Sound Synthesis in Computer Music

Abstract

This paper surveys the sound synthesis technology used to create computer music as a new art form. The sound synthesis models referred to here are the additive sinusoidal, phase vocoder, FM synthesis, and physical models. Various types of classification from different viewpoints, including “creative synthesis” newly defined here, allow us to easily understand the features of each synthesis model. Moreover, computer application systems for sound synthesis are introduced, including our new system “O t kinshi”. As an example of creative synthesis, sound materials used in the author’s own piece are described. In closing, the possibilities for present and future sound synthesis studies are discussed.