What is FM Synthesis? FM Synthesis, short for Frequency Modulation Synthesis, is a method of sound synthesis that creates complex and evolving timbres by modulating the frequency of one waveform with another. It was first introduced by John Chowning in the 1960s and later popularized by Yamaha in their DX series of synthesizers in the … Read more
What is Additive Synthesis? Additive synthesis is a method of sound synthesis that involves creating complex sounds by combining multiple sine waves of different frequencies, amplitudes, and phases. Unlike subtractive synthesis, which involves filtering harmonically rich waveforms to create new sounds, additive synthesis builds up sounds from the ground up by adding individual sine waves … Read more
What is a Noise Generator? A noise generator is a device or software tool that produces random or pseudo-random signals known as “noise.” In the context of sound design and music production, noise generators are used to create a variety of sounds, from white noise to more complex textures and effects. Noise generators are commonly … Read more
What is a keyframe in sound design? In sound design, a keyframe is a specific point in a timeline where a change or adjustment is made to a sound parameter. Keyframes are used to control various aspects of a sound, such as volume, pitch, panning, and effects. By setting keyframes at different points in a … Read more
What is 5.1 Surround Sound? 5.1 Surround Sound is a type of audio system that uses six channels of audio to create a more immersive listening experience. The “5” in 5.1 refers to the five main channels of audio: front left, front right, center, rear left, and rear right. The “.1” refers to the subwoofer … Read more
What is Diegetic Sound? Diegetic sound refers to any sound within a film or media text that can be heard by the characters within the story. This includes sounds that originate from sources within the narrative world, such as dialogue, footsteps, music playing on a radio, or the sound of a door closing. Diegetic sound … Read more
What is Non-Diegetic Sound? Non-diegetic sound refers to any sound that is not emanating from the world of the film or television show itself. This type of sound is typically added in post-production and is used to enhance the overall viewing experience. Non-diegetic sounds can include background music, sound effects, narration, and voice-overs. How is … Read more
What is Ambisonics? Ambisonics is a technique for capturing, processing, and reproducing 3D sound in a spherical manner. It is a full-sphere surround sound technique that allows sound to be represented as a spherical sound field rather than discrete channels like traditional stereo or surround sound systems. Ambisonics aims to create a more immersive and … Read more
What is Signal Processing? Signal processing is the technique of analyzing, modifying, and synthesizing signals to extract useful information or transform them into a desired form. Signals can be in various forms such as audio, video, images, or data. In the context of sound design, signal processing is used to manipulate audio signals to achieve … Read more
What is Sound Layering? Sound layering is a technique used in sound design and music production where multiple audio tracks are combined to create a rich and complex sound. Each layer contributes a different element to the overall sound, such as melody, harmony, rhythm, or texture. By layering sounds, a composer or sound designer can … Read more
