Welcome to the Synth Tutorial series! If you're new to the world of synthesizers or just getting started with our SkyDust 3D, you're in the right place. In this series, we'll walk you through the fundamentals of sound synthesis using our SkyDust 3D. This article is dedicated to getting Envelope Generators explained. Don't forget to stop by the first article about Oscillators.
In our previous session, we discussed oscillators and their role in shaping sound. Today, we will delve into another essential component of synthesizers: Envelope Generators.
Envelope Generators (EGs) are responsible for generating the envelope of a sound. They determine how the sound evolves over time, whether it starts abruptly, gradually fades in and out, or sustains at a certain level. By manipulating its parameters, you can control the attack, decay, sustain, and release stages of a sound, molding it to your creative vision. In SkyDust, you can control the gain of each oscillator through each dedicated EG per oscillator.
Envelope Generators can have up to six parameters:
There are different models of EGs. Here are a few types you may come across:
It's important to note that not all synthesizers or software instruments may include all of these envelope types. The availability and functionality of Envelope Generators can vary depending on the specific synthesizer or software you are using. In SkyDust you can find all the mentioned above.
One fascinating aspect of Envelope Generators is their impact on timbre. When multiple oscillators with different envelope settings interact, they create complex and evolving tonal characters, offering endless possibilities for sound design and achieving unique and evolving timbres.
For example, by using a square wave with a fast attack and decay, followed by a sustaining triangle wave, we can create a sound that starts with a bright, punchy attack and transitions to a mellow sustain. This combination of envelope settings modifies the timbre throughout the sound's duration.
Envelope Generators are powerful tools in sound design, allowing you to shape the dynamics and timbre of your synthesized sounds. To become an envelope maestro, understanding the ADSR model and how to adjust the attack, decay, sustain, and release parameters, is the first step and it opens up a world of creative possibilities. Additionally, utilizing envelope generators with different settings for each oscillator enables you to craft complex and evolving timbres, creating captivating sounds that will delight your listeners.
Once you've mastered EGs and Oscillators, move forward to the next tutorial to learn additional components of a synthesizer and start exploring modulation possibilities to start bringing life and movement to your sounds.
See you on the next tutorial!
Stay tuned and join the revolution!