synths
Digital sound makers
Synths is the plural of synth, a clipped form of synthesizer—an electronic instrument that generates and manipulates sound.
The term dominates in music contexts: The synths on that track are incredible, 80s pop was defined by synths.
Synth also works as an adjective: synth pop, synth wave.
In gaming and science fiction, synths are synthetic humans or androids: The synths in that game are nearly indistinguishable from humans.
Made of separable units
- analogComparable equivalent
- digitalOf discrete data
- oscillatorCyclic signal generator
- filterPorous separation device
LFO · envelope · sequencer · arpeggiator · patch · waveform · controller · MIDI
Cyclic signal generator
- waveformGraphed oscillation pattern
- filterPorous separation device
- resonanceAmplified oscillation at natural frequency
- envelopeFolded paper enclosure
modulation · pitch · timbre · frequency · distortion · reverb · chorus · flanger
Quality from past eras
- eightiesYears from eighty-nine backward
- analogComparable equivalent
- tapeAdhesive strip on roll
- vinylSynthetic resin plastic
cassette · lofi · warmth · nostalgia · neon · outrun · retrowave · detuned
Dystopian tech-noir fiction
- sci-fiFuturistic fiction, abbreviated
- space-ageTechnologically advanced, futuristically styled
- neonInert illuminating element
- dystopiaImaginary terrible society
computerized · robotic · otherworldly · alien · atmospheric · cinematic · electronic · digital
Electronic keyboard-based music genre
- synthwaveEighties-inspired electronic genre
- technoElectronic dance genre
- tranceSemiconscious, unresponsive condition
- houseResidential building
electro · chillwave · vaporwave · industrial · retrowave · outrun · ambient · chiptune
Cushioned writing surface
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
- droneUnmanned flying machine
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- dreamyVague and pleasantly distracted
spacey · textural · evolving · lush · cinematic · soundscape · layered · meditative
Strapped portable synthesizer
- vocoderSpeech analysis synthesizer
- samplerSelection for trying
- workstationTechnical computing system
- controllerDevice directing a system
modular
Made of separable units
- analogComparable equivalent
- digitalOf discrete data
- oscillatorCyclic signal generator
filter · LFO · envelope · sequencer · arpeggiator · patch · waveform · controller · MIDI · monophonic
oscillator
Cyclic signal generator
- waveformGraphed oscillation pattern
- filterPorous separation device
- resonanceAmplified oscillation at natural frequency
envelope · modulation · pitch · timbre · frequency · distortion · reverb · chorus · flanger · phaser
vintage
Quality from past eras
vinyl · cassette · lofi · warmth · nostalgia · neon · outrun · retrowave · detuned · VHS
cyberpunk
Dystopian tech-noir fiction
- sci-fiFuturistic fiction, abbreviated
- space-ageTechnologically advanced, futuristically styled
- neonInert illuminating element
dystopia · computerized · robotic · otherworldly · alien · atmospheric · cinematic · electronic · digital
synthpop
Electronic keyboard-based music genre
- synthwaveEighties-inspired electronic genre
- technoElectronic dance genre
- tranceSemiconscious, unresponsive condition
house · electro · chillwave · vaporwave · industrial · retrowave · outrun · ambient · chiptune
pad
Cushioned writing surface
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
- droneUnmanned flying machine
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
dreamy · spacey · textural · evolving · lush · cinematic · soundscape · layered · meditative · floating
keytar
Strapped portable synthesizer
- vocoderSpeech analysis synthesizer
- samplerSelection for trying
- workstationTechnical computing system
controller · keys · weighted · velocity
- Trip-HopMassive Attack, Portishead, downtempo, Sly, Mandalay
- Artificial Beingsandroid, androids, automaton, automata, humanoid robot
- Synth-PopDepeche Mode, New Order, Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, Soft Cell
- FalloutFallout 4, New Vegas, Commonwealth, Fat Man, NCR
- Prog RockKing Crimson, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Jethro Tull, prog rock
- Jazz Fusionjazz fusion, fusion jazz, Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis
synthsacoustic instruments
Non-electric sound producers
acoustic guitars · grand piano · strings · woodwinds · brass
synthsunplugged
Disconnected from power
stripped-down · raw · lo-fi · roots music · bluegrass
synthshuman touch
Direct interpersonal connection
- voice synthesizerDevice generating artificial speech
- speech synthesisArtificially producing vocal audio
- DNA synthesisConstructing genetic material
- fatty acid synthesisMetabolic creation of lipids
- hemoglobin synthesisProduction of blood's oxygen carrier
- research synthesis
synthesis, synthesize, synth, synthesizer, synthesized, synthesizing, photosynthesis, synthesizes, biosynthesis