26. Basic Synthesizer

When connected together the oscillator, filter, and amplifier form the basic synthesizer. There are two common ways to connect these three modules. One configuration begins with the oscillator outputting a waveform to the filter, which modifies the harmonic content of that wave by attenuating certain frequencies. Finally the output of the filter is sent to the amplifier, which sets the amplitude of the resultant waveform.

Example 26-1: An oscillator, filter and amplifier working together constitute a basic synthesizer.

The other way of creating a basic synthesizer begins with the oscillator but takes its output waveform to the amplifier. Once the amplitude is set, then the filter, removing particular frequencies, modifies the harmonic content of the wave.

Example 26-2: An oscillator, amplifier, and filter working together constitute a basic synthesizer.