APPENDIX A: THE DIGITONE FM SYNTHESIS
77
Saw
(All partials)
Saw reduction
Odd/Even Mix
Square
(Odd partials)
Square
reduction
Bell
The Digitone uses a form of additive synthesis to create the harmonic series for the HARM parameter. Addi-
tive synthesis is one of the oldest forms of electronic sound generation. It is a quite simple form of synthesis
but still very powerful. The basic principle is to add multiple sine waves together to form complex timbres.
Each sine wave is called a partial. Typically, each part is one octave above the previous. You retain the
frequency of the tone by keeping the partials spread across octaves. By attenuating each partial, the timbre
changes its harmonic content, resulting in different waveforms.
The first partial is always
kept at full volume, which
keeps the base octave
intact.
The first partial is always
kept at full volume,
which keeps the base
octave intact.
Adding every partial in
series will replicate a
sawtooth. Note how the
volume decreases for
each partial, creating a
natural falloff.
Adding every odd partial in
series will approximate a
squarewave.
This method can be used
to make all sorts of timbres.
This for example sounds
close to a bell tone.
Adding every partial in
series will replicate a saw-
tooth. Note how the volume
decreases for each partial,
creating a natural falloff.
The first partial is always
kept at full volume,
which keeps the base
octave intact.
Adding every partial in
series will replicate a
sawtooth. Note how the
volume decreases for
each partial, creating a
natural falloff.
Adding every odd partial in
series will approximate a
squarewave.
This method can be used
to make all sorts of timbres.
This for example sounds
close to a bell tone.
Adding every odd partial in
series will approximate a
square wave.
The first partial is always
kept at full volume,
which keeps the base
octave intact.
Adding every partial in
series will replicate a
sawtooth. Note how the
volume decreases for
each partial, creating a
natural falloff.
Adding every odd partial in
series will approximate a
squarewave.
This method can be used
to make all sorts of timbres.
This for example sounds
close to a bell tone.
The additive method can be
used to make many different
timbres. This combination of
partials, for example, sounds
close to a bell tone.
The first partial is always
kept at full volume,
which keeps the base
octave intact.
Adding every partial in
series will replicate a
sawtooth. Note how the
volume decreases for
each partial, creating a
natural falloff.
Adding every odd partial in
series will approximate a
squarewave.
This method can be used
to make all sorts of timbres.
This for example sounds
close to a bell tone.
A.7 SYN1 PAGE 1 PARAMETERS OVERVIEW
Here is a graphical overview of what part of the FM engine the parameters on the SYN1 pages affects. The
affected part of the FM engine is highlighted with grey. For more information, please see “11.3 SYN1 PAGE 1”