| A programmable music synthesizer has a keyboard | | | | content. |
| which also generates an expression signal | | | | Well known Brands of Programmable synthesizers |
| representing the pressure on the keyboard and utilizes | | | | A vast range of programmable synthesizers are |
| the change in an infrared path length for producing this | | | | available in the market. All the famous brands have |
| expression signal. | | | | come out with their latest synthesizers. In this article |
| Synthesizers work by manipulating electrical signals | | | | we will be discussing three of the most famous and |
| which appear as sound when they are used to drive | | | | widely used programmable synthesizers. |
| audio amplifiers. These tones are generated by | | | | S08 Programmable Synthesizer from Yamaha - The |
| electrical circuits which may work by manipulating a | | | | S08 features an 88-key balanced hammer design with |
| signal through a series of oscillators and filters in an | | | | Initial Touch, plus full 64-note polyphony. With its sleek, |
| analog circuits in analog synthesizers. They may also | | | | lightweight portable design, palette of high quality |
| perform mathematical manipulation of signals using a | | | | sounds and advanced storage features, the S08 |
| microprocessor and digital signal processing in digital | | | | makes an ideal primary or additional instrument for the |
| synthesizers, or by a combination of both methods. | | | | songwriter, arranger, live performance musician, studio |
| Synthesized sounds may sound dramatically different | | | | musician, and amateur alike. |
| than recordings of natural sounds, though sampling | | | | Users can create their own sounds and store them in |
| synthesizers significantly blur this distinction. | | | | any of 128 user-voice memory locations. Onboard |
| Sound basics | | | | effects include chorus, reverb and variations. Panel |
| All sounds are comprised of some combination of pure | | | | switches, a large LCD display and controllers that |
| sine waves. Generally, a single sound will include a | | | | include pitch bend, a mod wheel and a numeric keypad, |
| fundamental frequency, and any number of overtones. | | | | provide full control and quick access to all functions. |
| The frequencies of these overtones are either integer | | | | Roland XP-30 - The XP30 uses sound sets from the |
| multiples of the fundamental frequency, or integer | | | | popular JV-1080 and JV-2080 modules, plus tons of |
| fractions thereof subharmonics. | | | | sound patches from the Session, Orchestral, and |
| When natural tonal instruments sounds are analyzed in | | | | Techno Collection expansion boards. Having two slots |
| the frequency domain, the spectra of their sounds will | | | | for SRJV 80 expansion boards, the XP-30 has 61 |
| exhibit amplitude spikes at each of the fundamental | | | | velocity sensitive keys with after touch. |
| tone harmonics. Some harmonics may have higher | | | | It also has built-in reverb, chorus, and set of forty |
| amplitudes than others. The specific set of harmonic | | | | effects, four onboard sliders for real time control and |
| versus amplitude pairs is known as a sound's harmonic | | | | editing and patch finder and phrase preview functions. |