synthesizer
An electronic musical instrument, typically operated by a keyboard, that produces a wide variety of sounds by generating and combining electrical signals.
Synthesizers create sound from raw electrical waveforms (like sine, square, or sawtooth waves) and shape them using filters and envelopes.
Word relationships
- synth: Synth is the universally accepted, highly common abbreviation of synthesizer, used in both casual and professional settings.
Commonly confused with
- organ: An organ produces sound via pipes or simple tone wheels, whereas a synthesizer uses electronic circuitry to synthesize entirely new timbres.
Word family
- synthesize (verb): To produce sound electronically, or to combine elements into a coherent whole.
- synthesis (noun): The process of combining electronic signals to create sound.
Collocations
- analog synthesizer
- monophonic synthesizer
- synthesizer patch
Example sentences
- "The warm, drifting chords of the analog synthesizer gave the track a nostalgic, retro-futuristic feel." A review of an 80s synth-pop album.
- "He patched a cable from the synthesizer's low-frequency oscillator to the filter cutoff to create a wobbling bass effect." A technical description of sound synthesis.
Memory hook
A synthesizer synthesizes (puts together) raw electrical waves to make beautiful music. Synthesize raw electricity into sweet melodies.
When not to use
Do not use when referring to an acoustic instrument or a simple playback device like a CD player.
Fun facts
- The first synthesizers were so massive they took up entire rooms and required physical patch cables, similar to an old telephone switchboard, to make a single sound.
Explore more words
Synthesis, amplification, synthesize, acoustic, timbre, equalization
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