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Chapter2 The Basic Structure of a Synthesizer
Atypical synthesizer will have a signal
To start, let’s understand the fundamentals.
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| Audio signals |
OSC 1 | LFO 1 | Control signals |
PITCH | MIX/ | FILTER | AMP | |
ENV | MOD | |||
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OSC 2 | LFO 2 | FILTER | AMP | |
ENV | ENV | |||
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OSC Oscillator (➝ P. 9)
This is the basis of the sound, where the waveform and pitch are selected. It is indeed
AMP (➝ P. 13) |
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Sound generated in OSC and processed through the FILTER is amplified here. |
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On analog synthesizers, it is called the VCA(*3). The VCA is used to change |
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the volume (level) of sound signal through changes in voltage. | Chapter | |
LFO Low Frequency Oscillator (➝ P. 15) | 2 | |
The of a | ||
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This is a sound generator capable of producing low frequencies. On analog | BasicStructure Synthesizer | |
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synthesizers, it is also called the LFO(*4). The LFO affects the OSC, FILTER, and |
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AMP individually as it adds modulation. LFO is a “must have” for producing |
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Examples of LFO
| applied to OSC | Vibrato |
LFO | applied to FILTER | WahWah (Growl) |
| applied to AMP | Tremolo |
ENV Envelope Generator (➝ P. 10, 12, 13)
An envelope generator controls the initiation and termination of sounds.
On analog synthesizers, it is also called ENV(*5). Every time you play
the keyboard, ENV affects the volume and timbre on OSC, FILTER, and AMP individually as it processes its
Examples of ENV
| applied to OSC | Pitch becomes higher or lower |
ENV | applied to FILTER | Sound becomes brighter or darker |
| applied to AMP | Sound becomes louder or softer |
the heart and soul of a synthesizer. On analog synthesizers, it is called the VCO(*1). A VCO is a sound generator capable of changing frequency through changes in voltage. The
FILTER (➝ P. 11)
This is where the sound signal generated from the OSC is processed through the emphasis and rejection of a selected frequency range. On analog synthesizers, it is called the VCF(*2). A VCF is used to continuously change the characteristics of a filter (cutoff frequency) through changes in voltage. The
PITCH ENV
pitch
DEPTH
time
FILTER ENV |
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cutoff frequency |
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| S | DEPTH |
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| A D |
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AMP ENV
volume |
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| A | D | time |
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for a specific purpose.
LPF Low Pass Filter |
| HPF High Pass Filter |
| BPF Band Pass Filter |
level | level |
| level | |
partials which are cut | partials which are cut |
| partials which are cut |
frequency | frequency | frequency |
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Analog Synthesizer
Once considered relics, analog synthesizers are attracting attention once again. The simple and
to achieve dynamic sound variation. Moving knobs and faders to create your own unique sound can be a very exciting experience indeed. The
but for any artist or producer who desires a new outlet for creativity expression.
(*1) Voltage Controlled Oscillator (*2) Voltage Controlled Flter (*3) Voltage Controlled Amplifier |
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(*4) Low Frequency Oscillator (*5) Envelope Generator | 6 |