WavetableSynthese

Wavetable synthesis is a method of sound synthesis used in digital synthesizers. It involves using a stored digital waveform, called a wavetable, as the basis for generating sound. Unlike subtractive synthesis which starts with a rich harmonic sound and filters it, wavetable synthesis begins with a simple waveform and uses the wavetable to dynamically change its harmonic content over time.

A wavetable is typically a collection of short, repeating digital waveforms, often arranged in a sequence. A synthesizer employing wavetable synthesis can cycle through these waveforms, creating complex timbral changes and evolving sounds. This allows for a wide range of sonic possibilities, from warm analog-like pads to sharp, metallic textures and evolving, complex soundscapes. The speed at which the synthesizer cycles through the wavetable determines the rate of timbral change.

The waveforms within a wavetable can be simple sine, sawtooth, or square waves, but they are often more complex, containing rich harmonic content or even non-harmonic partials. Modern wavetable synthesizers offer extensive control over the wavetable itself, allowing users to import their own custom waveforms, draw them, or manipulate existing ones. Parameters such as wavetable position, scanning rate, and modulation sources can be used to shape the sound dynamically. This flexibility makes wavetable synthesis a powerful tool for sound design across various musical genres.