INTRODUCTION TO SYNTHESIZERS - hol.gr

Virtual Effects Rack in VST
This is all performed in a completely open-ended system
allowing the users to add modules such as synthesizers,
vocoders or fuzz-boxes while never leaving the digital
domain.
These modules are simply installed with a few mouseclicks
- no cables required!
Finally all you need is a CD-burner to start creating your own records with your own music for distribution!
Software-synthesizers
Computers have evolved a great deal from the days when their sonic capacity was all about tiny electronic
beeps and noises. Almost all modern 16-bit sound cards are capable of creating highly complex sounds. Many
sound cards can also be used as regular synthesizers on their own.
They can often create sound by either "frequency modulation" (FM) or by "wavetable synthesis". The first
method is a purely synthetic method, and the latter a sample based method, where the sounds are based on
real live samples of acoustic sounds.
With the introduction of higher-performance personal computers, you can use the main CPU of your computer
together with a decent sound-card to perform music synthesis, rather than depending on dedicated hardware.
For a computer with sufficient processing power, such a software synthesizer can match or beat the functionality
and sound quality of many dedicated hardware synthesizers. There are numerous software synthesizers
available today, such as the VAZ Modular, the ReBirth RB-338 or the new stunning Reason.
All this is made possible by the increased power of today's standard personal computers. What previously
required an investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars can now be realized with a couple of thousands! This
revolutionary music technology is available for anyone today, and the only limitation to what can be achieved is
your own imagination.
Drum machines
A drum machine is very much like any synthesizer. The main difference is that while a synthesizer is a generic
musical instrument, drum machines are dedicated to create drum and percussion sounds.
Instead of piano style keys, drum machines are usually
equipped with touch sensitive pads, which you can hit
with your fingers, or even with drumsticks.
The drum sounds are usually samples of real percussion
instruments, like bass drum, snare drum, toms and
cymbals.
Casio RZ-1 Drum Machine
Of course it is not very easy to play complete drum parts by tapping with your fingers in time. Drum machines
are therefore almost always equipped with built in sequencers. With the sequencer, you can program rhythm
patterns and append these into songs. A pattern is often just one bar of rhythm, while a song is a complete
composition.
The era of drum machines seemed to be over just a year ago. Modern synthesizers and samplers are capable of
creating the most exquisite drum sounds. With the aid of computers, music software and samplers, musicians
can even use complete and intricate rhythm loops in their compositions.
But now it seems more likely that the drum machine will continue to survive in a new shape, mostly aimed
towards dance-oriented music.
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