Glossary – LinPlug Spectral User Manual
Page 90
Glossary
AM:
AM or Amplitude Modulation is a process where the
amplitude of one oscillator (the carrier) is controlled by
another (the modulator). When the frequency of the
modulator is periodic and below the audio range (less than
20 Hz) tremolo is produced. When the modulation
frequency is within the audio range metallic overtones are
produced.
Amplifier:
A signal processing device that changes the amplitude, and
hence the volume, of a signal.
Band:
Certain filters consist of multiple bands, that is the
frequency spectrum is split in multiple parts, usually with
the same relative bandwidth (e.g. an 1/3 octave Equalizer
found in many studios). Spectral has 121 bands, each 1/12
octave wide.
Effect:
A signal processing device that changes some aspect of
the input signal. An enormous number of different effect
types are available. These include Chorus (which produces
a thickening of the signal), Delay (adding echoes to the
signal) and Distortion (which changes the shape of the
waveform usually adding overtones).
Envelope:
A time-varying signal used to control the development of
another signal after it has been triggered. Envelopes are
often used for controlling a signal's amplitude (volume) or
filter's frequency. The shape of the envelope is determined
by its control parameters.
Filter:
A signal processing device that suppresses or filters out
specific parts of a signal's frequency spectrum. Numerous
types of filter are used in audio synthesis, spectral allows
filter design in great detail using 121 individual bands.
FM:
FM or Frequency Modulation is a cross-modulation process
where the frequency of one oscillator or filter (the carrier) is
controlled by another (the modulator). When the frequency
of the modulator is periodic and below the audio range