Synthesis
Theory
The lesson begins with extensive amount of theory about synthesis in which I take notes of key words and definitions and document everything taught which I will relay the information into this blog post.
Key Words & Definitions
Analog Subtractive: The amplifier boosts the level of electronic signal coming from the ocsilator so that it is loud enough for performance and recording.
Digital Synthesis this level boost isn’t necessary.
Waveforms
Waveforms are made of…
- Sine
- Frequency
- Time
Waveform Names:
- Sine Wave
- Sawtooth
- Pulse Wave
- Sampling Hold Wave
Filter
Frequency of Human Hearing: 20-20,000 kHz
Resonant:
Gain Staging: To keep the sound clear reduce the gain (volume).
There’s a visual representation of clipping causing sound to distort which indicates if you should gain stage.
Facts about Filter
Low Pass: If you filter the lows out of a sound the perception of the sound becomes higher.
Band Pass: Allows signals between two specific frequencies to pass.
Notch: Taking away sound. Good for when removing frequency’s when mixing. A method is to work in a revised behaviour, sweep till you can find the sound you identify you don’t want to hear then remove.
Logic Pro X
Activity
After learning about the theory of synthesis the lesson takes a change to an activity in which we used Logic Pro X to learn about synthesis in a practical sense.
We used the synth: Retro Synth
Reto synth is a 4 part synthesiser,
- Analog
- Sync
- Table
- FM
todays lesson we are working with analog.
Envelope
ADSR
- Attack
Time Based Parameter. Amount of time it takes to fade in.
- Decay
Time Based Parameter. Amount of the it takes to get to a second volume stage.
- Sustain
Volume Based Parameter.
- Release
Time Based Parameter.
LFO
Low Frequency Oscillator
Sounds so low you can’t hear it but it effects the sound you can hear.
Introducing one sound into another.
Audio Rate: The frequency of the oscillator gets so fast you get its own frequency.
Modulation: Root Term for LFO.
Modulate means Changing.
Pulse Width Modulation:
Eurorack
Eurorack is multiple parts of synthesiser making one.
VCV Rack is a Digital Version.
Synthesiser
Moog is a popular synthesis company.
Example: Moog Modle 10
Key Words & Definitions
Monophonic: Using only one channel of transmission
Polyphonic: Producing or Involving many sounds or voices
Patches: Presets. Garth wants us to avoid using patches (presets).
Cents: Micro-tuning. Which means you can get interesting dispersants.
Vibrato: Is the modulation of the pitch.
Tremolo: Is the modulation of volume.
Filter & AMP Envelopes
- The filter envelopes brings in the filter and lets go of the filter depending on the release.
- The AMP envelope is the master of the filter envelope.
Key Words & Definitions
Cents: Micro-tuning
From Micro-tuning you can get interesting dissonance.
Vibrato is the modulation of the pitch.
Tremolo is modulation of volume.