Pros
Additive synthesis provides the maximum flexibility in the types
of sound that can be synthesized.
In certain cases, it can realize tones that are
``indistinguishable from real tones.''
Cons
It is often necessary to do signal analysis before using additive
synthesis to produce specific sounds.
Often requires many oscillators to produce
good quality sounds--computationally demanding!
Attacks difficult.
Many functions are useful only for a limited range of
pitch and loudness, e.g.:
- the timbre of a piano played at A4 is different from
one played at A2;
- the timbre of a trumpet played loudly is quite
different from one played softly at the same pitch.
``Music 171: Additive Synthesis''
by Tamara Smyth,
Department of Music, University of California, San Diego (UCSD).
Download PDF version (addSynth171.pdf)
Download compressed PostScript version (addSynth171.ps.gz)
Download PDF `4 up' version (addSynth171_4up.pdf)
Download compressed PostScript `4 up' version (addSynth171_4up.ps.gz)
Copyright © 2019-10-22 by Tamara Smyth.
Please email errata, comments, and suggestions to Tamara Smyth<trsmyth@ucsd.edu>