Beyond
Basic Sound Synthesis

Part 1

Part One of Newslink's Advanced Synthesizer Course by David Marshall

Newslink's two-part introduction to analogue synthesis - Basic Synthesis - concentrated on the basic elements of sound synthesis. The model was a monophonic system using a single oscillator. Beyond Basic Synthesis covers some of the historical developments from this starting point: greater complexity of sound; polyphonic synthesizers and the rise of digital technology; and the introduction of preset and programmable synths.

Complex waveforms
The basic waveform can be modified in pitch (via the keyboard), in harmonic content (via the Filter section and Resonance or Emphasis control) and in amplitude or volume. Further alteration can be introduced via an Envelope Generator (which alters any or all of these elements with respect to time) and by use of controls such as Pitch Bend etc.

To create more complex tones, multiple oscillator systems can be used, the signals from these oscillators being mixed together in a straightforward audio mixer before passing on to the filter and amplifier banks for further treatment. Other variations to the basic waveform include modulation of Pitch, Amplifier, Filter and Pulse Width by additional 'Low Frequency Oscillators, to produce Vibrato, Tremolo, Wah-Wah and Chorus effects.

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More extreme variations are possible when multi-oscillator synthesizers modulate the waveform through interaction. The most commonly used method is Ring Modulation. A simple Ring Modulator involves two input frequencies provided by two oscillators, and a single output. The Ring Modulator (RM) provides a 'sum and difference' compound of the two inputs. For example if the two oscillators are producing frequencies of 440Hz (A4) and 660Hz (E5) then the output of the RM will produce frequencies of 660 - 440 = 220Hz (A3) and 660 + 440 = 1100Hz (C#6). The output should not include the original frequencies.

In this example the difference (220Hz) provides the fundamental tone while the sum (1100Hz) is an overtone equivalent to the 5th Harmonic; both frequencies lie within a harmonic series and the result does not sound particularly electronic. By varying the input frequencies non-harmonic relationships can be achieved. The aural effect of this is to produce bell-like and metallic effects, and this was the main usage of Ring Modulation in early synthesis.

For more outrageous effects the input signals can also be complex tones rather than simple sine waves. With the rise in popularity of metallic sounds in the last few years Ring Modulation, which lost its appeal for a while and disappeared as an option on many synths, is making a comeback (eg Roland's LA Synthesis method).

Early polyphony
Early synthesizers, such as the MiniMoog, the ARP Odyssey and the Roland SH-101, were monophonic, that is, they could only play one note at a time, like a flute or a human voice. To increase the number of notes available at one time, and so produce chords, requires additional instruments. Classical composers write for flute sections or choirs, naturally incurring the expense of extra manpower, the same applies to synthesizers. Although only one keyboard and one player is required, a polyphonic analogue synthesizer needs an extra Oscillator, Filter and Amplifier for each additional note of polyphony. Early polyphonic synthesizers, such as the Roland Jupiter 4 and the PolyMoog Synth, limited the number of available polyphonic notes to four, six or eight to keep costs relatively low; even so they were luxury items. When more notes are played than can be handled by the instrument, systems like First Note and Last Note Priority operate - the names referring to the method by which a synthesizer decides which notes to sound when the number of keys depressed exceeds its polyphony.

Digital oscillators
Analogue 'Voltage Controlled Oscillators' (VCOs) have some fundamental problems. They are liable to drift out of tune, requiring periodic retuning by an engineer; temporary tuning drift is caused by temperature fluctuations - synthesizers with VCOs must be switched on well before a gig (especially in an open-air venue) in order for them to be in tune by the time it starts. Space is also a constraint. Analogue circuitry is relatively bulky and a polyphonic synthesizer requires several voice modules - the result is an increase in size and weight.

With the advent of cheaper digital technology, and the miniaturisation made possible by the micro-processor, the Digital Oscillator was developed. As well as giving tuning stability, it is much more space-effective. Its biggest advantage, however, is in cost. Using DCOs (Digitally Controlled Oscillators) a 6-voice polyphonic synthesizer can be produced for a price similar to that for a twin VCO model. DCOs are found on synths such as Roland Junos and JXs and the Korg Poly 61.

Programmability
Look at a synthesizer today and compare it with a unit from the '60s or '70s and the most striking physical change is the reduction in the number of front panel controls. Early synthesizers, as well as being mostly monophonic and analogue, were also known as 'fully variables'. Each parameter of the sound (cut-off point, envelope etc) had a separate slider or switch control, allowing the front panel setting to control the sound directly. This gave the user precise and instant access to sound editing. However, to select another sound could mean changing the entire panel setting - making this system difficult for live use. Instruments that used this system included the Roland SH 101 and Juno 6, the MiniMoog and the Yamaha CS-01.

A step forward for the performer came with pre-set machines. These could call up factory preset sounds (usually imitations of acoustic instruments) at the touch of a button. With the advance in microprocessors came the technology to create a cost-effective fully variable machine with a user memory. These 'programmable synthesizers' first appeared in the late 70s. They include such units as the Roland Jupiter 8 and Juno 60 the Oberheim and the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5.

In these synthesizers, when the 'write' button is pressed the processor scans the front panel controls making a note of the settings and storing these in the designated memory location. The user can then recall at the push of a button or two any collection of panel settings. An interesting 'half-way house' is the Yamaha CS-80. Its 'memory' consists of four small panels, each a reproduction in miniature of the main control panel. Four sounds can therefore be stored by setting these mini panels to the desired values.

With all modern synthesizers the micro-processor rules supreme. Gone are the one slider per parameter panels. Now all parameters are controlled by a handful of sliders. The values of each parameter are shown on an LCD or LED display and they can be stepped through using cursor keys. While this makes the instrument more attractive (its clean lines uncluttered by knobs and sliders) it causes undeniable problems for programmers. The trend has been to drift steadily towards the use of factory presets and a growth in third party software houses, who devise and market alternative sounds to be accessed via RAM or ROM card slots on the synths.

It is a constant source of complaint (especially from those who have grown up with analogue synthesis) that players seem not to program their own sounds any more - in fact a new breed of 'synthesizer programmer' has sprung up to design sounds for busy session musicians.
Naturally there are two sides to the argument. Any manufacturer will point out that costs of digital synthesizers are as low as they are only because of the reduction in the numbers of knobs and sliders. Compare the weight of a 61-note synth from the '70s with one from the late '80s and you will realise another advantage of controls being software- as opposed to hardware-based.

One solution to this problem may be in add-on optional 'knobs and sliders' units for easier programming; the performer can customise and store sounds before a gig and still have a stylish and uncluttered stage set-up. Where this option is unavailable, software houses have been quick to fill the gap with computer- based alternatives. Never satisfied, of course, is the performer who wants the latest, cheapest and most convenient technology plus comprehensive real-time editing.

So far these articles have been almost totally concerned with Analogue or Analogue/ Digital Subtractive Synthesis. Beyond Basic Synthesis Part 2, in your next edition of Roland Newslink, will examine some different forms of synthesis, and explain how, combined with the principles of analogue subtractive synthesis already discussed, they have resulted in the current generation of synthesizers.

Basic Synthesis 1 | Basic Synthesis 2 | Advanced Synthesis 1 | Advanced Synthesis 2| Sampling 1 | Sampling 2