Yamaha FM Synthesis Manual page 7

pitch course, this is referred to as

PITCH EG

envelope generators, basic building blocks of sound synthesis

Envelope generators are among the essential elements for sound

design in a synthesizer. With these tools it is possible to program

sounds that exhibit a specifc dynamic timbre . The beginning of a

sound can thus be given a completely diferent character than for

example the end of that sound.

expression: the 'kneaded' sound

When playing a acoustic musical instrument, we often have the sound

literally in hand. We can, for example hitting a string on a guitar, soft

or hard. The fnger that shortens a violin string can slightly move in

the longitudinal axis of the string in order to achieve a tone with

vibrato. With wind instruments literally breath gives expressive life to

the sound.

breathing and muscle actions

The player actions on an acoustic instrument can be considered as a

low-frequency modulating control of the carrier oscillation, the tone,

the sound of the instrument.

external fne structure modulation

The subtle low frequency tone variations obtained in this way are of

utmost importance for the vitality and quality of sound perception.

This sophisticated modulation is known as external fne structure

modulation (Tempelaars), because they are externally realized by the

player.

internal fne structure modulation

Dissimilar sophisticated modulations in which the player has no

infuence are common in acoustic instruments. They stem from and

are embedded in the physical model of the instrument. This

modulation is known as internal fne structure modulation

(Tempelaars).