3.5

Table Of Contents
711MainStage Instruments
Subtractive synthesizer components
The front panel of most subtractive synthesizers provides similar signal-generating and
processing modules—coupled with a number of modulation and control modules. The
signal-generating and processing modules typically run from left to right, mirroring the
synthesizer signal flow.
Signal-generating and processing components
Oscillators: Generate the basic signal. This is usually a waveform that is rich in
harmonics. See Oscillators. Many synthesizers provide more than one oscillator, and
almost all synthesizer oscillators can generate several waveform types.
Filter section: Used to alter the basic signal by filtering out (removing) portions of the
frequency spectrum. Many synthesizers have a single filter that is applied universally to
all oscillator signals. Multioscillator synthesizers can provide multiple filters, allowing
each oscillator signal to be filtered in a different way. See Filters overview.
Amplifier section: Used to control the level of the signal over time. The amplifier has a
module known as an envelope, which is divided into several elements that provide level
control for the beginning, middle, and end portions of your sound. Simple synthesizers
generally have a single envelope, which is used to control the oscillator (and filter)
over time. More complex synthesizers can provide multiple envelopes. See Amplifier
envelope overview.
Modulation and control components
Modulators: Used to modulate the signal-generating and processing components.
Modulations can be machine-based—automatically generated by a synthesizer
component—or can be manually activated by using the modulation wheel, for example.
Most synthesizers have a component called an LFO (low frequency oscillator) to provide
a waveform that modulates the signal. See Modulation overview.
Global controls: Set the overall characteristics of your synthesizer sound, such as
tuning, glides between notes, pitch bends, and monophonic or polyphonic playback.
See Global controls.