10MM 178 - Subtractive synthesis explained - Features

The principles of subtractive synthesis have underpinned sound creation for more than 50 years. Mark Cousins takes a closer look at how it works.

D espite the plethora of sound-generation technologies available, goodold-fashioned subtractive synthesis has had the most profound and long-lasting effect on music-making. From the earliest Moog synths through to today’s latest machines, the principles of subtractive synthesis have underpinned the majority of commercial synthesizers, giving musicians an intuitive, easy-to-use means of creating musically relevant sounds. But what are the key ingredients of a subtractive synth and how do its components knit together to create such an effective end result?

This feature first appeared in Music Tech Magazine issue 88
Filed under Home, General Features, Ten Minute Masters, Features

/mtm/features/10mm-178-subtractive-synthesis-explained

New users, please register here

Please enter your details below to set up your new account. Fields marked with a red asterisk * are required.

Your name
*First name:
*Last name:
Job title:
Company:

Account settings
*Email address:
	Please make sure your email address is correct, as we will send you an email with a link to activate your account.
*Username:
	Choose a username between 7 and 100 characters in length, without spaces or unusual characters. You may use your email address as your username, but note that it may appear in community areas of the site where others can see it.
*Password:
*Confirm password:
	Choose a password between 7 and 100 characters in length, without spaces.
	Remember me on this computer

Your address and contact info
Address 1:

Town or city:
County or state:
Postcode or ZIP:
Country:
Telephone:
Fax:
Website:

	By registering to use the Music Tech website you agree to allow us to contact you with our Music Tech email newsletters featuring news, competitions, exclusive content and special offers, as well as with communications from our carefully selected music technology retail and manufacturer partners. If you provide phone and post details we may contact you by those means as well with special offers relating specifically to Music Tech Magazine and our other publications. WE WILL NOT PASS YOUR DETAILS TO ANY THIRD PARTY. If at any time you wish to stop receiving our email newsletter, simply follow the Unsubscribe instruction on our newsletter. Contact us by email of post if you wish your post or phone details to be removed from our database.

MTM 108	Brainworx Vertigo VSC-2 Review Brainworx’s latest plug-in is modelled on a £3,600 German-built VCA compressor. Mark Cousins finds a head for heights.	MTM 108	Yamaha 01V96i Review The latest incarnation of Yamaha’s new digital console continues the evolution of the 01V. Mike Hillier takes to the stage.
MTM 107	25 Tips for Mix Processing There is a multitude of mixing tools and features to be found in every DAW, but how and when should you use them? Liam O’Mullane takes you through the options.	MTM 107	Control for Live Performance Marrying technologies old and new with the traditional aspects of live performance, controllerism is one of the fastest-growing arenas, both in terms of music itself and the kit we use to make it. Hollin Jones reveals how you can get a slice of the
	Music Tech Focus - Ableton Live 2012 MTF Ableton Live 8, 2012 edition is on sale now featuring 132 all-new pages of Live 8 Workshops, tips, features and interviews - buy online now		Music Tech Focus - Synthesis 2012 MTF Synthesis 2012 is on sale now featuring tutorials for Arturia, Cubase 5, Logic Pro 9, Massive, Reason 5, Razor, FM8 and more
MTM 106	25 Pro Tips for Kick-starting Composition Initial ideas that spark the songwriting process must inspire you enough to see it through to completion. Liam O’Mullane explains how he gets the fire going...	MTM 106	Contemporary Mastering Mastering is often thought of as little more than a final gloss of EQ, compression and limiting, but there are plenty of tasks beyond these that are required of the modern mastering engineer. Mike Hillier explores the world of today’s mastering.

10MM 178 - Subtractive synthesis explained

Sign in to download this article

New users, please register here

See also...

Menu