Sound Synthesis and Sampling, 2nd Edition

6  Using synthesis

The chapters so far have concentrated on the theory behind the methods of synthesis. This chapter deals with the use of synthesis to make music and other sounds, whilst Chapter 7 looks at how synthesizers are controlled, and Chapter 8 covers performance.

6.1  Arranging

At the simplest level, the user interacts with the synthesizer to produce sounds. This often means directly controlling the synthesizer directly by using a keyboard or other controller. The synthesist is thus carrying out a role which is analogous to that of a player in an orchestra.

But when the control is indirect, as in remotely controlling a synthesizer by using musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) or other computer-based means, then the role is much ...