SynthesizersSynthesizers

Robby ThomenRobby Thomen

How Analogues WorkHow Analogues Work

Generally a system of signal oscillators Generally a system of signal oscillators (sine, square, triangle waveforms)(sine, square, triangle waveforms)

Manipulates a voltage signal with varying Manipulates a voltage signal with varying electronics to produce different waveformselectronics to produce different waveforms

How Digitals WorkHow Digitals Work

Models voltage signal after a harmonic Models voltage signal after a harmonic function using microprocessors.function using microprocessors.

Fourier and Bessel functions are a popular Fourier and Bessel functions are a popular choice for modelingchoice for modeling

How Samplers workHow Samplers work

Playback prerecorded audio stored in Playback prerecorded audio stored in RAMRAM

Also stores waveforms which can be Also stores waveforms which can be superimposed for different types of superimposed for different types of sounds. sounds.

Impact on music historyImpact on music history

Synthesizers now have their own super-Synthesizers now have their own super-genregenre

Popular artists such as Herbie Hancock, Popular artists such as Herbie Hancock, Kraftwerk, Daft Punk, Mannheim Kraftwerk, Daft Punk, Mannheim Steamroller, Raymond Scott use ‘em.Steamroller, Raymond Scott use ‘em.

Almost all modern film scoresAlmost all modern film scores

use synthesizersuse synthesizers

The Vocoder and TalkboxThe Vocoder and Talkbox

Examines vocal carrier frequency and Examines vocal carrier frequency and measures how its spectral characteristics measures how its spectral characteristics are changed over time.are changed over time.

Musically, they are most used to create Musically, they are most used to create “robotic voices”“robotic voices”

Though first used with Though first used with guitars, many artists guitars, many artists prefer synthesizers…prefer synthesizers…

ResourcesResources

http://www.vintagesynth.comhttp://www.vintagesynth.com

http://www.blamepro.com/talkbox.htmhttp://www.blamepro.com/talkbox.htm

http://www.musiciansfriend.com http://www.musiciansfriend.com

http://ed.fnal.gov/linc/spring96/http://ed.fnal.gov/linc/spring96/projects_linc2/Allmusic/Technology/projects_linc2/Allmusic/Technology/synthesizers.htmlsynthesizers.html