Sound Synthesis 101 Quiz

What is synthesis?

• A digital audio workstation

• A type of synthesizer

• A process of combining elements to form a connected whole

• A waveform shape

What does a synthesizer produce?

• Acoustic sounds

• Electrical signals

• Digital audio files

• Sounds by generating and combining electrical signals

What is a sine wave?

• A random jumble of frequencies

• A binary 'on/off' waveform

• A smooth, continuous curve representing a single frequency

• A sharp, triangular zig-zag waveform

What determines the pitch we hear from a wave?

• The envelope

• The oscillator

• The filter

• The time it takes to complete one oscillation, measured in hertz (Hz)

What is the difference between analog and digital synthesizers?

• Analog synthesizers generate sound from binary code

• Digital synthesizers generate sound directly from electricity

• Analog synthesizers generate sound directly from electricity

• Digital synthesizers cannot be used in modern music production

What is a monophonic synthesizer?

• A digital synthesizer

• A synthesizer with multiple oscillators

• A synthesizer that can only play one note at a time

• A synthesizer that can play chords

What does an LFO do?

• Generates an audible signal

• Transmits a high frequency for modulation

• Transmits a low frequency to add modulation

• Acts as a filter

What is subtractive synthesis?

• Modulating two oscillators

• Reducing portions of the full frequency range

• Using a sample of a single hit

• Combining multiple sine waves

What is FM synthesis known for?

• Rich, warm tones

• electronic-sounding, bright and dissonant tones

• Fat mono tones

• Acoustic instrument sounds

What is wavetable synthesis?

• A process of splitting a sound sample into short segments

• A type of synthesis that uses virtual analog technology

• Using different wave shapes to generate different sounds

• A method of generating sound from electrical signals