Synthesizers are instruments that help people create and then play various sounds. These tools generally require external sound boxes, but not all the models are the same. They come with many different features, functions and capabilities. There are three main categories these musical tools fall into: analog, software and digital. With an analog synthesizer the sound waves are modeled in continuous voltages at various proportions, while a digital one will use separate information units. And lastly, a software synthesizer uses specialized software for mixing sounds.
Nevertheless, these three types can be assimilated, creating a hybrid synthesizer, with different synthesis methods and techniques, such as subtractive, physical modeling, granular, phase distortion, sample based, additive, frequency modulation and sub-harmonic synthesis.
The first electronic synthesizer was invented in 1876 by Elisha Gray. After this, many other experiments started to take place, and so different types of syntheiszers have been invented. For instance, the Microtonal Electronic keyboard was invented in 1937 by Ivor Darreg, while the ANS model was developed by a scientist named Evgeny Murzin. Presently, this last model is still preserved at Moscow’s Lomonosov University.
After the year 1960, the development of such gadgets had significantly increased in intensity. However, they were so large in size that they could only be kept inside professional studios. And yet the models nowadays are all digital, and since they are way more advanced than the previous models, a whole song can now be arranged on a synthesizer, with many different acoustic effects.
You may also have the option to choose the sound effect to be applied on the track, such as people talking, moving trains, or the sound of applause.
Modern synthesizers allow you to create and record new sound effects, which is one of the reasons why they are so popular in the music industry. Synthesized music is growing day by day, and even films are now put together with songs created using this technology. The first song that was fully synthesized was “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” in a James Bond movie in the year 1969.
Synthesizers nowadays provide you with even more features, such as recording and playing what you have just played instantly. This can be simply done by recording sounds on CDs, which are now basic features with any modern synthesizer. When it comes to sound balancing, these musical tools offer a wide range of options, enabling you to balance sound without any professional help. So if you are seriously considering creating your own sounds, this is the right choice to take your hobby to the next level.
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