An Introduction To Synthesizers
- Chirag Kotak (Sonik-Tec)
- Dec 4, 2015
- 4 min read
Sonik Dimensions - A brief Introduction to Synthesizers
The Term 'Electronic Music', represents so much more than a style or Genre of Music. Not only is it a Blanket Term for various Sub-Genres of Contemporary Dance Music, like House, Techno, Dubstep Etc., But more so, it conveys, How the Music is Made. I would like to look at it as, a term used to describe, the Tools and Instruments used, to create the Music. Just like Orchestral Music uses many Acoustic instruments together, to form an Orchestra which a Composer would use to express His Musical ideas. Electronic Music refers to The Instruments, and Techniques employed in the creation of Music. It Could Be any Genre of Music really, and not just limited to the popular Dance oriented styles.
Apart from some of the other amazing production tools used, At the Heart of Electronic Music is an Instrument called ' The Synthesizer'. It is an extremely versatile instrument, capable of a staggering array of Sounds, ranging from Subtle Atmospheres, Ethereal String Ensembles and Angelic Choirs, to a whole range of Percussive Drum-like sounds, Bone Shaking Bass, Far-Out Psychedelic Growls, and In Your Face Distortion-Laden Eargasmic Leads - And That's just naming a few of the things, 'Synths' are capable of doing !
Synthesizers take You on an Sonic journey into, Strange and wonderful Realms of endless Aural possibilities. There is no limit to the kinds of sounds one can make on a Synth.
There are actually different kinds of Synthesizers, that utilize various methods of Sound Synthesis to generate sounds. Some of the commonly used methods are, Subtractive Synthesis, Additive Synthesis, FM synthesis, Granular Synthesis and Wavetable Synthesis. Each of these Synthesis methods are capable of generating very distinct sorts of sounds.
Synthesizers are available as both Hardware and Software. Some Synths are Analog Hardware synths, others are Digital Synths, that could either be Software or Hardware.
Analog Synths are made with electronic components like capacitors, resistors and circuits, where as Digital Synths use Microchips at their core and are basically computers. Either with a dedicated processor or they could use Your computers inbuilt processor, to perform the task of sound generation. These days, You can even get a Synth, as an App on Your Favorite Tablet PC of Smartphone !
Let's take a look at , One of the more ubiquitous and commonly used Synthesis Methods - Subtractive Synthesis. It uses Basic Tones as a starting point and then Shapes them, to Create more complex Sounds. I like to compare it to a Block of Stone, that a Sculptor starts off with and then chisels away at, in order to create, an object like a statue.The Tones used as a starting point, are generated by, something known as an 'Oscillator', and are represented graphically as waveforms. They are called : Sine Wave, Square Wave, Triangle Wave, Sawtooth Wave and Noise Wave. A variety of Sounds can be Created from just these basic Tones. Click on The Link to hear what each of the Waves sound like.
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Those were just a few of the sounds, that can be created on a Synth.
Many times, the sounds that are created are further processed, through Effects like Reverb, Echo Delays, Chorus, Distortion etc.
Synths are not just used to produce Music. They are also very commonly used to create sound effects for Film and Video games. These days Synths are used all over the place, to create Music and sounds for all sorts of Mediums.
They have actually been around since approximately a 100 years, But have become very advanced, affordable and easy to use, only in the last 20 years or so. Synthesizers are definitely Here to stay, and shall play a huge role in the Music and Sounds of The Present and The Future.
I hope You enjoyed this, Brief Introduction To the World of Synthesizers.
If You would like to Know more about Synthesizers, Please follow the Links provided Below.
Author : Chirag Kotak
Sonik-Tec Academy : Electronic Music Production Courses , Mumbai
Email: soniktec@gmail.com
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