Synth Jargon Decoded: LFOs, Arpeggiators, and Other Must-Know Terms
Glossary of synthesizer terms and jargon to help beginners understand the world of synthesizers and electronic music production.
LEARNSYNTHESIZERS
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ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) - The four stages of an envelope that shape a sound’s evolution over time.
Additive Synthesis - A synthesis method that builds complex sounds by combining simple sine waves.
Algorithm - A specific arrangement of operators or functions in FM synthesis or modular systems.
Alias/ Aliasing - Unwanted digital artifacts caused by insufficient sample rates when generating high frequencies.
Analog Synthesizer - A synth that generates sound using analog circuits and components like oscillators and filters.
Arpeggiator - A feature that plays the notes of a chord in a programmed sequence or pattern.
Attack - The initial stage of a sound, describing how quickly it reaches its peak level.
Audio Rate - Frequencies in the audible range (20 Hz–20 kHz) used for generating sound.
A
B
Bandpass Filter - A filter that allows only a specific range of frequencies to pass through.
Bit Depth - The resolution of digital audio, affecting its dynamic range and fidelity.
BPM (Beats Per Minute) - The speed of a track or arpeggiator pattern, measured in beats per minute.
Carrier - In FM synthesis, the oscillator that produces the base sound modified by the modulator.
Chorus - An effect that thickens sound by duplicating it and slightly detuning or delaying the copies.
Cutoff Frequency - The frequency at which a filter begins to reduce the amplitude of a signal.
CV (Control Voltage) - A signal used to control parameters in analog synthesizers.
Decay - The second stage of an envelope, defining how quickly the sound drops from its peak to the sustain level.
Detune - Adjusting the pitch of oscillators slightly apart to create a thicker sound.
Digital Synthesizer - A synth that generates sound using digital signal processing (DSP).
Distortion - An effect that alters a signal to create a more aggressive or gritty sound.
Drone - A sustained or repeating note or sound.
Dual Oscillator - A synthesizer with two oscillators for creating richer, layered sounds.
Envelope - A tool that modulates the amplitude, filter, or pitch of a sound over time.
Envelope Generator - A module that generates an envelope, often with ADSR parameters.
Equalization (EQ) - Adjusting the balance of different frequency components in a sound.
Expander - A dynamic processor that increases the dynamic range of a signal.
C
D
E
F
Filter - A module that shapes the timbre of a sound by removing certain frequencies.
FM Synthesis (Frequency Modulation) - A synthesis method where one oscillator modulates the frequency of another.
Formant - A resonance in the frequency spectrum, often used in vocal synthesis.
Frequency - The rate at which a waveform repeats, measured in Hertz (Hz).
G
Gain - The level of amplification applied to a signal.
Gate - A signal that triggers or holds a note on in a synthesizer.
Granular Synthesis - A synthesis method that creates sound by manipulating small "grains" of audio.
H
Harmonics - Frequencies that are multiples of a fundamental frequency, creating the timbre of a sound.
High-Pass Filter - A filter that allows frequencies above a certain point to pass through while cutting lower ones.
I
Input Gain - The level of a signal entering a synthesizer or audio processor.
Interface - A device or software used to control synthesizers and connect them to a computer.
Interpolation - A process used in digital synthesis to smooth transitions between data points.
J
Jitter - Variations in timing that can affect the quality of a digital signal.
K
Key Follow/Key Tracking - A function that modulates a parameter (e.g., filter cutoff) based on the key being played.
Keyboard Split - Dividing a keyboard into zones to control different sounds or instruments.
L
LFO (Low-Frequency Oscillator) - An oscillator operating below the audible range, used for modulation.
Low-Pass Filter - A filter that allows frequencies below a certain point to pass through while cutting higher ones.
M
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) - A protocol for communication between synthesizers and other devices.
Modulation - The process of changing a parameter (e.g., pitch, filter cutoff) over time.
Modulation Matrix - A routing system for assigning modulation sources to destinations.
Monophonic - A synthesizer that can play only one note at a time.
Multitimbral - The ability of a synthesizer to play multiple different patches simultaneously.
N
Noise Generator - A module that generates white, pink, or other types of noise.
Notch Filter - A filter that removes a narrow band of frequencies.
O
Octave - A doubling or halving of a frequency, creating a perceived "same note" in a higher or lower pitch.
Oscillator - A module that generates basic waveforms (e.g., sine, square, sawtooth).
Overdrive - A type of distortion effect that simulates the sound of a pushed amplifier.
P
Pan - The placement of a sound in the stereo field (left/right).
Patch - A preset or sound configuration on a synthesizer.
Phase - The position of a waveform in its cycle, often used in modulation effects.
Physical Modeling - A synthesis method that simulates real-world acoustic instruments.
Polyphonic - A synthesizer that can play multiple notes simultaneously.
Portamento - A glide effect between two notes.
Preset - A pre-configured sound on a synthesizer.
Q
Q (Resonance) - The amount of emphasis or boost at the cutoff frequency of a filter.
Quantization - Adjusting note timing to fit a musical grid.
R
Release - The final stage of an envelope, defining how long a sound takes to fade out after a key is released.
Resonance - Boosting the frequencies at a filter’s cutoff point, creating a sharper sound.
Ring Modulation - A synthesis technique that combines two signals to create metallic or bell-like tones.
S
Sample & Hold - A module that holds a random voltage value until triggered to change.
Sawtooth Wave - A waveform with both even and odd harmonics, producing a bright, buzzy sound.
Sequencer - A tool for programming and playing back sequences of notes or parameters.
Sub Oscillator - A secondary oscillator tuned one octave lower to add depth to a sound.
Sustain - The third stage of an envelope, defining the level a sound maintains after the decay stage.
Sync - Locking one oscillator’s phase to another for complex timbres.
Synthesizer - An electronic instrument that generates sound.
T
Tempo - The speed of a sequence or track, measured in BPM.
Threshold - The level at which an effect (e.g., compression) is triggered.
Timbre - The character or color of a sound.
Triangle Wave - A waveform with only odd harmonics, producing a softer sound.
U
Unison - Multiple voices playing the same note to create a thicker sound.
USB MIDI - MIDI communication via USB.
V
VCA (Voltage-Controlled Amplifier) - An amplifier controlled by a voltage signal, often shaped by an envelope.
VCF (Voltage-Controlled Filter) - A filter whose cutoff frequency is modulated by a control voltage.
VCO (Voltage-Controlled Oscillator) - An oscillator whose pitch is controlled by a voltage signal.
Velocity - The force with which a key is pressed, often controlling volume or timbre.
Vibrato - A periodic modulation of pitch.
Virtual Analog - Digital synthesizers that emulate analog sound.
W
Waveform - The shape of a sound wave, determining its harmonic content.
Wavetable Synthesis - A synthesis method using pre-recorded waveforms stored in tables.
White Noise - Random noise containing all frequencies equally.
X
XLR - A type of audio connector used for balanced signals.
Y
Yamaha DX7 - A famous FM synthesizer that popularized digital synthesis.
Z
Zero Crossing - A point where a waveform passes through zero amplitude, often used in looping or editing samples.
Zoning - Dividing a keyboard into sections for different patches or sounds.
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