synthesisers
Sound-generating machines
Synthesisers is the British spelling of synthesizers—electronic instruments that generate and manipulate sound.
A synthesiser produces tones through oscillators, filters, and modulators rather than acoustic vibration: The band's sound relied heavily on synthesisers.
The term extends to any device that combines elements to create something new, as in speech synthesisers.
Cyclic signal generator
- waveformGraphed oscillation pattern
- filterPorous separation device
- envelopeFolded paper enclosure
- LFOSub-audio frequency cycler
modulation · resonance · cutoff · timbre · frequency · amplitude · sawtooth · sine wave
Analog synthesizer brand
First to explore territory
- KraftwerkGerman electronic music pioneers
- VangelisElectronic film scorer
- Brian EnoOblique Strategies creator
- Depeche ModeBritish synth-pop band
Lock-operating instruments
- octavesEight-tone intervals
- weighted keysKeys that push back
- polyphonySimultaneous independent melodic lines
- monophonicHaving one voice
pitch bend · arpeggiator · portamento · glide · split · layer · transpose · sustain
oscillator
Cyclic signal generator
LFO · modulation · resonance · cutoff · timbre · frequency · amplitude · sawtooth · sine wave · square wave
Moog
Analog synthesizer brand
- RolandMusic equipment brand
- YamahaJapanese conglomerate, diverse products
- ARPIP-to-MAC resolution protocol
modular · desktop · semi-modular · MIDI · knobs · sliders · panel
pioneering
First to explore territory
keys
Lock-operating instruments
- octavesEight-tone intervals
- weighted keysKeys that push back
- polyphonySimultaneous independent melodic lines
monophonic · pitch bend · arpeggiator · portamento · glide · split · layer · transpose · sustain
electronic
Relating to circuitry devices
house · trance · EDM · new wave · synth-pop · industrial · film scores · chiptune · disco · electro
synthesisersacoustic instruments
Non-electric sound producers
upright bass · woodwinds · brass instruments · acoustic guitars · acoustic guitar
synthesiserstraditional instruments
Music tools from heritage cultures
natural sounds · folk instruments · human voice · a cappella