicate the sounds of string and wind instruments (e.g., [[Mutable Instruments Elements]] and [[Mutable Instruments Rings]]).
 
== See also ==
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