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Software synthesizer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A software synthesizer, also known as a softsynth, is a computer program, or plug-in that

generates digital audio, usually for music. Computer software that can create sounds or music is not
new, but advances in processing speed are allowing softsynths to accomplish the same tasks that
previously required dedicated hardware. Softsynths are usually cheaper and more portable than
dedicated hardware, and easier to interface with other music software such as music sequencers.

Contents
1 Hardware versus software
2 Types of softsynth
3 Plug-in compatibility
4 Typical software synthesizers
4.1 S-YXG series
4.2 Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth
4.3 QuickTime Music Synthesizer
4.4 Newer Software Synthesizers
4.5 Linux Synthesizers
4.6 Mobile Synthesizer
5 List of some of the earlier softsynths for PC
6 See also
7 External links
8 References

Hardware versus software

Dedicated hardware synthesizers can have software as complex as a soft synth. The distinction is
that softsynths run on a general purpose computer with a sound card, and the hardware (dedicated)
synthesizers have the custom software built-in. The advantage to dedicated hardware is that it can
be more stable, and also that it often has a user interface that is physical (knobs and sliders) and
therefore easier to manipulate during performances. Many softsynths use mathematical algorithms
that directly emulate the electronic components and circuitry of the original hardware synthesizer.
This produces an exceptionally authentic sound, even capturing "flaws" in the original hardware,
such as oscillator drift caused by thermal sensitivity of the components.

Types of softsynth

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Many popular hardware synthesizers are no longer

manufactured, but have been emulated in software. The
emulation can even extend to having graphics that model the
exact placements of the original hardware controls. Some
simulators can even import the original sound patches with
accuracy that is nearly indistinguishable from the original
synthesizer. Popular synthesizers such as the Minimoog,
Yamaha DX7, Korg M1, Prophet-5, Oberheim OB-X, Roland Bristol Mini soft-synth
Jupiter 8, ARP 2600 and dozens of other classics have been
recreated in software.

Some softsynths are heavily sample based, and frequently have more capability than hardware
units, since computers have fewer restrictions on memory than dedicated hardware synthesizers.
Some of these sample based synthesizers come with sample libraries many gigabytes in size. Some
are specifically designed to mimic real world instruments such as pianos. Many sample libraries are
available in a common format like WAV or SoundFont, and can be used with almost any sampler
based softsynth.

The major downside of using softsynths can often be more latency (delay between playing the note
and hearing the corresponding sound). Decreasing latency requires increasing the demand on the
computer's processor. When the soft synthesizer is running as a plug-in for a host sequencer, both
the soft synth and the sequencer are competing for processor time. Multi-processor computers can
handle this better than single-processor computers. As the processor becomes overloaded, sonic
artifacts such as "clicks" and "pops" can be heard during performance or playback. When the
processor becomes completely overloaded, the host sequencer or computer can lock up or crash.
Increasing buffer size helps, but also increases latency. However modern professional audio
interfaces can frequently operate with extremely low latency, so in recent years this has become
much less of a problem than in the early days of computer music.

It is also possible to generate sound files off-line, meaning sound generation does not have to be in
real time, or live. For example, the input could be a MIDI file and the output could be a WAV file
or an MP3 file. Playing a WAV or MP3 file simply means playing a pre-calculated wave-form(s).
The advantage of off-line synthesis is that the software can spend as much time as it needs to
generate the resulting sounds, potentially increasing sound quality. It could take 30 seconds of
computing time to generate 1 second of real-time sound, for example. The disadvantage is that
changes to the music specifications cannot be heard immediately.

Often a composer or virtual conductor will want a "draft mode" for initial score editing, and then
use the "production mode" to generate high-quality sound as one gets closer to the final version.
The draft mode allows for quicker turn-around, perhaps in real time, but will not have the full
quality of the production mode. The draft render is roughly analogous to a wire-frame or "big
polygon" animation when creating 3D animation or CGI. Both are based on the trade-off between
quality and turn-around time for reviewing drafts and changes.

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Plug-in compatibility
Stand-alone softsynths run as a program on the computer so additional software is not required.
Plug-in softsynths require a host application such as a digital audio workstation, which records the
music that is played. Common plug-in technologies include VST, AU, LADSPA, DXi, and RTAS.

Typical software synthesizers

Amongst the earliest successful software synthesizers were the Yamaha S-YXG series and the
Roland Virtual Sound Canvas under the name Edirol.

S-YXG series

Essentially, the software is a VxD (Win98) or WDM (WinXP) driver that emulates a synthesizer by
using the CPU to process MIDI data with an archive containing samples loaded into memory as a
sound library. S-YXG50 (WDM) is made up of two sound libraries (a 2 MiB GM2 and a 4 MiB XG
sound set). Both versions can be downloaded from Microsoft's Windows Update Catalog site free
of charge.

Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth

The Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth (based on sample-based synthesis) included in versions of

DirectX as an integral part of DirectMusic is a version of the Roland Virtual Sound Canvas with
GS sound set licensed by Microsoft from Roland Corporation in 1996.[1] The file containing the
samples is in DLS format.

QuickTime Music Synthesizer

QuickTime Music Synthesizer licensed by Apple Inc. from Roland Corporation in 1997[2] is a
synthesizer software.

Newer Software Synthesizers

Software Synth developers such as Arturia offer virtual editions of analog synths like the
Minimoog, the ARP 2600, as well as the Yamaha CS-80. Gforce (http://www.gforcesoftware.com)
produces a Minimoog with sounds designed by Rick Wakeman and version of the ARP Odyssey

Linux Synthesizers

ZynAddSubFX is an open-source software synthesizer for Linux, macOS and Windows. It can
generate polyphonic, multitimbral, microtonal sounds in realtime.[3] It is a free program, licensed
under version 2 of the GNU General Public License.

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There are many other open-source software synthesizers available gratis for unix-based operating
systems, including amsynth, Hexter, TAL NoizeMaker, Xsynth, Wsynth, WhySynth, Add64,
OBXD, Mx44, Phasex, Alsa Modular Synth, Bristol and others still.

Mobile Synthesizer

Mobile Phones have become so high in processing power, that synthesizer applications (apps) can
play with the same capabilities as the classic analog or digital synths. They can have several
oscillators with pulse width modulated waveforms, frequency- and amplitude- modulation, ADSR
envelope forming and a number of digital sound processing effects like filter, exciter, delay, chorus
and reverb. One example is the Windows Phone Synthesizer.

Recently there have been many virtual synthesizers released for Apples iOS devices (iPad, iPhone,
and iPod Touch). Many of these are from independent developers. Hardware manufacturers have
also released apps for the iPad and iPhone including Moog Music, Korg, Roland Corporation, Akai
and Tascam.

Apple Logic Studio comes with a variety of Software Synths including FM, Bass, Analog,
Ensemble as well as Electric Piano and Hammond B-3 emulation.

List of some of the earlier softsynths for PC

Audio Simulation AudioSim (DOS, 1996)
AXS (Analogue Xpansion System) (DOS, 1998)
Orangator (Windows 95/98, 1998)
SimSynth 2 (Windows 95/98, 1998)
Synoptic Probe (Windows 95/98, 1999)

See also
Category:Software synthesizers
Category:Music software plugin architectures
Digital audio editor
Modular synthesizer
Music sequencer
Digital audio workstation
Sound module
Synthesizer
SynthFont
TiMidity++
Video game music
List of music software

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External links
AudioSim Demo on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QdcRyhGwIU)
AXS Demo on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8D2G4kLFEA)
Free Software Synths (http://www.vstis.com/downloads/category/synths/free-synths/)
Software Synthesizers for the linux platform (http://www.linuxsynths.com)

References
1. "Microsoft Licenses Sound Canvas Sounds From Industry Leader Roland Corp". Microsoft Corp. 22
October 1996. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
2. "Roland Corp. Licenses Sound Canvas Sounds and C Format for Apple's QuickTime 3.0". Apple Inc. 18
December 1997. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
3. "ZynAddSubFX project page at Sourceforge". Retrieved 31 July 2012.

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Categories: Music software Software synthesizers

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