Learning to use synthesizers is not always easy as there are many words that may seem quite mysterious at first glance.
To make your life easier, I have created this glossary which aims to be as comprehensive as possible and in which I have concentrated a maximum of definitions related to the world of synthesizers.
A B C D E F G H K L M N O P R S T U V W
A
ADSR — ADSR is an acronym for Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release. These four values correspond to the temporal parameters used to describe an envelope. You can check out a detailed article on the subject of ADSR envelopes by clicking here.
Aftertouch — This is a feature found on some synthesizer keyboards and MIDI controllers that detects the continuous pressure applied to a key after the initial press to produce the note. It allows musicians to add expressive modulations to the performance based on the force applied to the keys.
Amplifier — Circuit or functional block that increases the level of a signal.
Amplitude — Level of a signal.
Amplitude Modulation (AM) — A sound synthesis technique where the amplitude of an audio signal (carrier) is modified by another signal (modulator), creating variations in volume and new harmonics.
Analog — Property of an electronic circuit that involves not using any digital components to generate and manipulate audio signals. Feel free to check out my selection of the best analog synthesizers.
Arpeggiator — Function of a synthesizer or MIDI keyboard that automatically plays a series of notes from a chord according to a specified pattern.
Attack — The first stage of a sound envelope, determining the speed at which the envelope reaches its maximum level after being triggered.
Attenuation — Reduction of the volume level of a signal, often used to adjust sound intensity.
B
Band — Specific range of frequencies in the audio spectrum, often used to describe filter or equalizer settings.
Sound Bank — Set of pre-recorded or sampled sounds, organized for practical use in a synthesizer or sampler.
Bass (or bass line) — Musical part played by a bass instrument or synthesizer, providing the harmonic and rhythmic foundation of a musical composition.
Bitrate — see Bit Resolution
White Noise — Type of sound noise that contains all audible frequencies at equal levels.
Brown Noise — Type of sound noise that decreases at a rate of 6 dB per octave in the audio spectrum.
Pink Noise — Type of sound noise that decreases by 3 dB per octave in the audio spectrum, similar to the perception of natural noise in certain situations.
C
CC — See MIDI CC
Chorus — Audio effect that creates a sense of richness by layering several slightly time-shifted copies of an original signal.
Keyboard — Interface for playing notes on a synthesizer or electronic piano.
Compressor — Audio effect used to reduce the dynamic range of a signal by decreasing the amplitude of loud signals. For more information, visit my complete guide to compressors
Control Voltage (CV) — Electrical signal used to control the parameters of a modular synthesizer.
Layers — see Layers
CV — Abbreviation for Control Voltage
D
DAW (or Digital Audio Workstation) — Software used to record, edit, and mix digitally recorded sounds. For more information, visit my detailed file on the best DAWs
DCO (or Digitally Controlled Oscillator) — Analog oscillator digitally controlled by an electronic chip, used in synthesizers to generate waveforms. Sound synthesis remains analog.
Decay — Often the second phase of a sound envelope, determining the decrease of sound after the attack.
Detuning — Adjustment of the pitch of oscillators to create a detuning effect or richness in sound.
Distortion — Intentional alteration of sound to create additional harmonics and a saturation effect.
E
Effect — Modification of the audio signal to create specific alterations such as reverb, chorus, etc.
Equalization — Process of modifying the balance between different frequencies in an audio signal. For more information, visit my detailed guide on equalizers.
Envelope — Modulation parameters that control how a sound or parameter changes over time (ADSR for example). An envelope is used to shape the dynamic evolution of a sound, and it can be applied not only to volume but also to other parameters such as filter, pitch, or modulation. You can read a detailed article on the subject of ADSR envelopes by clicking here.
EQ — Abbreviation for “Equalizer”, used to adjust the frequency response of an audio signal.
F
Feedback — Feedback loop in an electronic circuit that sends part of the output signal back to the input. Some synthesizers use feedback to create complex sounds by sending part of the signal from an oscillator back to its own input, which can generate additional harmonics and rich sound textures.
Filter — Electronic circuit that attenuates or amplifies certain frequencies of an audio signal. Click here to read a detailed article on the subject of filters.
Band Pass Filter (BP) — Filter that allows a certain group of frequencies to pass through while attenuating others.
Band Reject Filter — Filter that attenuates a certain group of frequencies while allowing others to pass through.
High Pass Filter — Filter that attenuates frequencies below a specified cutoff frequency.
Low Pass Filter — Filter that attenuates frequencies above a specified cutoff frequency.
Flanger — Audio effect created by layering a delayed copy of the signal with the original, with a slight phase shift.
FM — see FM Synthesis
Waveform — Curve that represents the shape of an audio signal or a control signal over time.
Sampling Frequency — Number of samples taken per second to represent a digital audio signal. For more information, I invite you to watch my detailed video on the subject.
Cutoff Frequency — Frequency at which a filter begins to attenuate a signal.
Fundamental Frequency — The lowest and strongest frequency of a musical sound.
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G
Gain — Increase or decrease in the level of an audio signal.
Gate — Control signal that opens or closes the passage of a sound or signal.
Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS) — Humorous term describing the compulsive tendency of musicians and producers to constantly buy new equipment, instruments, and software, often beyond their actual needs.
Glide — Sliding effect that allows for a smooth transition from one note to another.
Glitch — Sound effect based on the intentional use of bugs, digital errors, cuts, micro-samples, or audio artifacts to create rhythmic or experimental textures.
Granular — See Granular Synthesis
H
Harmonics — Frequencies that are multiples of the fundamental frequency that enrich the sound.
Hertz (Hz) — Unit of frequency measurement, indicating the number of cycles per second.
Hold — Phase of an audio envelope that maintains the sound at a constant level.
K
Keytracking — Function of a synthesizer that allows for automatic adjustment of certain parameters (such as filter cutoff frequency) based on the pitch of the notes played on the keyboard.
L
Layers — Stacked layers of sounds to create a complex sound texture.
LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) — Low-frequency oscillator used to modulate other parameters in a synthesizer (e.g., modulation of a filter’s cutoff frequency or an oscillator’s pitch). Click here for a more detailed article on LFOs.
M
Modulation Matrix — Interface that allows connecting modulation sources (like LFOs, envelopes) to destinations (like filters, oscillators).
Memory — Capacity of a synthesizer to store and recall preset sound parameters.
MIDI Message — Digital information sent via the MIDI protocol to control electronic instruments or parameters.
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) — Standard protocol for communication between electronic musical instruments.
Midi CC (Control Change) — MIDI signal used to control various MIDI parameters in real-time, such as volume, filter cutoff frequency, or pitch.
MIDI Clock — MIDI signal used to synchronize multiple MIDI devices.
Mod Wheel — Wheel on a keyboard or MIDI controller used to control an amount of modulation.
Modulation — Gradual change of an audio parameter such as pitch, frequency, or intensity.
Amplitude Modulation — See Amplitude Modulation (AM)
Monophonic — Ability of a synthesizer to play only one note at a time.
MPE — Abbreviation for “MIDI Polyphonic Expression,” an extension of the MIDI standard allowing for individual expressive modulation for each note of a chord (pitch bend, glissando, pressure)
Multitimbral — Ability of a synthesizer to play multiple sounds or instruments simultaneously.
N
Level — Intensity or amplitude of an audio (or non-audio) signal, often measured in decibels (dB).
Digital — Synthesis technology using digital electronic circuits to generate and manipulate sounds, as opposed to Analog.
O
Octave — Interval that separates two notes bearing the same name.
Square Wave — Waveform characterized by abrupt transitions between high and low levels, producing a sound rich in odd harmonics.
Sawtooth Wave — A waveform characterized by a rapid linear rise and a sharp drop, producing a sound rich in harmonics.
Impulse Wave — An audio waveform based on the square wave but with variable width cycles.
Sine Wave — A fundamental audio waveform, without harmonics.
Triangle Wave — A waveform with linear rise and fall, producing a softer sound with odd harmonics.
Oscillator — A circuit that generates audio waveforms such as sine, square, etc.
P
Pad — A soft, enveloping synthesizer sound more commonly referred to as “pad”.
Panning — Distribution of sound between the left and right speakers to create a sense of spatial positioning.
Paraphonic — The ability of a synthesizer to play multiple notes simultaneously, but each note then uses one of the available oscillators and the entire signal goes through the same processing chain.
Patch — Configuration of a synthesizer’s parameters to create a particular sound.
Slope (of a filter) — A measure of how aggressively a filter attenuates frequencies beyond its cutoff frequency, expressed in decibels per octave (dB/octave).
Pitch — The perceived frequency of a sound, determined by its frequency.
Pitch Wheel — A control wheel on a MIDI keyboard that allows for gradual modification of the pitch of played notes.
Polyphonic — The ability of a synthesizer to play multiple notes simultaneously.
Portamento — See Glide.
Preset — A predefined sound or parameter configuration on a synthesizer.
Pulse Wave — See Impulse Wave.
R
Release — The final phase of a sound envelope, determining the time it takes for the envelope to return to zero once the note is released.
Resonance — Selective boosting of frequencies around the cutoff frequency of a filter.
Ring Modulator — A synthesis/modulation technique that produces complex sounds by combining two audio signals.
S
Sample — A digital recording of a real or synthetic sound.
Sample & Hold (S&H) — A modulation technique where a signal value is sampled at regular intervals and held constant until the next sampling, creating random or sequenced variations.
Sample Rate — See Sampling Frequency.
Sampler — A device or software that plays and manipulates sound samples.
Saw Wave — See Sawtooth Wave.
Sequencer — Module on a synthesizer that allows recording and replaying sequences of notes and/or modulations. By extension, synonymous with DAW
Sine Wave — See Sine Wave
Split — Division of a keyboard into zones to play different sounds. For example, one can play a bass sound on part of the keyboard, and a piano sound on the rest of the keyboard.
Square Wave — Audio waveform with square cycles.
Step Sequencer — See Sequencer
Sub-oscillator — Additional oscillator in a synthesizer that generates a waveform one octave lower than that of the main oscillator, enriching the sound with low harmonics.
Supersaw — A shape characterized by several sawtooth waves slightly detuned, creating a thick and rich sound used particularly in trance music.
Sustain — Generally the third phase of a sound envelope, corresponding to the duration of holding the envelope at a constant level as long as the note is held.
Phase Modulation Synthesis — Sound synthesis technique where the phase of an oscillator is modified by another audio signal or by itself, creating timbres rich in harmonics.
Wavetable Synthesis — Sound synthesis method using pre-recorded digital wave tables to generate complex and evolving waveforms.
Additive Synthesis — Sound synthesis technique that combines several simple waveforms to create more complex sounds rich in harmonics.
FM Synthesis (Frequency Modulation) — Sound synthesis technique where the frequency of an oscillator, called the carrier oscillator, is modulated by the frequency of another oscillator, called the modulator oscillator.
Granular Synthesis — Sound synthesis technique where a sound is chopped into small fragments (grains) that are manipulated in various ways.
Subtractive Synthesis — Sound synthesis technique where unwanted harmonics are removed from a complex signal using filters, to sculpt the timbre of the sound.
Modular Synthesizer — Synthesizer made up of independent modules connected together, allowing total flexibility in the creation and modulation of sounds.
T
Tempo — Basic speed of a piece of music, measured in beats per minute (BPM), determining the speed or slowness of the rhythm.
Timbre — Unique tonal character of a sound, determined by its harmonics and its envelope, allowing the distinction of different instruments or voices.
Transposition — Functionality of a synthesizer or MIDI keyboard allowing to change the pitch of all notes played simultaneously, without changing their relative interval.
Tremolo — Audio effect rapidly modulating the amplitude of an audio signal to create a periodic variation in volume.
Triangle Wave — See Triangle Wave
U
Unison — Synthesis effect where multiple voices are played simultaneously with a slight pitch offset to create a richer and thicker sound.
V
VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier) — Amplifier whose gain is controlled by an electrical voltage, used in synthesizers to control the volume of sounds.
VCF (Voltage Controlled Filter) — Filter whose parameters are controlled by an electrical voltage, used in synthesizers to modulate the spectral characteristics of sound. Click here to read a complete article on filters.
VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) — Oscillator whose frequency is controlled by an electrical voltage, constituting the main sound source in many analog and digital synthesizers.
Velocity — Measure of how quickly a key is pressed on a MIDI keyboard, often used to control volume or other sound parameters.
Vibrato — Audio effect periodically modulating the pitch of a note to create a continuous variation in tone.
Voice — An electronic unit found in a synthesizer that determines how many notes it can play simultaneously (typically, the number of notes that can be played corresponds to the number of voices present)
Voltage — Electrical tension used to control various parameters in modular and analog synthesizers.
W
Waveform — Waveform, a graphical representation of the change in acoustic pressure over time, determining the tonal character of a sound
Waveshaper — An audio processing module that modifies the waveform of a signal to create distortions or unique sound textures.
Wavetable — See Wavetable Synthesis