Novation Pro Audio Synthesisers & Sound Modules
A synthesiser is an electronic keyboard with a built-in sound module controlled by a Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) using a controller device.
The synthesiser generates an electronic signal and uses an amplifier or a loudspeaker to convert the signal into sound. It is able to imitate musical instruments such as a piano, violin, flute or organ, and is able to create electronic ‘timbres’.
Why use a synthesiser?
Hardware synthesisers are predominantly analog and the advantages of this type of sound module over digital synthesiser software are:
- Reliability over software synthesisers
- Portability – just one device
- Interface – more ergonomic and easy-to-use controls
- Low latency
- Performance
Digital synthesisers deliver more diverse control options, performance and sound can be equal to the analog synthesiser.
The principal difference between analog and digital synthesisers is how the sound is generated but with advances in computer technology, digital synthesisers often offer more features over their analog counterparts.
Types of synthesiser
The two basic forms of synthesisers are analog and digital.
There is a range of synthesis methods, including:
- Analog – Monophonic
- Analog – Polyphonic
- Virtual Analogue
- Digital
- Hybrid
- Semi-modular
- Modular
Subtractive synthesis is more associated with analog synthesisers. Frequency Modulation synthesis was an early form of digital synthesis and has been followed by Pulse Code Modulation-based synthesis which is able to create acoustic sounds.
How do synthesisers work?
Synthesisers need to be able to copy sounds of other instruments by:
- Generating different shaped sound waves
- Generating several sound tones simultaneously in order to product frequency and harmonics
- Be able to make the volume of the sound alter over a period of time
A synthesiser has a range of sound tone generators, known as oscillators, which produce a variety of sound waves, such as:
- Sine wave
- Square wave
- Saw tooth
- Triangular wave
Waves are combined to produce sounds to imitate traditional musical instruments. Modern synthesisers are built with pre-set programmes that enable the selection of specific instrument sounds.