I am currently in the process of compiling an extensive list of synth terms. I would greatly appreciate your sugguestions in order to help me build an accurate and comprehensive list. If there is anything you feel requires addition or amendment please leave a comment using the form below. Many thanks.

Harmonic Content Morphing or HCM

Harmonic content morphing is new synthesis method which involves taking snapshots of harmonic content created by real acoustic instruments and using these snapshots as oscillation sources. This technique was introduced by Tone 2 although other synths have utilized this technique in one form or another. Claims are made that HCM synthesis provides the "ability to mimic the sound of real life instruments like guitars and pianos", however it is more common to use these sounds in combination with FM synthesis to create unique sounds with expandable sonic territories. Many dubstep producers utilize this technique.

Resynthesis

Resynthesis is a complex process that involves analyzing the frequency of a recorded sound and resynthesizing a representation of the sound using additive synthesis techniques. By doing so the user can manipulate the various partials of the sound such as the frequency, timbre and amplitude. A vocoder is a common example of resynthesis.

Polyphony

If a synth is polyphonic it has the ability to play more that one note at a time (chord etc). Many modern synths have 16, 24 or 32-note polyphony. Therefore if a synth has only monophonic capabilities it can only play one note at a time.

Patch

A synth patch is a ready made synthesised sound and may also referred to as a preset, program, algorithm or timbre

Multitimbral

If a synth has multitimbral capabilities it can produce two or more different patches/timbres simultaneously.

Legato

Many synths have a legato setting which allows for a smooth transition from note to note. If the notes played overlap, the envelope settings, specifically the attack is ignored.

Types of Synthesis

Additive Synthesis

Additive synthesis is where sounds are constructed from the ground up. This method starts with a single waveform and is then built up by adding other waveforms and modulation sources etc. Examples of Additive synthesizers include:

• Cameleon 5000 v1.7
• Kawai K5000
• Synclavier
• VirSyn Cube
• Morphine
• WNAdditive etc

Subtractive Synthesis

Subtractive synthesis is basically the opposite. Here you start with a wave form rich with harmonics such as a saw tooth or square wave and filter out frequencies in order to achieve the desired results.

Examples of subtractive synthesizers include:
Early Moogs, TB-303, Roland Jupiter series etc.

Granular Synthesis

Granular synthesis is principally based around very quickly modulating tiny grains of sound, from an audio file for example. There are several parameters that can alter the sound such as envelope, frequency, duration and location within the audio file used.
The type of sound that granular synthesis creates is not a single tone but a rich morphing collection of tones.
 

Examples of Granular synthesizers include:
Grain Cloud – Reaktor

Frequency Modulation (FM) Synthesis

Frequency modulation is where the output signal from one oscillator, oscillates the frequency of another oscillator (the carrier signal). FM synthesis was a very popular in early synthesizers.

Examples of FM synthesizers include:
Yamaha DX7

Amplitude Modulation (AM) Synthesis

Amplitude modulation consists of combining two signals together. A unipolar modulation signal (a signal that contains only positive values) is used to modulate the source signal which is referred to as the carrier. The obvious difference between frequency modulation and amplitude modulation is that one modulates the frequency of the carrier while the other modulates the amplitude (volume).

Ring Modulation (RM) Synthesis

Ring modulation is very similar to amplitude modulation with the exception that it uses a bipolar modulation signal (a signal that contains both positive and negative values). One of the resulting effects of using a bipolar modulation signal is that it cancels out the carrier signal. Ring modulation is often used by vocoders in order to recreate a “robotic” vocal effect.

Wavetable Synthesis

Wavetable synthesis uses segments of real audio sounds such as a note from a guitar. A sequence of related sounds are collected and organised into a table like structure. When the user presses a key on their keyboard a sample will be triggered from that table based on the key and velocity of the played note. In addition to both the key and velocity, duration is also taken into consideration. In this case loop points are specified within the sustain segment of the wave. This part will loop until the user releases the key.

• Examples of Wavetable synthesis include:
• Roland XV 50/80 – 30/80 etc.
• SampleTank
• Edirol Soundcanvas/ Orchestral etc.

Physical Modeling (PhM) Synthesis

Physical modelling synthesis is an attempt to artificially recreate real life sounds using complex mathematical equations.

Examples of PhM synthesizers include:
Sculpture (Logic)

Vector synthesis

Vector synthesis is a method of dynamically morphing several sounds into one another at varying times. Thus creating movement in the sound.

Examples of Vector synthesis synthesizers include:
ES2 (Logic)