Synthesizer Music Keyboards
Posted by: Brad
Tags: digital piano, instrument, keyboard, music, music keyboards, piano, synthesizer
Most keyboard players are familiar with digital pianos, arranger keyboards and music workstations. But synthesizer music keyboards are the least familiar of the digital keyboard instruments. It is more of a specialty instrument with a smaller market of users. The synthesizer, however, can be one of the most exciting digital instruments.
The synthesizer is designed to generate (or synthesize) new sounds from scratch. The resulting sounds are typically programmed with knobs, sliders, and switches, and the sound can be changed in real time. The sounds could range anywhere from soft synthetic string sounds to percussive drum-like sounds. There are various types of synthesis (for example, additive or subtractive synthesis) that combine and manipulate wave forms electronically. Some synthesizers can take existing instrument sounds and manipulate or recombine them into new sounds. Acoustic instruments such as a violin, flute, or double bass can also be imitated. The possibilities are endless as to the sounds that one can make with a synthesizer.
There are various types of synthesizer interfaces but the music keyboard is the most popular for controlling the pitch and harmonic characteristics of a synthesized sound. One can program the algorithm for the sound to be produced and play the keyboard using that sound, just like any of the built-in instrument sounds in arranger keyboards. Some synthesizers also come with effects such as flanger, chorus, and feature an arpeggiator – an effect that is a hallmark of the music synthesizer – which creates a specific sequence of notes programmed by the musician or that can be generated randomly.
With a synthesizer one can stretch their creativity and create never-before-heard sounds. Each stand-alone music synthesizer has it’s unique sound characteristics and synthesis technology so the avid electronic music musician will want multiple synths at their disposal. The higher-end workstation keyboards will also have a built-in synth to compliment the other music production functions. Overall the synthesizer is a wonderful instrument for the serious musician as well as a fun music keyboard for the hobbyist.