SOUND
SYNTHESIS
Synthesis Types
Additive
Combines sine waves of various frequencies
and amplitudes to create complex waveshapes
Synthesis Types
Subtractive (Analog)
Harmonically rich waveforms use filtering to
selectively add & remove harmonics
dynamically using Control Voltages
Analog Subtractive Synthesis
Dr. Robert A. Moog
Don Buchla
Sound Fundamentals
PITCH Frequency (Rate)
AMPLITUDE Volume
TIMBRE Sound Quality (Harmonic Content)
Fundamental Circuits
PITCH VCO Voltage Controlled Oscillator
AMPLITUDE VCA Voltage Controlled Amplifier
TIMBRE VCF Voltage Controlled Filter
Oscillator
Sound Source
Waveform
“Sampled” Sound
Oscillator Parameters
Waveform
Octave
Pitch/Tuning
Shape
Basic Waveforms - Sine
Fundamental Harmonic
Basic Waveforms - Triangle
Odd Harmonics
Basic Waveforms - Square
Odd Harmonics (Higher Proportion)
Basic Waveforms - Pulse
Pulse Width (%) alters Harmonics
Basic Waveforms - Sawtooth
Odd & Even Harmonics
Basic Waveforms - Noise
Random Harmonics
Filter
Subtracts/Adds Frequency Content
Multiple Filter Types
“Equalizer”
Filter Parameters
Filter Type & Slope
Cutoff Frequency
Resonance
Key Tracking
Low Pass Filter
Cutoff Frequency (Fc)
0 dB
∞
20 Hz 20 kHz
High Pass Filter
0 dB
∞
20 Hz 20 kHz
Band Pass Filter
0 dB
∞
20 Hz 20 kHz
Notch (Band Reject) Filter
0 dB
∞
20 Hz 20 kHz
Filter Resonance
0 dB
∞
20 Hz 20 kHz
Filter Slope
f 2f
0 dB
– 6 dB
LP 6
measured in dB/octave
∞
20 Hz 20 kHz
Filter Slope
f 2f
0 dB
LP 12 – 12 dB
∞
20 Hz 20 kHz
Filter Slope
0 dB
LP 24
∞
20 Hz 20 kHz
Filter Slope
0 dB
LP 48
∞
20 Hz 20 kHz
Filter Slope
0 dB
6 dB/oct.
12
24
48
∞
20 Hz 20 kHz
Voltage Controlled Amplifier
Voltage Controlled Variable Gain Stage
Voltage Controlled Amplifier
CV
EG/Gate
AUDIO VCA AUDIO
Voltage Controlled Amplifier
CV
EG/Gate
AUDIO VCA AUDIO
Multiplier
CV=0: no audio
CV=1: audio passes
Modifiers & Modulation
Modifiers
LFO’s and Envelopes are most common
Modify (Modulate) VC Circuits
Use Control Voltage. Not audible
Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO)
LFO Human Hearing
.01 Hz 20 Hz 20 kHz
Modulates pitch, amplitude, or filter
Allows periodic/cyclic changes to the sound
LFO Parameters
Waveform
Rate (Speed)
Depth/Intensity/Amount
Envelope Generator (ADSR)
A circuit which generates a dynamic contour based on
the trigger and release of a note.
Attack
Time
Decay Sustain Release
Time Level Time
A D S R
NOTE ON NOTE OFF
Envelope Generator Examples
Note On Note Off
Attack Decay Sustain Release
Envelope Generator Examples
Note On Note Off
Attack Decay Sustain Release
Envelope Generator Examples
Note On Note Off
Attack Decay Sustain Release
Envelope Generator Examples
Note On Note Off
Attack Decay Sustain Release
Envelope Generator Examples
Note On Note Off
Attack Decay Sustain Release
Envelope Generator Variations
Modulation
Modifying the value of one circuit using another circuit
(through Control Voltage).
Source
Depth
Destination
Modulation Routing
Sources Destinations
Keyboard Oscillator Pitch
Velocity Wave Shape (PW)
Modulation Wheel Filter Cutoff
Low Frequency Oscillator Volume
Envelope Generator Pan
LFO Modulations
LFO Modulating VCO = ?
Vibrato
LFO Modulating VCA = ?
Tremolo
LFO Modulating VCF = ‘Wah?Wah’
Pitch Pitch
Voltage Bend
VCO Wheel
VCF
EG LFO
VCA
Mod.
Control Voltage
Wheel
Audio
Moog System 55 Modular
Buchla 200e Modular
Modcan Modular
Modular Systems
ARP 2600 Semi-Modular
Minimoog
Sequential Circuits Prophet 5
Roland Juno 106
Synthesis Types
FM (Frequency Modulation)
A simple waveform’s pitch (carrier) is modulated
by another waveform (modulator)
Analog vs Digital
Synthesis Types
Wavetable
Contains a set of single cycle waveforms.
This can be modulated to dynamically
change the “pointer” in the table.
Wavetable “Scanning”
WAVETABLE
“INDEX”
MODULATION
INPUT
Synthesis Types
PCM (Pulse Code Modulation)
Small sound recordings are encoded into
ROM and act as waveforms using subtractive
style synthesis controls.
Pulse Code Modulation (PCM)
LFOs
PCM
DCF DCA
DCO
EGs
Digital PCM Samples replace standard waveforms
Synthesis Types
Physical Modeling
Advanced computer algorithms recreate the
physical properties of acoustic instruments
Physical Modeling
WAVE
OBJECT PICKUPS FILTER DELAY EQ
SHAPER
Synthesis Types
Analog Modeling
Analog subtractive synthesis recreated
through computer software algorithms
Clavia Nord Lead
Roland SH-201
Access Virus TI
Software Synths...
AU Install
Synth Discussion
Due next lecture
