Introduction to Synthesis
Synthesis is the art and science of creating sounds electronically. Understanding the fundamental building blocks of synthesis will unlock your ability to design any sound you can imagine.
The 5 Core Concepts
Each concept below is essential to understanding how synthesizers work. Click on each to explore interactive demonstrations and detailed explanations:
- Oscillators - The sound source that generates waveforms
- Filters - Shape and sculpt the frequency content
- Envelopes - Control how sounds change over time
- LFO - Add movement and modulation
- Amplifiers - Control the final volume and dynamics
Why These Concepts Matter
Every synthesizer, from vintage analog to modern digital, uses these same fundamental concepts. Master these five building blocks, and you'll be able to understand and program any synthesizer you encounter.
Click on each concept above to dive deeper with interactive examples!