Synthesisers

Question 1

What is a synthesiser

Answer 1

A synthesiser is an electronic sound generator capable of creating and manipulating synthetic sounds.

Question 2

What is a oscillator

Answer 2

• The oscillator generates and initial sound at a pitch, and allows you to choose a wave shape.
• it first allows you to select an octave
• it also has a coarse tuning - sets the pitch in semitones
• many synthesisers have more than one oscillator
• also has a fine tuning button which can be used to slightly detune multiple oscillators and create a chorus like effect

Question 3

What is a filter

Answer 3

A filter removes frequencies from the initial signal to shape the sound

Question 4

What is an envelope generator

Answer 4

It can be used to control the oscillator, filter, and/or amp

Question 5

What are the four stages of an envelope

Answer 5

ADSR
- attack
- sustain
- decay
- release

Question 6

What does attack mean on a envelope

Answer 6

The time taken for the parameter to increase from 0 to the max level

Question 7

What does decay mean on a envelope

Answer 7

The time taken for the parameter to decrease to the sustain level

Question 8

What does sustain mean in a envelope

Answer 8

The level at which the parameter is held whilst the key remains pressed

Question 9

What does release mean on a envelope

Answer 9

The time taken from the parameter to decrease to 0 once the key is released

Question 10

What does rate do on a LFO

Answer 10

Speed at which the modulation takes place, can be either be synced to a note value in DAW or given a value

Question 11

What does depth do in LFO

Answer 11

How much the modulation affects the assigned elements of the synthesiser, the greater the depth the wider the range of values

Question 12

List the benefits of software synthesis

Answer 12

• can be automated, MIDI controlled and easily sequenced
• DAWs with a global temp allow you to easily sync LFO to note value
• better signal to noise ration
• wide variety of pre sets
• can create your own presents and share on the internet

Question 13

List the benefits of analogue synthesisers

Answer 13

• has a warmer sound compared to the ‘harsh’ or ‘sterile’ digital sounds - this is due to the flaws of analogue technology
• you music can stand out from the crowd - less reliant on presents and sound others are using
• has a hands on interface