Synthesizer voice: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "A '''synthesizer voice''' is an individual audio circuit path that produces an individual sound. == Signal flow == Even with multiple oscillators, a typical monophonic synthesizer has a single voice and only one key at a time can be used to sound a note. On a polyphonic synthesizer, as many keys will sound simultaneously as the instrument has voices.<ref name="basics">''Synthesizer Basics'' edited by Brent Hurtig, GPI Publications (Hal Leonard Pubs), 1984, {{ISBN|0-8818...")
 
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A '''synthesizer voice''' is an individual audio circuit path that produces an individual sound.
[[File:Block diagram of a very basic synth voice.svg|thumb|right|350px|The block diagram for a very basic synth voice. Inputs on the left, outputs on the right and control inputs below.]]A '''synthesizer voice''' is an individual audio circuit path that produces an individual sound.


== Signal flow ==
== Signal flow ==

Revision as of 21:15, 19 July 2022

The block diagram for a very basic synth voice. Inputs on the left, outputs on the right and control inputs below.

A synthesizer voice is an individual audio circuit path that produces an individual sound.

Signal flow

Even with multiple oscillators, a typical monophonic synthesizer has a single voice and only one key at a time can be used to sound a note. On a polyphonic synthesizer, as many keys will sound simultaneously as the instrument has voices.[1]

The simplest standard voice is made up of a VCO, a VCF, a VCA and the envelope generator to give the note timbre and dynamics (changes in loudness). In a polyphonic synthesizer, each voice is a parallel signal path with its own oscillator, amplifier and filter. A paraphonic synthesizer plays several notes at once, however they all go to a single filter.[1][2][3]

Sometimes voice is also used to refer to a patch or a preset instrument sound.[1][4]

Rather than have a voice for each key, a polyphonic synth's keyboard will allocate a voice to whichever key is pressed. Exceeding the maximum polyphony results in voices cutting out abruptly.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c Synthesizer Basics edited by Brent Hurtig, GPI Publications (Hal Leonard Pubs), 1984, ISBN 0-88188-714-5, p. 121
  2. ^ The complete synthesizer by David Crombie, Omnibus Press, 1982, ISBN 0711900566, p. 15
  3. ^ The new complete synthesizer by David Crombie, Omnibus Press, 1986, ISBN 0711907013, pp. 23-26
  4. ^ a b Roland - Digital pianos FAQ