EM+Unit+3


 * INVESTIGATIVE INTRO**


 * Answer these questions in UNIT THREE**


 * In what way are these musical instruments similar?**

They (if adjusted correctly) can sound very similar, they have many controls in common, and they allow you to adjust the same aspects of the synthesizer. Oscillator, low frequency oscillator, envelope, and amplifier.
 * What controls are common to them?**
 * Can you determine the function of each one of the controls? List and describe if possible.**

Oscillator: Adjusts the waveforms and creates sound signals.

Low frequency oscillator: Adjusts the low frequency sound signals.

Envelope: Adjusts the physical aspects of the actually sound (attack, delay, sustain, release, etc).

Amplifier: Primarily adjusts the sound level/loudness of a sound.

Create-Change-Amplify

-something that generates a sound: Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) creates a waveform -something that can change the sound: Voltage Controlled Filter (VCF) the filter rounds down the wave to the requested amount of brilliance -something that can make the sound loud enough to be heard: Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA) the wave is amplified by the amplifier to the requested sound level

Envelope is a tool to shape the sound (attack, decay, sustain, release) The envelope is a control signal that can applied to various aspects of a synth sound, such as pitch, filter cutoff frequency, and overall amplitude

Envelope generators are used to help the synthesizer shape the sounds. They allow you to alter sounds by sending a varying control signal to the synth's VCA and VCF.

"LFO" means Low Frequency Oscillator. These oscillator are not used to make sounds by themselves; they add a low frequency to one of the three main modules- VCO, VCF, VCA. SIMPLY: Add a second wave to an existing sound and get an interesting effect.

Synthesizer technology is broken up into two categories: "analog" and "digital"

A typical analog synthesizer consists of: keyboard, at least 2 oscillators, a low frequency oscillator (LFO), 2 envelope generators, a filter, voltage control amplifier (VCA)

When a key is depressed on the keyboard, a pitch control signal is sent to the oscillators (VCO-Voltage Control Oscillator) An electric device that creates a frequency by a voltage input, altering the voltage-alters the produced pitch, provides simple source waveforms simultaneously, oscillator produces saw tooth and then other waveforms derived rectify saw-triangle hard clip saw-square soft clip triangle-sine

The oscillator generates the desired frequency and wave form and then routes an audio signal to the Voltage Control Filter (VCF) Waveforms can be created: sine, triangle, pulse, sawtooth

The keyboard has also sent control signals to another part of the synthesizer, the envelope generators There are usually 2 envelope generators in a synthesizer. One controls the VCF and the other the VCA

The trigger sends a message to the generators telling them a key has been pressed

High pass, low pass, band pass

Modulation is the process of sending a programmed signal to a sound source so as to change the character of that sound

VCA-a device that controls amplitude

LFO-a low frequency generator that can be added to any one of the three modules and creates a whole different sound

after touch-a type of control data generator by pressing down on one or more keys on a synthesizer keyboard after they have reached and are resting on the keys

Robert Mooge-he started building all this stuff in the 1960's

Modular Synthesizer- a form of synthesizer that is comprised of a number of primarily independent units (has to be stuck together) Normalled Synthesizer-this type of synthesizer has modules already connected together in a useful way (already connected together, located in one box)

Patch each one of these sound source devices and explore the functionality of each (These function much like the VCO) **Provide a brief description in your notes on each module** Arpeggiator: Plays arpeggios of different notes/chords with different options (different wave types, tuning, etc). Baseline: Plays a bassline (very electronic) with different adjustments (like LFO, resonance, accent, etc) Bubble Blower: Plays and is able to modify random noises from audio loops. Drums: Able to create beats out of drum loops and edit them and their position, like fruity loops. 10 Harmonics: Plays a frequency and is able to control the volume of the fundamental and overtones Loop Player: Loops a selected audio file of your choice Risset Tones: The acoustic illusion of a gliding tone that seems to continuously move up and down in one direction, but is created by mixing a number of sine wave oscillators together with an adjustable rate, spacing, and range. Test Generator : frequencies plays white noise or a sign wave with adjustable frequencies.
 * Research: **

**P****atch each one of these sound source devices and explore the functionality of each (These function much like the VCF)** **Provide a brief description in your notes on each module** **5Combs: A comb filter that creates delay line with feedback and you can adjust frequency, volume, decay, time, and overall volume.** **MParaEQ: A mono EQ that cuts or boosts certain frequencies (Hi, 2 Mid, Low)** **Nebuliser: Randomly chops up and scrambles audio with random filtering to create watery sounds (many different controls).** **ReissetFilters: Applies continuously ascending or descending sweeping bandpass filters (illusion of a gliding tone)** **Sounth Pole: A filtering device that can produce effects based on pattern or input, with 3 ADSR envelopes and 2 LFO's** **SParaEQ:** **A stereo EQ that cuts or boosts certain frequencies (Hi, 2 Mid, Low)**

**Do the Same for the Effects that are provided in AUDIO MULCH** Canon Looper: Records and loops tracks in multiple layers Digi Grunge: Applies distortion and clipping through bid depth quantization and sample rate decimation aliasing DLGranulator: Randomly chops up and scrambles sound to create different textures (many controls) Flanger: Creates a flanger, sweeping-whooshing effect with a metallic ringing sound (uses a comb filter frequency modulated by a sine wave) with range, rate, feedback, and wet/dry mix controls Frequency Shifter: Shifts harmonics to create metallic sounds or sweeping phaser like effects (controls rate and wet/dry mix) Live Looper: Captures and controls up to 16 tracks of looping sound (can record, different number of options for each stoping and starting tracks) Nasty Reverb: Provides a lot of reverb with a wet/dry mix control and a reverb time control Phaser: Creates a sweeping, whooshing filter effect with a hollow, resonant sound (controls range, rate, feedback, depth) PulseComb: Creates a pulse-like chopping on sound input and a pitch shifting effect Ring AM: Adds shifted frequencies, and can produce metallic sounds. (ring and amplitude modulation) SDelay: Applies stereo delaays, repetitive echo, and stereo ping-pong effects Shaper: Adds distortion with direct control over distortion harmonics SSpat: Creates the illusion of sound moving in space in looped paths using panning and doppler shift

__**Project:**__



media type="file" key="chuck song.wav" width="300" height="50"




 * Hayden Drums Ableton:**

media type="file" key="hayden drums ableton 1.aif" width="300" height="50"

Methods in which the [|waveform] of the [|sound] to be generated is computed by using a [|mathematical model], being a set of [|equations] and [|algorithms] to simulate a physical source of sound, usually a [|musical instrument]. Physical Modeling (PhM) Synthesis starts from mathematical models of the acoustics of instrumental sound production, and attempts to create realistic sounds through these models. This approach is also referred to as //synthesis by rule//, //synthesis from first principles//, and //virtual acoustics//. A fundamental principle of PhM synthesis is the interaction between an exciter and a resonator. Excitation is an action that causes vibration, and resonance is the response of the body of an instrument to the excitation vibration. The body acts as a time-varying filter applied to the excitation signal. Basically, it is using equations to generate waveforms and sounds.
 * Physical Modeling Synthesis:**

media type="youtube" key="8_gILr-OHt4?version=3" height="315" width="560"

media type="youtube" key="PvCeGSYhI1U?version=3" height="315" width="560"


 * Definitions of terms:**


 * VCO:** Voltage Controlled Oscillator is something that generates a sound/waveform.
 * VCF:** Voltage Controlled Filter is something that changes sound and the filter rounds down the wave to the requested amount of brilliance.
 * ADSR:**
 * Attack time is the time taken for initial run-up of level from nil to peak, beginning when the key is first pressed.
 * Decay time is the time taken for the subsequent run down from the attack level to the designated sustain level.
 * Sustain level is the level during the main sequence of the sound's duration, until the key is released.
 * Release time is the time taken for the level to decay from the sustain level to zero after the key is released.
 * LFO:** Low Frequency Oscillator is something that is not used to make sounds by themselves; they add a low frequency to one of the three main modules- VCO, VCF, VCA. SIMPLY: Add a second wave to an existing sound and get an interesting effect.
 * VCA:** Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA) is something that can make the sound level loud enough to be heard and/or where the wave is amplified by the amplifier to the requested sound level.
 * Low pass Filter:** An [|electronic filter] that passes low- [|frequency] [|signals] but [|attenuates] (reduces the [|amplitude] of) signals with frequencies higher than the [|cutoff frequency].
 * Frequency modulation:**
 * Mod wheel:** A controller that is used to add expression or to modulate (change) various elements of a synthesized sound or __[|sample] __. One typical use is to modulate an __[|LFO] __ in order to produce__[|vibrato] __. Another would be to control the speed of rotary speaker emulation. There are many other applications as well depending upon the architecture of the instrument being controlled. In order to create such effects, mod wheels send continuous controller messages (CC), which send the movements of the wheel as well as knobs, sliders, pedals etc
 * After touch:** A keyboard feature where dynamics are added after the key is hit, allowing the sound to be modulated in some way (such as fade away or return), based upon the amount of pressure applied to the keyboard.

Additive Synthesis: The addition of multiple oscillators together to create a new sound.Additi

Subtractive Sysnthesis: To strip away frequencies through the use of a filter.

FM Synthesis: (Frequency modulation synthesis) One sound is altered by superimposing another sound upon it in the vco to alter the frequency content.

AM Synthesis: (Amplitude modulation synthesis) Using the amplitude change of one signal to alter the waveform of another.

Sample Based Synthesis: Record a sound samples and assign it to a note on a keyboard to trigger it! Digital

Digital Waveguide Synthesis: Wavetable Synthesis: Take a sound, analyze it, assign each part to a quadrant on a table. Pick a quadrant and hear a sound.

Physical Modeling Synthesis: Create an algorithm to represent the actual acoustical properties of an instrument.

Linear Algorithmic Synthesis: The use of math to create abstract sounds and chance music.

Formant Synthesis: Analyze a sound, change the timbre of a sound by altering the resonant chamber...used for emulation of speech.

Granular Synthesis: Sounds are broken into little grains, reorganized to create new sounds.

Vector Synthesis: Four synths into one on xy pad.

What does VCO stand for?

What is the function of a VCO?

What module is used to alter the sounds timbre?

Which module is used to amplify the sound?

Name the four parts of the typical envelope?

What part of the envelope would you alter in order to make the start of the sound "pop"? (The initial part of the sound has greater amplitude then the rest, like a bell)?

This device adds a wave to an oscillator or filter to alter the sound, often emulating the vibrato or tremolo effect. What is a(n)_______?

What is the function of a high pass filter?

What is the function of automation? (to program an element to fire or active at a specific time)

What tool would I use to send the sound to the left speaker only?

What device is needed when one wants to use multiple audio devices at the same time and adjust their volumes?

What is the difference and analogue and digital synthesis?

What is a modulator?

What is a mod wheel?

What is an arpeggiator?

Put the following devices into the appropriate order: VCO, VCA, VCF, LFO

What type of synthesis did we use to replicate the sound of the drum set? (Additive synthesis)

What type of synthesis uses mathematical pattern to create sound? (Linear Algorithmic)

What part of the envelope would need to be altered in order to get your sound to start slowly and smoothly? (attack)

Change the ______ and have your sound end smoothly and take long to stop? (Release)

What is the keyboard shortcut for a screen shot?

Which file would not upload to your wiki 25 MB wav file. or a 45MB wav file? (both)

What effect would be added in order to make your sound appear to come from a large hall?

What effect gives you a type of echo?

What tool allows you to alter the frequency content of a sound? (EQ)

What are the three acoustical properties of the snare drum that were replicated in Ableton? (tom, stick, and white noise)

Why do we have to know this information?

Name at least 3 different types of synthesis: