| A synthesizer is an electronic musical instrument | | | | Sub harmonic synthesis |
| designed to produce electronically generated | | | | The start of the analog synthesizer era |
| sound, using techniques such as additive, | | | | The first electric musical synthesizer was invented |
| subtractive, FM, physical modeling synthesis, or | | | | in 1876 by Elisa Gray. Early synthesizers used |
| phase distortion. In most conventional | | | | technology derived from electronic analog |
| synthesizers, recordings of real instruments can | | | | computers, laboratory test equipment, and early |
| be considered to be composed of several | | | | electronic musical instruments. |
| components for purposes of resynthesis. To | | | | Homemade synthesizers |
| know the secrets of a synthesizer, one should | | | | During the late 1970s and early 1980s, it became |
| start with the basics of a synthesizer. | | | | relatively easy for one to build their own |
| Simple basics of understanding a synthesizer | | | | synthesizer. Designs were published in hobby |
| Synthesizers create sounds through direct | | | | electronics magazines and complete kits were |
| manipulation of electrical voltages, mathematical | | | | supplied by some companies. This overall |
| manipulation of discrete values using computers or | | | | marketing became one of the secrets of a |
| by a combination of both methods. The | | | | synthesizer becoming popular. |
| synthesized sound is contrasted with recording of | | | | Electronic organs vs. synthesizers |
| natural sound, where the mechanical energy of a | | | | In modern electronic organs, electronic oscillators |
| sound wave is transformed into a signal which will | | | | serve to produce the sine waves. Organs tend to |
| then be converted back to mechanical energy on | | | | use fairly simple formant filters to effect changes |
| playback To know the secrets of a synthesizer | | | | to the oscillator tone automation and modulation |
| we must know some of the basics of | | | | tend to be limited to simple vibrato. Whereas, |
| synthesizers. These may be categorized as | | | | analog synthesizers produce their sound using |
| follows | | | | subtractive synthesis. In this method, a waveform |
| Sound basics | | | | rich in overtones, usually a saw-tooth or pulse |
| When natural tonal instruments' sounds are | | | | wave, is produced by an oscillator. |
| analyzed in the frequency domain, the spectra of | | | | Secrets of a synthesizer |
| tonal instruments exhibit amplitude peaks at the | | | | While buying synthesizers one should look for |
| harmonics. These harmonics' frequencies are | | | | those little secrets of a synthesizer about the |
| primarily located close to the integer multiples of | | | | instrument. This will help to make the right choice |
| the tone's fundamental frequency. | | | | and save money as well. |
| Overview of popular synthesis methods | | | | First if the synthesizer is required for studio |
| One of the easiest synthesis methods is to | | | | works then the professionals may go for a |
| record a real instrument as a digitized waveform, | | | | modular one. Modular synthesizers are one of the |
| and then play back its recordings at different | | | | oldest types of synthesizers around, as well as |
| speeds to produce different tones. This is one of | | | | being one of the most expensive and interesting. |
| the open secrets of a synthesizer now-a-days. | | | | These types are not for amateur artists and it is |
| Synthesizer basics | | | | not portable. |
| There are two major kinds of synthesizers, | | | | For all other musicians Digital synthesizers are |
| analog and digital. There are also many different | | | | more accepted instrument. The digital |
| kinds of synthesis methods, each applicable to | | | | synthesizers have a completely different sound |
| both analog and digital synthesizer. These are | | | | clarity, since their internal sounds are stored in |
| Subtractive synthesis | | | | memory as arrays of numbers. The first |
| Additive synthesis | | | | affordable digital synthesizer to reach the masses |
| Granular synthesis | | | | was the Yamaha DX7. |
| Wavetable synthesis | | | | There may be numerous synthesizers available in |
| Frequency modulation synthesis | | | | the market, but to choose the right one which |
| Phase distortion synthesis | | | | fits in your purpose and budget will make it worth |
| Physical modeling synthesis | | | | buying. |
| Sampling | | | | |