Distortion synthesis
Distortion synthesis is a group of sound synthesis techniques which modify existing sounds to produce more complex sounds (or timbres), usually by using non-linear circuits or mathematics.[1]
While some synthesis methods achieve sonic complexity by using many oscillators, distortion methods create a frequency spectrum which has many more components than oscillators.
Some distortion techniques are: FM synthesis,[2] waveshaping synthesis,[3][4] and discrete summation formulas.[5]
FM synthesis
[edit | edit source]Frequency modulation synthesis distorts the carrier frequency of an oscillator by modulating it with another signal. The distortion can be controlled by means of a modulation index.[6]
The method known as phase distortion synthesis is similar to FM.
Waveshaping synthesis
[edit | edit source]Waveshaping synthesis changes an original waveform by responding to its amplitude in a non-linear fashion.[7][8] It can generate a bandwidth-limited spectrum, and can be continuously controlled with an index.
Discrete summation formulas
[edit | edit source]DSF synthesis refers to algorithmic synthesis methods which use mathematical formulas to sum, or add together, many numbers to achieve a desired wave shape.[9] This powerful method allows, for example, synthesizing a 3-formant voice in a manner similar to FM voice synthesis.[10] DSF allows the synthesis of harmonic and inharmonic, band-limited or unlimited spectra, and can be controlled by an index. As Roads points out, by reducing digital synthesis of complex spectra to a few parameters, DSF can be much more economical.[11]
Notable users
[edit | edit source]Jean-Claude Risset was one notable pioneer in the adoption of distortion methods.
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Nb. Some authors refer to these techniques as 'modulation synthesis'; e.g. Chapter 6 of Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Dodge 1997, pp.115-138
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Dodge 1997, pp.139-157
- ^ Dodge 1997, pp.158-168
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Arfib, D. 1979. "Digital synthesis of complex spectra by means of multiplication of non-linear distorted sine waves." Journal of the Audio Engineering Society 27: 10.
- ^ Marc Le Brun. "Digital Waveshaping Synthesis" in Journal of the Audio Engineering Society, 27(4), 1979, p250-266.
- ^ Moorer, J. A. (November 1976). "The Synthesis of Complex Audio Spectra by Means of Discrete Summation Formulae". Journal of the Audio Engineering Society, 27(4), pp.717-727.
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ C. Roads 1996, p.260-61.
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
External links
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