Sound Design Audio Synthesis Techniques 3

Question 1

What is 'velocity sensitivity' in a synthesizer?

Accepted Answer

How the loudness or timbre responds to how hard a key is struck

Answer

Velocity sensitivity maps the MIDI velocity value (how hard a key is struck) to parameters like amplitude or filter cutoff, making the instrument respond dynamically like an acoustic instrument.

Question 2

Which synthesis technique uses recordings of real instruments as the raw source material?

Accepted Answer

Sampling (sample-based synthesis)

Answer

Sample-based synthesis uses recorded audio snippets (samples) of real instruments or sounds as the oscillator source, then applies pitch-shifting and processing to play them at different notes.

Question 3

In subtractive synthesis, what is 'filter resonance' (also called 'Q')?

Accepted Answer

Emphasis of frequencies around the filter's cutoff point

Answer

Filter resonance (Q) boosts the frequencies immediately around the cutoff point, adding a characteristic peak that can range from subtle warmth to self-oscillation at extreme settings.

Question 4

What is a 'patch' in synthesizer terminology?

Accepted Answer

A specific configuration of oscillators, filters, envelopes, and routing

Answer

A patch is a saved preset or configuration that defines all the synthesizer's settings — oscillator types, filter cutoff, envelope times, modulation routings — to produce a specific sound.

Question 5

What does 'unison mode' do on a synthesizer?

Accepted Answer

Stacks multiple detuned oscillator voices on each note for a thick, wide sound

Answer

Unison mode stacks several slightly detuned copies of the oscillator(s) onto each played note, creating a wide, chorused, and thick sound characteristic of supersaw leads.

Sound Design Practice Test

Sound Design Practice Test

Sound Design Audio Synthesis Techniques 3