Music & Audio Advice Synthesis and Sound Design 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In subtractive synthesis, what does a low-pass filter primarily do to a sound?
- Removes frequencies above the cutoff (Correct answer)
- Removes frequencies below the cutoff
- Boosts all frequencies equally
- Adds new harmonics
Correct answer: Removes frequencies above the cutoff
A low-pass filter attenuates frequencies above its cutoff point, letting lower frequencies pass.
Question 2: Which waveform contains only odd harmonics and has a hollow, clarinet-like tone?
- Sawtooth
- Square (Correct answer)
- Sine
- Triangle
Correct answer: Square
A square wave is built from odd harmonics only, giving it a hollow, reedy character.
Question 3: What does the 'A' in an ADSR envelope control?
- Amplitude ceiling
- Attack time (Correct answer)
- Aftertouch
- Analog drift
Correct answer: Attack time
Attack sets how quickly the envelope rises from zero to its peak level.
Question 4: An LFO routed to pitch at a slow rate produces what classic effect?
- Vibrato (Correct answer)
- Distortion
- Reverb
- Bitcrushing
Correct answer: Vibrato
A low-frequency oscillator modulating pitch creates the periodic wavering called vibrato.
Question 5: In FM synthesis, raising the modulator's amplitude (index) generally does what?
- Lowers the pitch
- Adds more sidebands and brightness (Correct answer)
- Reduces harmonic content
- Mutes the carrier
Correct answer: Adds more sidebands and brightness
Increasing the modulation index generates more sidebands, making the timbre brighter and richer.
Question 6: What is the purpose of filter resonance (Q)?
- Lowering overall volume
- Emphasizing frequencies near the cutoff (Correct answer)
- Removing all harmonics
- Adding reverb tails
Correct answer: Emphasizing frequencies near the cutoff
Resonance boosts a narrow band of frequencies around the cutoff, creating a peak or whistle.
Question 7: Detuning two oscillators slightly against each other produces what?
- A thicker, beating chorus-like sound (Correct answer)
- Perfect silence
- A pure sine tone
- A drop in pitch by an octave
Correct answer: A thicker, beating chorus-like sound
Slight detuning causes phase beating between oscillators, fattening the sound.
Music & Audio Advice Synthesis and Sound Design 2
In subtractive synthesis, what does a low-pass filter primarily do to a sound?