ZynAddSubFX
Encyclopedia
ZynAddSubFX is an open source
software synthesizer
for Linux
, Mac OS X
and Microsoft Windows
.
For sound generation it has three hybrid synth engines that combine additive, subtractive, Fourier
and other synthesis methods. No external samples are used to produce the sound; everything is done by synthesis.
The synthesizer has effects like reverberation
, echo
, chorus
, distortion
, equalization
and others, and supports microtonal tunings.
The author of ZynAddSubFX is a Romanian
programmer, Nasca Octavian Paul. The project was started in March 2002 and the first public release was version 1.0.0 on September 25, 2002.
A limited Mac OS X version was released by Ben Powers.
A VST port implementation is now available, being maintained by jackoo [Vlad Ionescu] on the KVR Audio Forums. The VST version is still in beta development, but has been tested with hosts such as VSTHost, EnergyXT 1.41, Cubase and Reaper. The latest version features a 'MidiLearn' mechanism (which enables users to assign CC messages to various controls), and multiple outputs.
by the ADSynth engine, subtractive synthesis
by the SUBSynth engine, and an original algorithm used to generate wavetables
in the PADSynth engine.
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
software synthesizer
Software synthesizer
A software synthesizer, also known as a softsynth is a computer program or plug-in for digital audio generation. Computer software which 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...
for Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
, Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
and Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
.
For sound generation it has three hybrid synth engines that combine additive, subtractive, Fourier
Fourier
Fourier most commonly refers to Joseph Fourier , French mathematician and physicist, or the mathematics, physics, and engineering terms named in his honor for his work on the concepts underlying them:In mathematics:...
and other synthesis methods. No external samples are used to produce the sound; everything is done by synthesis.
The synthesizer has effects like reverberation
Reverberation
Reverberation is the persistence of sound in a particular space after the original sound is removed. A reverberation, or reverb, is created when a sound is produced in an enclosed space causing a large number of echoes to build up and then slowly decay as the sound is absorbed by the walls and air...
, echo
Echo (phenomenon)
In audio signal processing and acoustics, an echo is a reflection of sound, arriving at the listener some time after the direct sound. Typical examples are the echo produced by the bottom of a well, by a building, or by the walls of an enclosed room and an empty room. A true echo is a single...
, chorus
Chorus effect
In music, a chorus effect occurs when individual sounds with roughly the same timbre and nearly the same pitch converge and are perceived as one...
, distortion
Distortion
A distortion is the alteration of the original shape of an object, image, sound, waveform or other form of information or representation. Distortion is usually unwanted, and often many methods are employed to minimize it in practice...
, equalization
Equalization
Equalization, is the process of adjusting the balance between frequency components within an electronic signal. The most well known use of equalization is in sound recording and reproduction but there are many other applications in electronics and telecommunications. The circuit or equipment used...
and others, and supports microtonal tunings.
The author of ZynAddSubFX is a Romanian
Romanians
The Romanians are an ethnic group native to Romania, who speak Romanian; they are the majority inhabitants of Romania....
programmer, Nasca Octavian Paul. The project was started in March 2002 and the first public release was version 1.0.0 on September 25, 2002.
A limited Mac OS X version was released by Ben Powers.
A VST port implementation is now available, being maintained by jackoo [Vlad Ionescu] on the KVR Audio Forums. The VST version is still in beta development, but has been tested with hosts such as VSTHost, EnergyXT 1.41, Cubase and Reaper. The latest version features a 'MidiLearn' mechanism (which enables users to assign CC messages to various controls), and multiple outputs.
Sound Generation
ZynAddSubFX combines several different methods of audio synthesis in order to create sounds: additive synthesisAdditive synthesis
Additive synthesis is a technique of sound synthesis that creates musical timbre by explicitly adding sinusoidal overtones together.The timbre of an instrument is composed of multiple harmonic or inharmonic partials , of different frequencies and amplitudes, that change over time...
by the ADSynth engine, subtractive synthesis
Subtractive synthesis
Subtractive synthesis is a method of sound synthesis in which partials of an audio signal are attenuated by a filter to alter the timbre of the sound...
by the SUBSynth engine, and an original algorithm used to generate wavetables
Wavetable synthesis
Wavetable synthesis is used in certain digital music synthesizers to implement a restricted form of real-time additive synthesis. The technique was first developed by Wolfgang Palm of PPG in the late 1970s and published in 1979, and has since been used as the primary synthesis method in...
in the PADSynth engine.