Index

In wavetable synthesis, a wavetable is a collection of pre-recorded sound samples, usually stored in a digital format. Any sound source, from a short sine wave to a sophisticated recording of an instrument or a soundscape, can be used for these samples. Each entry in the table that contains the samples represents a different point in the waveform. The index is used to choose the wavetable’s starting point for the waveform when a sound is produced.

A variety of sounds can be produced from a single wavetable by modulating the index over time. For instance, a steady, unchanging tone will be produced if the index is moved slowly through the table. The sound produced, however, will be more complex and dynamic with changes in harmonic content and overall character if the index is moved quickly through the table.

In addition, various wavetables can be used to produce multiple sounds. For instance, a wavetable with piano sound samples will sound different from a wavetable with synthesized sound samples. Wavetable synthesis is a potent tool for sound synthesis and design because of its adaptability.

In conclusion, wavetable synthesis plays a particular sound by indexing a table of sound samples to a specific position. Various sounds can be created by modulating the index over time, and various wavetables can be used to produce various sounds.