A wavetable synthesizer is a type of synthesizer that creates sound using a table of previously recorded audio waveforms. The single-cycle waveforms that make up the wavetable are the fundamental building blocks for producing sounds. The synthesizer creates sound by replaying these waveforms at various pitches and utilizing various sound-shaping tools, including filters, envelopes, and modulation.
Various sounds, from conventional analog-like sounds to more complex and evolving sounds, can be produced using the wavetable synthesis technique. This synthesis technique is renowned for its capacity to create complex, rich timbres and seamless transitions between various sounds.
Wavetable synthesis is one of the sound generation techniques used by many contemporary digital synthesizers, including software synthesizers and some hardware synthesizers.
Examples
- Xfer Serum: A popular software wavetable synthesizer that is widely used in electronic music production. It features a wide range of wavetables and sound-shaping tools, and has a user-friendly interface.
- Native Instruments Massive: Another popular software wavetable synthesizer that is known for its powerful sound-shaping capabilities and wide range of presets.
- Waldorf Quantum: A hardware wavetable synthesizer that features a large number of wavetables and sound-shaping tools, and is known for its high-quality sound.
- Access Virus TI: A hardware wavetable synthesizer that is popular among electronic music producers and is known for its versatile sound and powerful sound-shaping capabilities. (pictured)
- PPG Wave 2.V: A classic hardware wavetable synthesizer from the 80s, known for it’s unique sound and versatility.
- DSI Prophet Rev2: A hardware wavetable synthesizer with a large number of wavetables and sound-shaping tools and it’s known for its warm and rich sound.
Synthesizer Online 