{"id":1374,"date":"2021-08-02T10:42:50","date_gmt":"2021-08-02T10:42:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mixxed.com\/blog\/?p=1374"},"modified":"2022-09-22T11:55:11","modified_gmt":"2022-09-22T11:55:11","slug":"how-does-additive-synthesis-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/create.routenote.com\/blog\/how-does-additive-synthesis-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Define Synthesis: How Does Additive Synthesis Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Additive Synthesis Explained <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, my selectors! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We know how synthesizers work<\/strong><\/a>, and we’ve explored subtractive synthesis<\/strong><\/a>. We’re hacking our way through the jungle of fundamentals<\/strong>, envelopes<\/strong>, oscillators<\/strong>, and frequencies<\/strong>. It seems only natural that we continue our journey up the estuary of additive synthesis<\/strong> we’ve now reached – kayaks at the ready! It’s time for an additive synthesis tutorial. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Define Synthesis Series<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How Do Synthesizers Work?<\/a><\/strong>

How Does Subtractive Synthesis Work?<\/a><\/strong>

How Does Additive Synthesis Work?<\/a><\/strong>

How Does FM Synthesis Work?<\/a><\/strong>

How Does Wavetable Synthesis Work?<\/a><\/strong>

How Does Vector Synthesis Work?<\/a><\/strong>

How Does AM Synthesis Work?<\/a><\/strong>

How Does Modular Synthesis Work?<\/a><\/strong>

How Does Granular Synthesis? <\/a><\/strong>

How Does Sample Based Synthesis Work?<\/a><\/strong>

How Does Spectral Synthesis Work?<\/a><\/strong>

How Do Vocoders Work?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additive Synthesis Basics <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Additive synthesis is the method of stacking individual soundwaves<\/strong> on top of one another to create a new sound. The most commonly used sound waves are sine waves<\/strong>, but you can use any sound wave<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This method brings opportunities to create interesting sounds via manipulating individual soundwaves<\/strong>.. Differing the length<\/strong>, pitch <\/strong>and amplitude <\/strong>of each soundwave and combining them allows you to create a unique sound<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Additive Synthesis Diagram, Source: Wikibooks<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What Are Partials? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Let’s get technical! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Partials <\/strong>are a cool name for individual soundwaves<\/strong> in the collective of soundwaves. So, rather than saying we combine soundwaves, we would say we combine partials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you’ll remember from our article on how synthesizers work<\/strong><\/a>, the fundamental<\/strong> is the pure tone of any frequency of a sound<\/strong> – which is what sine waves are. This is why we wouldn’t use a sine wave for subtractive synthesis, but we can use them for additive synthesis! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first partial, which is the fundamental frequency<\/strong>, is the most important waveform in your collection of partials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This fundamental frequency mainly determines the overall loudness<\/strong> and pitch <\/strong>of the final sound. The other partials, with their own frequencies and amplitudes, do also have an effect on these characteristics. But they have more of an impact on the final tone\/timbre<\/strong> of the sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each partial helps determine if a sound is bright or dark<\/strong>, mellow or harsh<\/strong>, etc. They can also affect the pitch, but adding partials at different pitches will give you more of a unique tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additive Synthesis Sound Applications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are a lot of opportunities with additive synthesis. A lot more than subtractive synthesis, for sure!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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