Sound Design Audio Synthesis Techniques 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What type of synthesis builds complex sounds by adding together multiple sine waves at different frequencies and amplitudes?
- Subtractive synthesis
- Additive synthesis (Correct answer)
- FM synthesis
- Granular synthesis
Correct answer: Additive synthesis
Additive synthesis creates complex timbres by summing individual sine wave partials, each with its own frequency, amplitude, and phase.
Question 2: In subtractive synthesis, what component is used to remove frequencies from a harmonically rich waveform?
- Oscillator
- Envelope
- Filter (Correct answer)
- LFO
Correct answer: Filter
A filter (typically a low-pass, high-pass, or band-pass filter) is used in subtractive synthesis to carve away unwanted frequencies from a source waveform.
Question 3: What does FM stand for in FM synthesis?
- Frequency Modulation (Correct answer)
- Filter Modulation
- Formant Mapping
- Fundamental Mode
Correct answer: Frequency Modulation
FM synthesis stands for Frequency Modulation synthesis, where one oscillator (the modulator) modulates the frequency of another (the carrier) to create complex harmonic spectra.
Question 4: Which waveform contains only odd harmonics and produces a hollow, clarinet-like tone?
- Sawtooth wave
- Square wave (Correct answer)
- Sine wave
- Triangle wave
Correct answer: Square wave
A square wave contains only odd harmonics (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.), giving it a hollow, reedy timbre similar to a clarinet.
Question 5: In granular synthesis, a sound is broken into tiny fragments called what?
- Particles
- Grains (Correct answer)
- Atoms
- Samples
Correct answer: Grains
Granular synthesis divides audio into tiny time segments called grains (typically 1–100 ms), which are then rearranged, pitch-shifted, and overlapped to create textures.
Question 6: What is the function of an LFO in a synthesizer?
- Amplify the audio signal
- Generate sub-bass tones
- Modulate parameters at low frequencies below the audible range (Correct answer)
- Convert analog signal to digital
Correct answer: Modulate parameters at low frequencies below the audible range
A Low-Frequency Oscillator (LFO) generates a periodic signal typically below 20 Hz used to modulate parameters like pitch, filter cutoff, or amplitude to create effects like vibrato and tremolo.
Sound Design Audio Synthesis Techniques 1
What type of synthesis builds complex sounds by adding together multiple sine waves at different frequencies and amplitudes?