{"id":337,"date":"2018-04-11T14:07:10","date_gmt":"2018-04-11T14:07:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/?p=337"},"modified":"2021-01-06T16:46:12","modified_gmt":"2021-01-06T16:46:12","slug":"synthesizer-programming-learn-the-basics-in-no-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/index.php\/2018\/04\/11\/synthesizer-programming-learn-the-basics-in-no-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Synthesizer programming: Learn the basics in no time!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The synthesizer has been an important part of popular music since the 1970s.\u00a0 Today, it is omnipresent, and not just in the obvious genres like EDM, R&amp;B &amp; Rap music. \u00a0Styles like alternative rock and indie pop equally make extensive use of this versatile instrument. \u00a0Think of great bands like Queens of the Stone Age, the War on Drugs, Radiohead, Muse, Tame Impala, &#8230;<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Most artists that create music today can use synthesizers to extend their sound palette. \u00a0Synths can bring atmosphere, excitement and variety to music.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever wanted to learn about the many possibilities of this instrument, but didn\u2019t know where to start: you\u2019ve come to the right place!<\/p>\n<h2>A free synthesizer to start within minutes<\/h2>\n<p>For this article, I will use a free synth plugin from Togu Audio Line (TAL): a plugin company that offers some good quality plugins.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The <b>Elek7ro <\/b>is a free analogue style basic synthesizer. \u00a0The synth is no longer supported by the developer, but it sounds great, has all basic features and a simple interface.<\/li>\n<li>The <b>NoiseMaker <\/b>is the newer free synthesizer plugin from TAL. \u00a0It has more features like an effects section and a complex envelope editor. \u00a0This one has limited support as stated on the TAL website.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_338\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-338\" style=\"width: 723px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-338 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-09_TALe7_Overview.png\" alt=\"The TAL-Elek7ro: a simple and free, but fully featured synthesizer plugin\" width=\"723\" height=\"501\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-09_TALe7_Overview.png 723w, https:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-09_TALe7_Overview-300x208.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 723px) 100vw, 723px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-338\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The TAL-Elek7ro synthesizer plugin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I chose the simpler <b>TAL-Elek7ro<\/b> synth for this article. \u00a0It\u2019s not perfect and no longer supported, but it has all the basic features on a compact interface. \u00a0With the basics teached in this article you can learn to work with other synths, like the TAL-NoiseMaker, quickly.<\/p>\n<p>You can follow along and test the concepts explained here. \u00a0Just install the VST plugin into your DAW\u2019s plugin folder.\u00a0 (For Reaper users: this is the \u2018Plugins\u2019 folder in the installation directory. \u00a0You can add subfolders in the plugins folder, Reaper will find the plugins on restart, or with Options &gt; Preferences &gt; Plugins-VST &gt; &#8216;Re-scan&#8217;.)<\/p>\n<p><b>Download link<\/b>: <a href=\"https:\/\/tal-software.com\/products\/tal-elek7ro\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/tal-software.com\/products\/tal-elek7ro<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Read <a href=\"http:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/index.php\/2018\/04\/04\/get-started-with-music-production-in-minutes\/\">this article<\/a> if you want to get started with Cockos&#8217; Reaper DAW.<\/p>\n<p>To add an instance of the synthesizer in Reaper: right-click the track section and choose &#8216;Insert virtual instrument on new track&#8230;&#8217;.\u00a0 Choose the TAL-Elek7ro in the pop-up list.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_342\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-342\" style=\"width: 638px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-342\" src=\"http:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-11_Reaper_insert_virtual_instrument.png\" alt=\"How to insert a virtual instrument in a new Reaper track.\" width=\"638\" height=\"302\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-11_Reaper_insert_virtual_instrument.png 638w, https:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-11_Reaper_insert_virtual_instrument-300x142.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 638px) 100vw, 638px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-342\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">How to insert a virtual instrument in a new Reaper track.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Synthesizer sub-sections<\/h2>\n<p>You will find these or similar button groups in most synths and synth plugins.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Oscillators<\/b>: The controls for the sound sources. \u00a0This particular synth has 4 sound sources: 2 main oscillators, a sub-octave oscillator and a random noise generator.<\/li>\n<li><b>Mixer\/master<\/b>: Control the balance between sound sources and some global settings<\/li>\n<li><b>Filter<\/b>: Shape the sound by altering the frequency content<\/li>\n<li><b>Envelopes<\/b>: Control how a note evolves over time<\/li>\n<li><b>LFOs<\/b>: \u2018Low Frequency Oscillators\u2019 modulate parameters to get more movement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>The Mixer<\/h2>\n<p>Like a small mixing desk, this section allows you to set levels for the separate sound sources.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_344\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-344\" style=\"width: 207px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-344\" src=\"http:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-09_TALe7_Mixer_Osc1.png\" alt=\"TAL-Elek7ro Mixer section\" width=\"207\" height=\"137\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-344\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The mixer section<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The top 4 buttons control the volumes of main sound sources: oscillator 1 &amp; 2.\u00a0 Osc 3 is the \u2018sub\u2019 oscillator and \u2018Noise\u2019 is an extra source that outputs random noise.<\/p>\n<p>The bottom 4 buttons are general controls:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Tune<\/b>: global tuning of the synth<\/li>\n<li><b>Slide<\/b>: Glissando \/ portamento effect: the pitch will \u2018slide\u2019 to the new note instead of instantly playing the chosen pitch. \u00a0Choose the correct portamento option in the small menu to the left of the keyboard.<\/li>\n<li><b>Poly<\/b>: enable this for playing more than one note at the same time<\/li>\n<li><b>Volume<\/b>: Global output volume of the synth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>The Oscillators<\/h2>\n<p>An oscillator is a sound source, producing a waveform.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_341\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-341\" style=\"width: 206px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-341\" src=\"http:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-09_Oscillator1.png\" alt=\"TAL-Elek7ro Oscillator section\" width=\"206\" height=\"135\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-341\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">An oscillator section<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Controls on oscillator 1:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Semi<\/strong>: coarse tuning of the oscillator (in notes\/<em>semi<\/em>tones). \u00a0On other synths this can be called pitch\/tune\/octave\/coarse..<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fine<\/strong>: fine tuning of the oscillator (in cents\/microtones)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Phase<\/strong>: shifts the waveform phase. <span style=\"font-size: small;\">(note: Doesn\u2019t seem to work in this plugin; no need to worry about phase for now..)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>PW<\/strong>: \u2018Pulse width\u2019 only relevant for the \u2018pulse\u2019 waveform.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Basic oscillator wave-forms:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Sine<\/b>: the most basic sound, consists of exactly 1 frequency. \u00a0Soft(low) or thin(high) sound. Think of: telephone sounds, flute-like sound, simple beep sounds.\n<figure id=\"attachment_365\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-365\" style=\"width: 239px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-365\" src=\"http:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-12_SineWave-1.png\" alt=\"The sine wave\" width=\"239\" height=\"103\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-365\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The sine wave<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<li><b>Triangle<\/b>: basic frequency with some added overtones, somewhat richer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_367\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-367\" style=\"width: 237px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-367\" src=\"http:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-12_Triangle.png\" alt=\"The triangle wave\" width=\"237\" height=\"103\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-367\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The triangle wave<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Sawtooth<\/b>: \u2018sharp\u2019 sound, even harmonics\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_368\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-368\" style=\"width: 249px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-368\" src=\"http:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-12_SawtoothWave.png\" alt=\"The sawtooth wave\" width=\"249\" height=\"103\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-368\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The sawtooth wave<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<li><b>Square<\/b>: \u2018full\u2019 sound, odd harmonics (=pulse with 50% pulse width)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_369\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-369\" style=\"width: 243px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-369\" src=\"http:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-12_SquareWave.png\" alt=\"The square wave\" width=\"243\" height=\"104\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-369\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The square wave<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Pulse<\/b>: like a square, but with adjustable width of the pulse. \u00a0On this synth: PW (pulse width) at 0 means 50% (i.e. square), at max value, the pulse is narrow.\u00a0 A narrow pulse wave sounds &#8216;thin&#8217;, a bit oboe-like.\u00a0 Try moving the PW button while a note is playing.\u00a0 It\u2019s an interesting effect!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_370\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-370\" style=\"width: 248px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-370\" src=\"http:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-13_PulseWave.png\" alt=\"The pulse wave\" width=\"248\" height=\"109\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-370\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The pulse wave<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n<p>Test these sounds to get familiar with them. \u00a0Put the \u2018Osc1\u2019 button in the mixer section at max value (clockwise), set Osc2, Osc3 and Noise to 0 (counter-clockwise). \u00a0Now you\u2019re only hearing oscillator 1.\u00a0 With the filter in &#8216;LP&#8217; mode, set the cutoff button to max.<\/p>\n<p>The basic waveforms square and triangle can sound a bit harsh in their pure form, that\u2019s where the <b>filter section<\/b> comes in handy.<\/p>\n<h2>Filter Section<\/h2>\n<p>In my opinion, this is the most fun part of the synthesizer. \u00a0To \u2018soften\u2019 the harsher sounds like the triangle waveform, we can cut off some of the higher frequencies from the sound with a <b>low pass filter<\/b>. \u00a0A filter to remove low frequency content is called <b>high pass filter<\/b>. \u00a0The <b>band pass filter <\/b>cuts off both high and low frequency content.<\/p>\n<p>The filter can also add a \u2018resonance\u2019 boost at the cut-off frequency. \u00a0This results in a \u2018ringing\u2019 sound. The resonance per se is not that exciting, but if you modulate the cut-off frequency (by LFO, envelope or knob -twiddling) the effect becomes interesting.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_347\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-347\" style=\"width: 205px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-347\" src=\"http:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-09_Filter_section.png\" alt=\"A typical filter section\" width=\"205\" height=\"150\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-347\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A typical filter section<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>An overview of the controls in this section:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Filter type<\/b> menu: choose LP, HP or BP function. \u00a0Also choose the \u2018slope\u2019: a higher \u2018dB\u2019 value means a steeper roll-off of the frequency content. \u00a0Here, \u2018dB\u2019 is short for \u2018Decibels per octave\u2019.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_349\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-349\" style=\"width: 341px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-349\" src=\"http:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-11_Filter_LP_Steep.png\" alt=\"Filter slope: steep\" width=\"341\" height=\"130\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-11_Filter_LP_Steep.png 341w, https:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-11_Filter_LP_Steep-300x114.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 341px) 100vw, 341px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-349\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Filter slope: steep<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>The frequency <b>cutoff<\/b>: the point at which the filter <i>cuts off<\/i>.<\/li>\n<li>The filter <b>resonance<\/b>: the amount of frequency boost around the cutoff frequency<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_348\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-348\" style=\"width: 339px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-348 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-11_Filter_LP_Gentle.png\" alt=\"Filter slope: gentle\" width=\"339\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-11_Filter_LP_Gentle.png 339w, https:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-11_Filter_LP_Gentle-300x113.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 339px) 100vw, 339px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-348\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Filter slope: gentle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_350\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-350\" style=\"width: 337px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-350\" src=\"http:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-11_Filter_LP_Reso.png\" alt=\"Low pass filter with resonance\" width=\"337\" height=\"127\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-11_Filter_LP_Reso.png 337w, https:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-11_Filter_LP_Reso-300x113.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 337px) 100vw, 337px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-350\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Low pass filter with resonance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Key<\/b>: short for \u2018keyboard follow\u2019: the cutoff frequency will vary with note pitch. \u00a0Play a higher note, the cutoff will be higher.<\/li>\n<li><b>Contour<\/b>: determines how much the filter cutoff will follow the filter <i>envelope<\/i>, set by the next row of ADSR buttons.<\/li>\n<li><b>ADSR<\/b> envelope (4 knobs): evolution of the cutoff frequency over time. \u00a0See the next section for an explanation of (ADSR) envelopes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Envelopes (ADSR)<\/h2>\n<p>Envelopes modulate the sound of a note over time.\u00a0 Amplitude and filter frequency are typically modulated with an envelope.\u00a0 Usually the envelopes can also be routed to influence different parameters.<\/p>\n<p>ADSR stands for Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_351\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-351\" style=\"width: 205px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-351\" src=\"http:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-11_Envelopes.png\" alt=\"A typical envelope section\" width=\"205\" height=\"149\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-351\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A typical envelope section<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The first row of buttons represents the amplitude (volume) envelope:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Attack<\/b>: the time it takes for a note to reach the full volume after the key is pressed.<\/li>\n<li><b>Decay<\/b>: the time it takes for the volume to drop to <b>\u2018Sustain<\/b>\u2019 level.<\/li>\n<li><b>Sustain<\/b>: the volume the note sustains while the note keeps sounding (key remains pressed).<\/li>\n<li><b>Release<\/b>: the time it takes for the note to die out after the key is released.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The second row of buttons represents a simpler \u2018AD\u2019 (attack &amp; decay) envelope and can be assigned to different destination parameters. \u00a0The envelope value will build up to max and then immediately decay to zero.<\/p>\n<p>Possible target parameters are OSC (pitch), PW (pulse width for pulse waveforms) and FM (frequency modulation).<\/p>\n<p>The ADSR buttons in the filter section control the envelope for frequency cutoff.<\/p>\n<h2>LFO\u2019s<\/h2>\n<p>Like envelopes, LFO\u2019s (Low Frequency Oscillators) are used to modulate sound parameters like volume, pitch, filter frequency, pulse width, \u2026<\/p>\n<p>The frequencies used are usually below the audible spectrum (&lt;20Hz) and result in rhythmic and\/or pulsating modulations.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_352\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-352\" style=\"width: 136px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-352\" src=\"http:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/2018-04-11_LFO_1.png\" alt=\"The LFO section\" width=\"136\" height=\"122\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-352\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The LFO section<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The <b>rate <\/b>button sets the frequency. \u00a0Can go from multiple cycles per second to multiple seconds per cycle. \u00a0<b>Intensity <\/b>determines by how much the target parameter is modulated.<\/p>\n<p>The <b>wave <\/b>menu sets the waveform used. \u00a0Apart from the same forms as used in normal oscillators, on this synth we also have <b>S&amp;H<\/b> (sample and hold) and <b>noise<\/b>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>S&amp;H<\/b>: outputs a new random value each cycle. \u00a0Nice for retro sci-fi sounds when sent to the oscillator pitch or filter frequency (try it!).<\/li>\n<li><b>Noise<\/b>: a continuously changing random value.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>With the <b>sync <\/b>menu, you can set the rate to a fixed value based on the time signature (tempo) used in the DAW. \u00a0\u00bc for fourth notes, \u00bc. for dotted fourths (= a fourth plus an eighth), \u00bc T for fourth \u2018triplets\u2019 (a subdivision in 3 beats on a four beats time signature)<\/p>\n<p>The <b>dest<\/b> menu determines the <i>destination <\/i>parameter that the LFO modulates:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Cutoff<\/b>: modulates the filter cutoff frequency, for that typical &#8216;wobble&#8217; or &#8216;auto-wah&#8217; effect.<\/li>\n<li><b>OSC<\/b>: modulates the oscillator pitch (osc1, osc2, or both) (\u2018vibrato\u2019 effect)<\/li>\n<li><b>PW<\/b>: modulates the pulse width of a \u2018pulse\u2019 type oscillator. \u00a0A cool synth effect, for example for \u2018Reese\u2019 bass or animated lead sounds.<\/li>\n<li><b>FM<\/b>: modulates the intensity of frequency modulation between the 2 oscillators.<\/li>\n<li><b>Pan<\/b>: modulates left-right balance.<\/li>\n<li><b>Volume<\/b>: modulates the output volume: \u2018tremolo\u2019 effect.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Other synthesis types<\/h2>\n<p>The most common synthesis type is subtractive synthesis. \u00a0That\u2019s the type discussed in this article.\u00a0 It\u2019s called subtractive because in most cases a complex waveform is the source and then frequencies are <i>subtracted<\/i> by applying a filter.<\/p>\n<p>A description of some other synthesis types not covered in this article:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>FM synthesis<\/b>: One oscillator\u2019s output controls the frequency of a different oscillator. \u00a0Several oscillators can be combined like this to get a more complex waveform. \u00a0Most synthesizers have some form of FM functionality built in.\u00a0 As does the TAL-Elek7ro.\u00a0 Results in sounds with inharmonic overtones, like metallic or bell sounds.<\/li>\n<li><b>Wave-table synthesis<\/b>: the oscillator is a looped sound wave. \u00a0Putting a different sample in the oscillator changes the character of the oscillator.<\/li>\n<li><b>Granular synthesis<\/b>: The oscillator loops a small section from a longer sound wave.\u00a0 Create evolving timbres by modulating properties of the repeated loop: position, length, playback speed, &#8230;<\/li>\n<li><b>Additive synthesis<\/b>: Combine several basic waveforms, usually sine waves, into a more complex sound.<\/li>\n<li><b>Physical modeling synthesis<\/b>: Simulates acoustical physics processes for realistic or experimental sounds.<\/li>\n<li>\u2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Although using different techniques, most of these other synth types still use ADSR, LFO and filters like discussed in this article.<\/p>\n<h2>Start experimenting!<\/h2>\n<p>Now you know about the most important and common subsections found on synthesizers. \u00a0Start experimenting as the fastest way to learn!\u00a0 You\u2019ll recognize most of these concepts in other synthesizers as well.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;d love to hear about your first steps into the world of synths!\u00a0 Please leave your questions or remarks in the comments section below.\u00a0 Or send me an email ( <a href=\"mailto:wooolfsounds@gmail.com\">wooolfsounds@gmail.com<\/a> )<\/p>\n<p>Thanks for reading and till next time!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The synthesizer has been an important part of popular music since the 1970s.\u00a0 Today, it is omnipresent, and not just in the obvious genres like EDM, R&amp;B &amp; Rap music. \u00a0Styles like alternative rock and indie pop equally make extensive use of this versatile instrument. \u00a0Think of great bands like Queens of the Stone Age, &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wooolfsounds.com\/index.php\/2018\/04\/11\/synthesizer-programming-learn-the-basics-in-no-time\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Synthesizer programming: Learn the basics in no 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