Synthesizers

According to a definition by Howe in 1980, “a synthesizer is a machine that generates and modifies sounds electrically”, and although this definition is over 35 years old and several generations of synthesizers have succeeded since then, becoming more advanced, although somewhat generic, this definition perhaps remains the best to explain to anyone what a synthesizer is and how it differs from a musical keyboard. In practice, synthesizers start from appropriate harmonic elements to synthesize complex sounds, and play a fundamental role in electronic music, as they produce music starting from the generation of electrical signals, which are converted into music through speakers, headphones, or loudspeakers. A synthesizer can imitate sounds of other instruments or create new timbres and can be controlled by musical keyboards, MIDI controllers or sequencers.

Based on the different sound production techniques used by different types of synthesizers, we speak of subtractive synthesis, additive synthesis, frequency modulation, phase distortion, sampling, and much more. Each synthesizer can use one of these sound production techniques and the choice of the most suitable type of synthesizer depends a lot on the final effect one wants to achieve.

Online, in various musical instrument e-commerce sites, it is possible to find a very wide offer for this type of instrument, capable of offering musicians a large number of effects and sounds for all tastes. MusicalStore2005, particularly in the section dedicated to musical keyboards, presents a wide range of synthesizers suitable for any need, from those of purely amateur musicians to increasingly professional requirements, with prices ranging from those of commercial products to more sophisticated instruments.

The universe of synthesizers is fascinating and at times complex, especially if you lack basic knowledge about sound generation, waveforms, effects, however, you can remedy this lack by reading some pages of an introduction to acoustics or to music informatics manual, but fear not, nothing transcendental if we stay at superficial levels, there are also many web pages that talk about the topic.

In any case, every musician should know the principles of acoustics because music is made of sound waves that generate sounds.

As you will see, synthesizers often look like “normal” keyboards, other times a bit less, if we refer to reproductions of historic '70s synths, or they may look like modules to be connected to keyboards. For those who want to approach synths and start manipulating sound waves, there are also small handheld instruments produced especially by Korg, simple, very affordable, and with unsuspected potential like the Monotron and all its various descendants.