Subtractive synthesis

Subtractive synthesis is a method of sound synthesis in which partials of an audio signal (often one rich in harmonics) are attenuated by a filter to alter the timbre of the sound.

1. How does subtractive synthesis work?
2. What is the difference between additive and subtractive synthesis?
3. Is analog synthesis subtractive?
4. Is FM synthesis subtractive?

How does subtractive synthesis work?

Subtractive synthesis is one of the main types of synthesis. As its name implies, tones are created by subtracting unwanted frequencies, to form the sound that you're looking to produce. ... These elements form the key attributes of the sound that you're working to produce.

What is the difference between additive and subtractive synthesis?

The difference between additive and subtractive synthesis is that the latter deconstructs sounds rather than building it up. It uses filters to attenuate partials of an audio signal to create the timbre. ... Today, many digital and software synthesizers use subtractive synthesis.

Is analog synthesis subtractive?

Also known as "Analogue Synthesis", subtractive synthesis was the original synthesis method developed for the early synthesisers of the 1960's and 70's.

Is FM synthesis subtractive?

Put simply, FM synthesis involves the use of a modulator oscillator and a sine wave carrier oscillator. ... You can generate some subtractive synthesizer style sounds with FM synthesis, but it is difficult to recreate the sound of a resonant subtractive synthesizer filter with this method.