GAIA Exploring Sound (PDF) - Roland Corporation Australia

The Importance of Shape
Just before we start to categorize these sounds, there are two
more useful terms. If you look again at each wave shape we have
shown so far they seem to repeat themselves across the screen.
This type of repetition we refer to as Periodic, and therefore we
call these waves Periodic Wave Shapes.
Try selecting the Wave called “Noise.” Does it look periodic? Can
you see anything that looks repetitive? Wave shapes like this are
called Aperiodic.
Now copy this table into your workbook or on to a piece of paper:
Wave Shape Character Sounds like?
Sawtooth brassy, string like Tuba (low range)
Square
Pulse
Triangle
Sine
We have provided a suggested answer for the sawtooth wave
merely as an example. Every person’s musical taste will differ, so
please feel free to write your own opinions for all shapes.
By far the most important point for this exercise is that you learn
to recognize each wave shape by its sound. As you cover later
lessons these sounds will become more familiar to you, but it
would be of great advantage to you if you can establish a sense
of recognition early.
By the way, a wave shape we call the Super Saw is also available.
Please try it. It is a unique sound used on a range of Roland
synthesizers for several years. However, at this stage it is difficult
to explain, so we will leave it for a later lesson.
Please try all the wave shapes, including their variations. With time
you will learn to recognize them all by their Tone Color. This
familiarity with their sound will be a powerful tool once you begin
making your own patches.
Noise
Firstly, notice the names we have given to each of the wave
forms. Can you see why we use these names?
Now complete the table. In the character column write down a
brief description of each sound. In the “sounds like” column write
down the name of the acoustic instrument that you believe
sounds most like each wave shape.
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