synthesizer

Also known as sound synthesizer, synth, musical synthesizer, synthesiser, sound synthesiser

thumb|Early Minimoog by R.A. Moog Inc. ()

AI overview

A synthesizer is an electronic musical instrument that generates and manipulates sounds using electrical signals, allowing musicians to create and shape tones that would be difficult or impossible to produce with acoustic instruments. It matters because synthesizers fundamentally expanded the possibilities of music-making, enabling new genres and artistic expressions while becoming essential tools in modern music production across many styles.

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Wikidata facts

Image: Micromoog.jpg

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Stack Exchange tag: stackoverflow.com/tags/synthesizer
Commons gallery: Synthesizer
MCN code: 9207.10.10
Commons category: Synthesizers
Hornbostel-Sachs classification: 53

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~24 min read

Article

28 sections

Contents

History
Precursors
1960s: Early years
1970s: Portability, polyphony and patch memory
1980s: Digital technology
1990s–present: Software synthesizers and analog revival
Impact
Rock
African-American music
Electronic music
Pop
Film and television
Jobs
Components
Oscillators
Voltage-controlled amplifiers
Envelopes
Low-frequency oscillators
Filters
Arpeggiators
Controllers
Clones
See also
Further reading
References
Citations
Sources
External links

thumb|Early Minimoog by R.A. Moog Inc. ()

A synthesizer (also synthesiser or synth) is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals. Synthesizers typically create sounds by generating waveforms through methods including subtractive synthesis, additive synthesis, and frequency modulation synthesis. These sounds may be altered by components such as filters, which cut or boost frequencies; envelopes, which control articulation, or how notes begin and end; and low-frequency oscillators, which modulate parameters such as pitch, volume, or filter characteristics affecting timbre. Synthesizers are typically played with keyboards or controlled by sequencers, software or other instruments, and can be synchronized to other equipment via MIDI.