Sound Design Audio Synthesis Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What synthesis method uses mathematical operators called 'operators' arranged in algorithms, famously implemented in the Yamaha DX7?
- Wavetable synthesis
- Granular synthesis
- FM synthesis (Correct answer)
- Physical modeling
Correct answer: FM synthesis
The Yamaha DX7 popularized FM synthesis, using up to 6 operators (oscillators) configured in various algorithms to produce its distinctive metallic and electric piano sounds.
Question 2: In a synthesizer's ADSR envelope, what does the 'S' stand for?
- Speed
- Sustain (Correct answer)
- Spread
- Shape
Correct answer: Sustain
In an ADSR envelope, S stands for Sustain, which sets the level held while a note is pressed after the decay phase completes.
Question 3: Wavetable synthesis creates movement by doing what?
- Adding reverb to a static waveform
- Scanning through a table of stored single-cycle waveforms (Correct answer)
- Modulating the tempo of a sample
- Filtering a noise source
Correct answer: Scanning through a table of stored single-cycle waveforms
Wavetable synthesis scans through a collection of single-cycle waveforms stored in a table, smoothly interpolating between them to create evolving, animated timbres.
Question 4: What is 'ring modulation' in synthesis?
- Adding chorus to a signal
- Multiplying two audio signals together to produce sum and difference frequencies (Correct answer)
- Routing an LFO to a ring buffer
- Applying a ring-shaped EQ curve
Correct answer: Multiplying two audio signals together to produce sum and difference frequencies
Ring modulation multiplies two input signals together, producing output frequencies that are the sum and difference of the input frequencies, creating metallic or inharmonic timbres.
Question 5: Physical modeling synthesis simulates sound by doing what?
- Playing back recorded samples
- Mathematically modeling the physical behavior of acoustic instruments (Correct answer)
- Layering multiple oscillators
- Using convolution reverb
Correct answer: Mathematically modeling the physical behavior of acoustic instruments
Physical modeling synthesis uses mathematical algorithms (such as waveguide models) to simulate how physical objects like strings, tubes, or membranes vibrate to produce sound.
Question 6: What does 'oscillator sync' do in a synthesizer?
- Locks the tempo to MIDI clock
- Forces a slave oscillator to restart its cycle whenever the master completes one (Correct answer)
- Synchronizes two audio tracks
- Matches the pitch of two oscillators
Correct answer: Forces a slave oscillator to restart its cycle whenever the master completes one
Oscillator sync forces the slave oscillator to reset its waveform cycle each time the master oscillator completes a cycle, creating rich, cutting timbres as the slave's natural frequency is overridden.
Sound Design Audio Synthesis Techniques 2
What synthesis method uses mathematical operators called 'operators' arranged in algorithms, famously implemented in the Yamaha DX7?