Sound Design

Synthesis


Additive Synthesis:

is the process of combining 2 signals together to create a new waveshape. Traditional additive synthesis is the result of stacking sines. If you only use odd intervals, you can create a triangle or saw. An even set of intervals can produce a square. These waveshapes including a sine are called Basic Shapes because they are the 4 most commonly produced waveforms using additive synthesis.


Subtractive Synthesis

is functionally filtering, or EQ. This technique is what makes most synthetic instruments sound organic, "wet", or otherwise interesting to listeners.


Multiple Oscillators:

are seen in most modern soft-synths. A sound engineer doesn't require a degree to hear that a sine layered on top of a saw makes the output sound different. Layering these two waveshapes also changes your output waveform.



Modulation


Asymetrical


Bend


Flip


AM

Amplitude modulation


FM

Frequency modulation


RM

Ring modulation feeds sounds to a waveshape and alters their sound based on the frequency of the ring mod. RM is altered by the source waveshapen the context of 2 oscilator set ups will recieve


Pulse Wave


Spectral


Synchronize



Time Based FX


Delay

is the foundation of all 4 effects listed here.

Delay repeats audio as few as 2 times and up to infinitely as many times as the user sets on the feedback parameter. This effect originates with tape-based recording. Tape echo would lose high end so delay would become associated with a tapering in the high end over so many repeats of the source audio. The introduction of digital repeat allows for the inverted low end taper, meant to emulate the echo of a narrowing chamber, as well as create infinite repeats.

The collection of tools above are what are most commonly associated with delay, and will be the best use case for this effect type.

Delay is prefered over reverb on recordings of vocals in favor of reverb because reverb convolves will increase in volume as the length of signal grows. Drums alternatively get a huge buff from reverb due to their percussive nature.


Reverb


Chorus


Delay



Phase Based FX


EQ

EQ, or spectral equalizing, has get its own section called Subtractive Synthesis, but here's a quick breakdown.


Phaser

The phaser a sound designer chooses will affect the appreciation and respect they have for phasers. Phasers use notch filters called poles. Each pole sweeps the source output for overtones to boost. A negative polarity can sound metalic. A positive polarity can sound wet or glassy. Rate will control the stereo position of each pole. Setting a phaser's rate to ±0hz


Flanger


Asymetrical



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Index

  1. Synthesis
  2. Modulation