Editing Software synthesizer

{{Short description|Computer program that generates audio}}{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2014}}

A '''software synthesizer''' or '''softsynth''' is a computer program that generates [[digital audio]], usually for music. Computer software that can create sounds or music is not new, but advances in processing speed now allow softsynths to accomplish the same tasks that previously required the dedicated hardware of a conventional [[synthesizer]]. Softsynths may be readily interfaced with other music software such as [[music sequencer]]s typically in the context of a [[digital audio workstation]]. Softsynths are usually less expensive and can be more portable than dedicated hardware.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Aikin |first=Jim |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ipn3e2SLNkUC&dq=instrument&pg=PR1 |title=Software Synthesizers: The Definitive Guide to Virtual Musical Instruments |date=2003 |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |isbn=978-0-87930-752-3 |language=en}}</ref>

==Types==
[[File:Bristol Mini.png|thumb|Bristol Mini soft-synth]]
{{See also|Synthesizer#Sound synthesis}}
Softsynths can cover a range of synthesis methods, including [[subtractive synthesis]] (including [[Analog modeling synthesizer|analog modeling]], a subtype), [[FM synthesis]] (including the similar [[phase distortion synthesis]]), [[physical modelling synthesis]], [[additive synthesis]] (including the related [[Additive synthesis#Additive analysis.2Fresynthesis|resynthesis]]), and [[sample-based synthesis]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |date=2013-12-19 |title=Musical signal synthesis |url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315078120-2/musical-signal-synthesis-gianpaolo-borin-giovanni-de-poli-augusto-sarti |journal=Taylor & Francis |language=en |doi=10.4324/9781315078120-2 |doi-broken-date=16 May 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240418023209/https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315078120-2/musical-signal-synthesis-gianpaolo-borin-giovanni-de-poli-augusto-sarti |archive-date=2024-04-18}}</ref>

Many popular hardware synthesizers are no longer manufactured but have been emulated in software. The emulation can even extend to having graphics that model the exact placements of the original hardware controls. Some simulators can even import the original sound patches with accuracy that is nearly indistinguishable from the original synthesizer. Popular synthesizers such as the [[Minimoog|Moog Minimoog]], [[Yamaha DX7]], [[Korg M1]], [[Prophet-5|Sequential Circuits Prophet-5]], [[Oberheim OB-X]], [[Roland Jupiter 8|Roland Jupiter-8]], [[ARP 2600]] and dozens of other classics have been recreated in software. Software Synth developers such as [[Arturia]] offer virtual editions of analog synths like the [[Minimoog]], the [[ARP 2600]], as well as the [[Yamaha CS-80]]. GForce produces a Minimoog (with sounds designed by [[Rick Wakeman]]) and a version of the [[ARP Odyssey]]. There is also a variety of popular software synthesizers that are exclusively software. Synths like Serum 2 and its predecessor Serum (both created by [[Steve Duda]] under [[Xfer Records]]), Pigments by [[Arturia]], Vital developed by Vital Audio, and even Alchemy, originally developed by Camel Audio, which is famously associated with [[Logic Pro]] after its acquisition by [[Apple Inc.|Apple]].

Some softsynths are [[Sampling (music)|sample]]-based, and frequently have more capability than hardware units, since computers have fewer restrictions on memory than dedicated hardware synthesizers. Sample libraries may be many gigabytes in size. Some are specifically designed to mimic real-world instruments such as pianos. Sample libraries' formats include ''[[WAV|.wav]]'', ''[[SoundFont|.sf]]'' or [[SoundFont|.sf2]].<ref name=":0" />

Softsynths suffer their own issues compared to traditional hardware. Softsynths tend to have more latency than hardware; they can also suffer from crashes and data loss. <ref>{{Cite book |last=Kleimola |first=Jari |title=Design and Implementation of a Software Sound Synthesizer |date=31 August 2005 |publisher=Helsinki University of Technology |year=2005}}</ref>This is why oftentimes a composer or virtual conductor will want a "draft mode" for initial score editing and then use the "production mode" to generate high-quality sound as one gets closer to the final version. The draft mode allows for quicker turn-around, perhaps in real time, but will not have the full quality of the production mode. The draft render is roughly analogous to a wire-frame or "big polygon" animation when creating 3D animation or [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]]. Both are based on the trade-off between quality and turn-around time for reviewing drafts and changes.

===Software instrument===
[[Image:Cubase 6 feature - software instruments and software effects.svg|thumb|top: [[Software synthesizer#Software instrument|Software instrument]]s {{smalldiv|{{Bulleted list|HALion Sonic SE sample player|Groove Agent ONE drum sample player}}}} bottom: [[Software effect processor]]s<br />on [[Steinberg Cubase|Cubase]] 6 {{small|(CC-BY-SA-3.0 image)}}]]

A '''software instrument''' can be a synthesized version of a real instrument (like the sounds of a [[violin]] or [[drum]]s), or a unique instrument, generated by computer software.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hosken |first=Dan |title=An Introduction to Music Technology |date=31 July 2014 |year=2014 |isbn=9780203539149 |edition=2nd |location=New York |publication-date=31 July 2014}}</ref> Software instruments have been made popular by the convergence of synthesizers and computers, as well as [[Digital audio workstation|sequencing software]] like [[GarageBand]], [[Logic Pro]], and [[Ableton Live]]. Also of note is software like [[Csound]] and [[Nyquist (programming language)|Nyquist]], which can be used to program software instruments.

== History ==
In 1986, Aegis released Sonix for the Commodore Amiga. Alongside a graphical score editor, Sonix featured a 4-voice software synthesizer. It featured MIDI input, a recognizable user interface, waveform drawing, an envelope, LFO, and non-resonant filter - calculating the synthesized result in real-time and sending it out, polyphonically, to the Amiga's 4 PCM-based channels. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Kirn |first=Peter |date=2023-06-08 |title=Dazzle at the soft synths of the Commodore Amiga – including a forgotten 1985 gem |url=https://cdm.link/soft-synths-of-the-amiga/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Create Digital Music}}</ref> In 1996, Steinberg, a German software company, released the [[Virtual Studio Technology|VST]] standard. In 1997, [[Seer Systems]] released the first commercial software synthesizer, named Reality, which combined previously used forms of [[Synthesizer|synthesis]] such as PCM, wavetable, FM, additive and physical modeling. This helped integrate software synthesizers into [[Digital audio workstation|DAW]] software, streamlining usage. As computers became more powerful, software synthesizers did as well. This led to developments in new forms of synthesis such as [[granular synthesis]]. Other software synthesizers focused on recreating or imitating other instruments. For example, some software synthesizers focused on physical modeling in order to imitate instruments like organs and electric pianos.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kovarsky |first=Jerry |date=2022-05-02 |title=History of the Synthesizer, Part 2 |url=https://hub.yamaha.com/keyboards/synthesizers/history-of-the-synthesizer-part-2/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Yamaha Music |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[:Category:Software synthesizers]]
* [[:Category:Music software plugin architectures]]
* [[Digital audio editor]]
* [[Modular synthesizer]]
* [[Music sequencer]]
* [[Sound module]]
* [[Synthesizer]]
* ''[[SynthFont]]''
* [[TiMidity++]]
* [[Video game music]]
* [[List of music software]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Computer music}}
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[[Category:Music software]]
[[Category:Software synthesizers|*]]
[[Category:MIDI]]