What Are Programmable Synthesizers?

Programmable music synthesizers have keyboards that create expression signals. These signals indicate the amount of pressure on the keyboard and then use the change in the length of an infrared path to produce an expression signal. The job of a synthesizer is to change electric signals that materialize as sound when used to operate audio amplifiers.

The tones are produced by electrical circuits. The job of the circuits is to alter the sound by forcing the signal through several oscillators and filters in an analog circuits in analog synthesizers. Synthesizers may also manipulate signals mathematically through the using either a microprocessor, a digital signal processor in digital synthesizers, or a combination of both.

The recording of a natural sound will differ drastically from synthesized recordings; however, by sampling a synthesizer the difference between the two becomes less obvious.

All sounds are made up of a combination of clean sine waves. For the most part, a single sound will consists of a frequency in addition to several overtones. These overtones often poses frequencies that are either integer multiples of original frequency, or subharmonics which are integer fractions of the original frequency. When the frequencies of normal instruments are analyzed, the range of their sounds will show spikes in amplitude at each original tone harmonics.

The harmonic amplitudes will differ from instrument to instrument. A sounds harmonic content is the specific set of harmonic versus amplitude pairs.

Presently there is a long list of programmable synthesizers that are currently available. Though all of the brands have recently introduced their newest products, this article will focus on three of the most popular and most commonly used programmable synthesizers.

S08 Programmable Synthesizer from Yamaha- The S08 uses a design with an 88-key balanced hammer with Initial Touch, in addition to full 64-note polyphony. The S08 is light weight and has a travel friendly design. This combined with the fact that it has a large variation of superior sounds, and its ability to store large amounts of memory makes this synthesizer a good toll for musicians from all walks of life, whether it’s being used as a primary or secondary instrument.

With this synthesizer, a user possesses the ability to create their own sounds and stock them in the one of the 128 user-voice memory positions. Chorus, reverb and variations, are three of the many onboard effects on the S08. Through the use of a big LCD screen, and controllers such as pitch bend, mod wheel and a numeric keypad, the S08 allows users implement all its functions in a quick and easy method.

Roland XP-30- The XP-30 implements sound sets from the well-liked JV-1080and JV-2080 as well as a long list of sound bits from the Orchestra, and Techno Collection expansion boards. The XP-30 has 61 speed sensitive keys with after touch; this is largely due to its two spots for SRJV80 expansion boards. The XP-30 also comes with built-in reverb, chorus, a collection of forty sound effects, and four onboard sliders that provide real time control, editing and patch finder, and phase preview functions.

Korg RADIAS- The Korg RADIAS has 49 keys and is a 24-key voice polyphonic programmable molding synthesizer. It is also a 16-band vocoder instrument which is based on the MMT molding and sound engine. This synthesizer comes quipped with several synthesis algorithms combined with a variety of effects, an advanced comb filter and wave shaping features, modulation sequencing, and format-motion vocoding. The RADIAS allows user to be creative using their custom configurable layout. Their control module may be used by itself or users may combine it with the distinctive keyboard it was intended to be used with. The RADIAS allows for the usage of up to date technology along with the convenience and familiarity of an old-school interface.