What is Software Synthesizer?

Information about Software Synthesizer

A software synthesizer, also known as a softsynth or virtual instrument is a computer program for digital audio generation. Computer software which can create sounds or music is not new, but advances in processing speed are allowing softsynths to accomplish the same tasks as dedicated hardware. Softsynths can be cheaper and more portable than dedicated hardware, and easier to interface with other music software such as music sequencers.

Hardware versus Software

Dedicated hardware synthesizers can have software as complex as a softsynth. The distinction is that softsynths run on a general purpose computer, usually with a sound card. The advantage to dedicated hardware is that it can be more stable, and also that it often has a user interface that is physical and therefore easier to manipulate during performances.

Types of Softsynths

One common type of softsynth is an emulator. There are a number of very popular synthesizers which are no longer manufactured. While some can be purchased second hand, many are expensive and temperamental. The emulation can even extend to having graphics that model the exact placements of controls. Popular synthesizers such as the Minimoog and Yamaha DX-7 have emulators.

Some softsynths are heavily sample based. Computers have fewer restrictions on memory than dedicated hardware synthesizers. Some of these sample based synthesizers come with sample libraries many GigaBytes in size. Some are specifically designed to mimic real world instruments such as pianos. Many sample libraries are available in a common format like WAV files, and can be used with almost any sampler based softsynth.

Plug-in compatibility

It's common for recent softsynths to be compatiable with technology such as Virtual Studio Technology (VST), which allow other music software to interface with the softsynth. Plug-in technologies include VST, DXi, Motu Audio System (MAS), Audio Units (AU), and Real Time AudioSuite (RTAS).

See also

A computer program is one or more instructions that are intended for execution by a computer. Specifically, it is a symbol or combination of symbols forming an algorithm that may or may not terminate, and that algorithm is written in a programming language.
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Digital audio uses digital signals for sound reproduction. This includes analog-to-digital conversion, digital-to-analog conversion, storage, and transmission.

Digital audio has emerged because of its usefulness in the recording, manipulation, mass-production, and
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A music sequencer (also MIDI sequencer or just sequencer) is software or hardware designed to create and manage electronic music.

Originally, music sequencers did not include the ability to record audio.
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Sound Card

A Sound Blaster Live! Value card, a typical present-day PCI sound card

Connects to:
  • Motherboard via one of

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The Minimoog is a monophonic analog synthesizer, invented by David van Koevering and Robert Moog. Released in 1970 by the original Moog Music, it was among the first widely available, portable and relatively affordable synthesizers.
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The Yamaha DX7 was a synthesizer manufactured by the Yamaha Corporation from 1983 to 1986, based on FM synthesis developed by John Chowning. It was the first commercially successful digital synthesizer, with its sound included in many recordings from the 1980s.
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Sample may refer to:
  • Sample (statistics), the part of a statistical population which is actually observed
  • Sample (probability), a collection of independent and identically-distributed random variables

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Waveform

File extension: .wav
MIME type: audio/wav
audio/wave
audio/x-wav
Type code: WAVE
Uniform Type Identifier: com.microsoft.
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For the television term, see .


Steinberg's Virtual Studio Technology and its acronym VST refer to an interface standard for connecting audio synthesizer and effect plugins to audio editors and hard-disk recording systems and also giving the
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Digital Performer is a full-featured Digital Audio Workstation/Sequencer software package published by Mark of the Unicorn (MOTU) of Cambridge, Massachusetts for the Apple Macintosh platform.
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Audio Units (AU) are a system-level plug-in architecture provided by Core Audio, a set of application programming interface services provided by Apple Computer's Mac OS X operating system.
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Real-Time AudioSuite (RTAS) is a format of audio plug-ins developed by Digidesign for their Pro Tools TDM, Pro Tools LE, and Pro Tools M-Powered systems. RTAS plug-ins use the processing power of the host computer.
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A digital audio editor is a computer application for audio editing, i.e. manipulating digital audio. Editors designed for use with music allow the user to do the following:

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A music sequencer (also MIDI sequencer or just sequencer) is software or hardware designed to create and manage electronic music.

Originally, music sequencers did not include the ability to record audio.
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A digital audio workstation (DAW) is a system designed to record, edit and play back digital audio. A key feature of DAWs is the ability to freely manipulate recorded sounds, much like a word processor manipulates typed words.
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