You are here

Acoustic book

The sound synthesis

The construction of sounds by electronic means may be carried out in many different ways.

In a very schematic way, we can distinguish between:


ADDITIVE SYNTHESIS

This type of synthesis simply consists in adding sinusoidal functions. In particular, one can construct complex signals by superimposing harmonics or partial non-harmonics.
The additive synthesis may also vary in function of time, i.e. for example, when the amplitude varies in function of time or even when the spectral composition varies over time.


SUBTRACTIVE SYNTHESIS

The subtractive synthesis is particularly interesting. It starts from signals full of harmonics, and then modulates the intensity of each of these harmonics according appropriate forming structures.


SUMMARY FOR PROCESSING SAMPLED SIGNALS

This category includes synthesis techniques that start from sampling of sounds. For reduction memory reasons, it is then possible to operate a data simplification through a control on the spectrum.


PHYSICAL MODELS SYNTHESIS

In this case, it is created a mathematical model of the physical process of sound reproduction (exciter + resonator).
The more this model is accurate, the more it is able to reproduce even those aspects which constitute the essential but difficult to codify difference between a "real" sound and a "virtual" one (non harmonicity, small phase shifts between sounds partial beginnings, etc.).

Theme by Danetsoft and Danang Probo Sayekti inspired by Maksimer