Subtractive Synths - Comparing Oscillators

For higher quality (free) videos please visit Sormena.org.

We’ll begin, logically, with the oscillator section. This is where the initial sound is generated and what kicks off the signal flow. Just like without a sample there is no sound in the sampler without an oscillator there is no sound in the subtractive synthesizer. Ironically many software instruments actually use samples for oscillator waveshapes making them psuedo samplers (at least to some degree).

In this lesson we’ll compare and contrast the sound and functionality of the oscillator sections in a number of different synths. Some oscillators are meant to sound exactly like the oscillators in hardware (Monark) while others are incredibly flexible offering you wavetables and the ability to draw in your own wave shapes (Serum).