The
process of
creating a new
sound through the use of
existing sounds, and usually
filters or
envelopes. This can be accomplished using
audio software,
hardware, or a combination of both.
Types of
synthesis:
Additive Synthesis
The incorporation of two or more sounds to create a new sound. (e.g. -
Record a
sample of a
hammer pounding in a
nail and add a sample of
rice being emptied into a
pot to the end of it. With some
tweaking, it should sound like a very
dry snare drum.)
Frequency Modulation Synthesis
The use of one sound (the
modulator) to affect the
parameters of another (the
carrier). (e.g. - Use a
drum loop's volume changes to change the
cutoff frequency of a
pad to create a
wobbly sound.)
Granular Synthesis
Similar to Additive Synthesis, but the sounds used in the
composition are extremely short, and generally
unrecognizable on their own.
Physical Modelling
The
creation of a sound based on
controlling the
properties of the sound source. This generally requires specialized software or hardware. (e.g. - A
bass guitar sound
module might allow the
selection of a wood type, string type and gauge, as well as technique (
finger,
pick, or
slap).)
Resynthesis
The
recreation of an existing sound from
scratch. (e.g. - Perhaps you have a sample of a
horn riff that is too
distorted to
clean up. You could use a synthesizer to
remodel the sound and then
program the riff.)
Subtractive Synthesis
The removal of sound(s) from an existing sound. (e.g. -
Delete the
attack of a
bass drum to be left with just the
warm hum that follows the
hit.)
Wavetable Synthesis
The
wavetable is basically a
database of sounds stored on a
sound card, in a
sampler or
synthesizer, or on another
storage device. Generally, this type of synthesis refers to the use of those sounds that can be
seamlessly looped to create longer sounds. (e.g. - A sound card might have a sound in it's wavetable for the initial
strumming of a guitar that plays once and then another for the
sustain of the tone that is looped.)
resources:
Waugh, Ian
Quick Guide To Analogue Synthesis (Tonbridge, U.K.: PC Publishing, 2000)5-7.