sawtooth wave
Ramp-then-drop signal
A sawtooth wave is a waveform that rises steadily then drops sharply, or vice versa—its graph resembles the teeth of a saw.
In electronics and music synthesis, sawtooth waves produce a bright, buzzing tone rich in harmonics, often used as a starting point for creating other sounds: The synth's sawtooth wave cut through the mix.
Closed electrical pathway
- voltageElectrical potential difference
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- oscilloscopeVoltage waveform display device
- analogComparable equivalent
signal processing · frequency · modulation · amplitude · electronic · audio signal · sweep · ramp
Frequencies above the fundamental
- oscillatorCyclic signal generator
- waveformGraphed oscillation pattern
- overtonesImplicit secondary meanings
- amplitudeMaximum oscillation displacement
periodic · oscillation · phase · spectrum · asymmetric · duty cycle
Cyclic signal generator
- analogComparable equivalent
- subtractiveInvolving removal or reduction
- timbreSound's distinctive character
- modulationVarying signals to transmit
envelope · filter · LFO · resonance · patch · wavetable · sound design · synth bass
circuit
Closed electrical pathway
- voltageElectrical potential difference
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- oscilloscopeVoltage waveform display device
analog · signal processing · frequency · modulation · amplitude · electronic · audio signal · sweep · ramp · test signal
harmonics
Frequencies above the fundamental
- oscillatorCyclic signal generator
- waveformGraphed oscillation pattern
- overtonesImplicit secondary meanings
amplitude · periodic · oscillation · phase · spectrum · asymmetric · duty cycle
oscillator
Cyclic signal generator
- analogComparable equivalent
- subtractiveInvolving removal or reduction
- timbreSound's distinctive character
modulation · envelope · filter · LFO · resonance · patch · wavetable · sound design · synth bass · Moog
jagged
Sharply uneven, notched
- asymmetricNot identical on both sides
- rampSloped connecting surface
- teethEnamel-covered chewing structures
zigzag · angular · sloped · linear · serrated · peaked · sharp · triangular · staircase · incline
bright
Emitting or reflecting light
rich · nasal · cutting · edgy · raspy · metallic · piercing · strident · reedy · aggressive
- waveswavelength, ripples, wavefront, surf, waveform
- audio termsWAV, dB, tone, frequency response, MP3
- electrical signalsanalog signal, digital signal, audio signal, video signal, pulse
- jagged patternszigzag, serrated edge, serration, gear teeth, comb teeth
- synthesizerssynthesizer, synth, modular, analog, oscillator
- Waveformswaveform, amplitude, period, harmonics, overtones