Glossary: Additive Synthesis

Expert Center > Glossary > Additive Synthesis

«Back to Glossary Menu

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9

Additive Synthesis: The process of constructing a complex sound using a series of fundamental frequencies (pure tones or sine waves). Each of the fundamental frequencies usually has its own amplitude envelope which allows independent control of each partial (harmonic). Pipe organs or Hammond organs are both instruments which are based on additive synthesis. Some modern synthesizers have employed additive synthesis techniques, but other techniques such as FM (see WFTD archive FM Synthesis) and physical modeling (see WFTD archive Physical Modeling Synthesis) have proven to be easier to develop and still very effective at producing a wide variety of sounds.

A & R	A-B Stereo	A-Time
A-weighted	A/B	A440
AAC - Advanced Audio Coding (also MPEG-2 AAC)	AAF	Abalam
Abalone	ABS	Absolute Phase
Absorption	Absorption Coefficient	Alternating Current (AC)
AC-1	AC-2	AC-3
Academy Curve	A cappella	Accent
Access Time	Accidental	Accompaniment
Accumulator	Accutronics Reverb	Acetate
Acoustic Lens	Acoustic Suspension	Acoustic Treatment
ACPI	Action	Actionflo
Active	Active Sensing	Actuator
Adagio	ADAT	ADAT/FST
ADAT Optical	ADB	A/D Converter (ADC)
Additive Synthesis	Adjusto-Matic	ADPCM
ADR	ADSR	Aeolian Harp
Aerophone	AES	AES/EBU
AES3	AES3id	AES42-2001
AFL	AFM	Aftertouch
AFTRA	AGC	Aggregate Device
Aging Toner	Agitato	Agoya
AGP	AHDSFR	AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format)
AIR	AIT	Alder
Alder	Aleatoric Music (Composition)	Algorithm
Alias	Aliasing	Alkaline Battery
All-Button Mode	All-Notes-Off	Allegro
Alnico	Alteration	Altered Chord
Alternate Tuning	Alto	AM
Ambience	Ambisonics	Amen Break
Amperage	Ampere	Amp Head
Amplifier	Amplifier, Instrument	Amplitude
Amplitude Modulation	AMS	Analog
Analog Sequencer	Analog Synthesizer	Anamorphic
Andante	Anechoic	Anode
Anodize	Anodized	ANSI
ANSI A-Weighting	Antecedent and Consequence	Antenna
Antenna gain	Anti-Imaging Filter	Anti-Aliasing Filter
Anti-node	Aperiodic	API
Apoyando	Apple Talk	Application (Program)
Architecture	Archival Stability	Archtop Guitar
Arco	ARP Avatar	Arpeggiator
Arpeggio	ARP String Ensemble	Arrangement
Articulation	Artifact	Artificial (or Automated) Double Tracking or ADT)
ASCAP	ASCII	Ash
Ashtray Bridge Cover	ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)	ASIO
Aspect Ratio	Asperity	ASPI
Asynchronous	ATA	ATA-2
ATA 66/100/120	ATAPI	Absolute Time Code
Atonal Music	ATRAC	ATRAC
Attack	Attenuation	Audio
Audiobook	Audiology	Audio RIP
Audio Suite	AudioUnits	Audiowire
Auditory Cortex	Augmented Interval	Auranomic
Author	Authorize	Auto Accompaniment
Autolocate/Autolocator	Automata	Automatic Mixer
Automation	Auto Punch	Aux Send
AVI	AWG (American Wire Gauge)	AWM
Axe	Axial Room Mode	Azure Noise