This document discusses the important modules of a synthesizer. It introduces the oscillator, filter, amplifier, envelope, and LFO as the five main modules. The oscillator generates the sound waves, the filter selects frequencies to reduce or amplify, the amplifier controls volume, the envelope determines attack/decay/sustain/release, and the LFO modulates the oscillator for effects like vibrato. In conclusion, the author recommends experimenting with these modules in a DAW to better understand synthesizer operation.

1. Introduction to Music
Production
Lesson 6 – Important Synthesis Modules
Presented by Saijal Dullabh

2. Contents
 Introduction
 What is a Synthesizer?
 Oscillator
 Filter
 Amplifier
 Envelope
 LFO
 Conclusion/Reflection
 References
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Introduction to Music Production
Lesson 6 – Important Synthesis Modules

3. Introduction
Hello again! We’ve made it to the final week…and it feels pretty good! For the last time, I am Saijal
from South Africa. This time around I’ll be doing a presentation on some of the important modules found
on a synthesizer.
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Introduction to Music Production
Lesson 6 – Important Synthesis Modules

4. What is a Synthesiser?
 A synthesizer (synth for short) is an electronic musical instrument. It generates electric signals
which are converted to sound.
 They can either imitate (or synthesize) other instruments or sounds such as an airplane, car and
even sounds that don’t exist in the natural world.
Today I’ll discuss the 5 most important modules of a synth.
 Oscillator
 Filter
 Amplifier
 LFO
 Envelope
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Introduction to Music Production
Lesson 6 – Important Synthesis Modules

5. Oscillator (VCO)
 The Oscillator or Voltage Controlled Oscillator is responsible for creating the sound.
 In its basic form these sound waves are usually Sine, Saw-Tooth, Square or Triangle waves.
 Sine waves produces mild, soft tones.
 Saw-Tooth waves create a rich buzzy sound.
 Square waves have a rich sound that’s not as buzzy as the Saw but also not as pure as the Sine wave.
 Triangle waves sound like something between the Sine and Square waves.
 We also get Pulse waves and Noise.
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Introduction to Music Production
Lesson 6 – Important Synthesis Modules

6. Filter (VCF)
 The Filter or Voltage Controlled Filter module allows you to select a range of frequencies of a sound
and either reduce or amplify the selected range.
 The most common types of filters are:
 Low Pass – Allows the lower frequencies to pass through while reducing the higher frequencies.
 High Pass – Allows the higher frequencies to pass through while reducing the lower frequencies.
 Band Pass – Allows frequencies within a certain band to go through.
 Notch – Frequencies within a band are reduced.
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Introduction to Music Production
Lesson 6 – Important Synthesis Modules

7. Amplifier (VCA)
 After starting off in the oscillator and travelling through the filter module, the sound makes it’s way
to the he Amplifier or Voltage Controlled Amplifier module.
 It amplifies the sound before the output and works in conjunction with the another module called
the Envelope.
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Introduction to Music Production
Lesson 6 – Important Synthesis Modules

8. Envelope
 An envelope is a set path that runs every time a key is pressed. It is also know as ADSR – Attack,
Delay, Sustain and Release.
 Attack Time - Time taken for the sound to go from zero to full value when a key is pressed.
 Decay Time – Time taken for the sound to go from full value to a sustained level.
 Sustain Level – The level at which the sound will be played while the key is pressed.
 Release Time – Time taken for the sound to go from the sustained level to zero.
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Introduction to Music Production
Lesson 6 – Important Synthesis Modules

9. LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator)
 An LFO generates a signal that is lower the 20Hz.
 Just as the enveloped worked in conjunction with the VCA, the LFO primarily works in conjunction
with the VCO – or more accurately- it is a modulator for the VCO.
 Since the signal generated by an LFO is below the human hearing range we cannot hear it but we
can hear the effect is has on the oscillator.
 LFO’s are often used in Vibrato, Tremolo and other effects.
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Introduction to Music Production
Lesson 6 – Important Synthesis Modules

10. Conclusion and Reflection
 There is definitely more to say when it comes to Synthesizers but I think once you have the basic
understanding of what was covered here & in the video lectures, the best thing to do is to go to your
DAW and in your synthesizer identify the modules covered - experiment with them as much as
possible.
 So that is the final assignment. It’s been a great learning experience. I’ve learnt a lot from this
course (your presentations, video assignments etc. included!) on all of the topics that we covered.
For the last time, thank you reading this and I look forward to your comments in the assessment. All
the best for the final exam!!!
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Introduction to Music Production
Lesson 6 – Important Synthesis Modules

11. References
 https://documentation.apple.com/en/logicexpress/instruments/index.html#chapter=A%26section=2
%26tasks=true
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthesizer
 http://www.explainthatstuff.com/synthesizers.html
 http://beausievers.com/synth/synthbasics/
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Introduction to Music Production
Lesson 6 – Important Synthesis Modules