Subtractive synthesizer components
The front panel of most subtractive synthesizers provides similar signal-generating and processing modules—coupled with a number of modulation and control modules. The signal-generating and processing modules typically run from left to right, mirroring the synthesizer signal flow.
![Figure. Basic subtractive synthesizer signal flow diagram.](https://help.apple.com/assets/666A34BC79C468390202D0B9/666A34C7A16BCE32A1063641/en_US/70dacf7351e5207b601562476716b906.png)
Signal-generating and processing components
Oscillators: Generate the basic signal. This is usually a waveform that is rich in harmonics. See Oscillators. Many synthesizers provide more than one oscillator, and almost all synthesizer oscillators can generate several waveform types.
Filter section: Used to alter the basic signal by filtering out (removing) portions of the frequency spectrum. Many synthesizers have a single filter that is applied universally to all oscillator signals. Multioscillator synthesizers can provide multiple filters, allowing each oscillator signal to be filtered in a different way. See Filters overview.
Amplifier section: Used to control the level of the signal over time. The amplifier has a module known as an envelope, which is divided into several elements that provide level control for the beginning, middle, and end portions of your sound. Simple synthesizers generally have a single envelope, which is used to control the oscillator (and filter) over time. More complex synthesizers can provide multiple envelopes. See Amplifier envelope overview.
Modulation and control components
Modulators: Used to modulate the signal-generating and processing components. Modulations can be machine-based—automatically generated by a synthesizer component—or can be manually activated by using the modulation wheel, for example. Most synthesizers have a component called an LFO (low frequency oscillator) to provide a waveform that modulates the signal. See Modulation overview.
Global controls: Set the overall characteristics of your synthesizer sound, such as tuning, glides between notes, pitch bends, and monophonic or polyphonic playback. See Global controls.
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