Synthesis and Sound Design Flashcards
7 cards from real Music & Audio Advice practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Synthesis and Sound Design flashcards as text
What does a ring modulator do to two input signals?
Answer: Multiplies them, creating sum and difference frequencies
Ring modulation multiplies signals, producing metallic, inharmonic sum and difference tones.
A 'sync' (oscillator sync) sound is created by what?
Answer: Resetting one oscillator's phase with another
Hard sync forces a slave oscillator to restart with the master, creating cutting, harmonically rich tones.
What is aliasing in digital synthesis?
Answer: Unwanted false frequencies from undersampled high harmonics
Aliasing occurs when harmonics above the Nyquist frequency fold back as inharmonic artifacts.
A filter with a 24 dB/octave slope compared to 12 dB/octave will be what?
Answer: Steeper, cutting frequencies more sharply
A 24 dB/octave slope attenuates beyond the cutoff twice as steeply as 12 dB/octave.
Velocity is commonly routed to which parameter to add expression?
Answer: Amplitude or filter cutoff
Mapping velocity to volume or cutoff makes harder hits louder or brighter, adding dynamics.
What does the release stage of an ADSR control?
Answer: How long the sound takes to fade after the key is let go
Release sets the time for the envelope to fall to zero after a note is released.
Why use a noise oscillator briefly at the start of a synth patch?
Answer: To add a transient 'attack' or breath
A short noise burst sharpens the attack, giving plucks and keys a percussive transient.