Distortion synthesis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Distortion synthesis is a group of sound synthesis techniques which modify existing sounds to produce more complex sounds (or timbres), usually by using non-linear circuits or mathematics.
While some synthesis methods achieve sonic complexity by using many oscillators, distortion methods create a frequency spectrum which has many more components than oscillators.
Jean-Claude Risset was one notable pioneeer in the adoption of distortion methods.
Some distortion techniques are: FM synthesis, waveshaping synthesis, and discrete summation.
Contents |
[edit] FM synthesis
Frequency modulation synthesis distorts the carrier frequency of an oscillator by modulating it with another signal. The distortion can be controlled by means of an index.
The method know as phase distortion synthesis is similar to FM.
[edit] Waveshaping synthesis
Waveshaping synthesis changes an original waveform by responding to its amplitude in a non-linear fashion. It can generate a bandwidth-limited spectrum, and can be continuously controlled with an index.
The clipping caused by overdriving an audio amplifier is a simple example of this method.
(This method should not be confused with wavetable synthesis, which creates sound from lists of numbers, most often representing one period or cycle per wave. However, wavetable synthesis is identical to the special case of waveshaping synthesis where the original waveform is a sawtooth wave.)
[edit] Discrete summation
Discrete summation refers to algorithmic synthesis methods which use mathematical formulas to sum, or add together, many numbers to achieve a desired wave shape. (In theory, any waveform can be represented as the sum of a series of sines and cosines.)
Summation, again, can be controlled by an index. Summation allows the synthesis of harmonic and inharmonic, band-limited or unlimited spectra.
[edit] References
- Charles Dodge, Thomas A. Jerse. Computer Music. New York, Schirmer Books, 1997. ISBN 0-02-864682-7.
- Marc Le Brun. Digital Waveshaping Synthesis in Journal of the Audio Engineering Society, 27(4), 1979, p250-266.
[edit] External links
| Sound synthesis types |
| Frequency modulation synthesis | Phase distortion synthesis | Subtractive synthesis | Additive synthesis |
| Sample-based synthesis: Wavetable synthesis | Granular synthesis | Dynamic stochastic synthesis | Vector synthesis |
| Physical modelling synthesis: Digital waveguide synthesis | Karplus-Strong string synthesis | Formant synthesis |
 |
This music related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
