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A virtual analog synthesizer
is a digital physically modeled synthesizer that
tries to emulate old analog synthesizers. The various
complex nuances of old analog synthesizers are analyzed
and then represented by extremely complex mathematical
algorithms. These mathematical algorithms are then
run on some type of CPU or VLSI chip, depending
on design of the synthesizer. Some of the typical
analog characteristics that are modeled are filter
designs and oscillator waveforms and how each responds
to certain changes. For example, one could try to
model and predict a Moog Low Pass filter and then
an ARP oscillator to create a new synthesizer. One
of the problems with trying to model analog electronics
is that each component can have completely different
characteristics and these characteristics can change
over time. For example it is not uncommon to see
two oscillators of the exact same type and manufacture
exhibit different tonal variations. While it is
extremely hard to model all of the variations that
occur in analog synthesizers, they have come a long
way since virtual analog synthesizers were introduced
in 1994.
Some of the more popular virtual
analog synthesizers that currently made are the Access
Virus B, Waldorf
Q, and Notavtion Supernova
Almost all virtual analog synthesizers
use subtractive synthesis. For more on Subtractive
Synthesis click here.
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