Electronic Music Study Guide for Unit I Quiz

Wave A vibration that our ears perceive as a sound

A wave can be described by its three main characteristics:
1. Frequency The speed, or number of cycles per second. We perceive
frequency as PITCH: the faster, or more frequent the wave, the higher the
pitch. The slower, or less frequent the wave, the lower the pitch.
2. Amplitude The strength, or height of the waveform. We perceive
amplitude as LOUDNESS: the stronger, or taller the waveform, the louder
it is. The weaker, or shorter the waveform, the quieter it is.
3. Timbre The harmonic makeup of the waveform. We perceive timbre as
COLOR: The difference between the same C played at the same volume
on a trumpet or on a piano is timbre. It is the quality of the sound, which
we could describe as harsh, smooth, rich, thin, etc.

Here is a visualization of a waveform, and its characteristics:

Frequency is measured in cycles per second, which is quantified as Hertz (Hz). An A above
middle C is described as 440Hz, which means it vibrates at 440 cycles per second.

In the above picture, which waveform would sound higher in pitch?

 Amplitude is measured by its height, or strength, and is measured in decibels (dB).

In the above picture, which waveform would sound louder?

CONCEPT WRAP-UP: You should be able to tell by looking at a wave whether it has a high or
low frequency, a high or low amplitude, and what frequency and amplitude mean in terms of
sound. Also, understand what timbre means in terms of the sound.

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Wave Types

There are four basic waveforms: the sine wave, square wave, triangle wave, and sawtooth wave.
You should be able to recognize and identify these 4 wave types.
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Synthesizer Basics: We will describe a synthesizer as a musical instrument capable of
generating and editing sound waves.

Synthesizer components:
1. Oscillator The part of the synth that generates the sound wave.
2. ADSR envelope The part of the synth that shapes the sound.
Attack How long it takes for the sound to get to maximum level
Decay How long it takes for the sound to reach the stable holding volume
Sustain The level at which the sound remains until the key is released
Release How long it takes for the sound to die away after the key is released

Here is a diagram showing the ADSR envelope:

CONCEPT WRAP-UP: For now, you only need to know what a synthesizer is, what an
oscillator does, and how the ADSR envelope works. If you saw an ADSR diagram like the one
above, you should be able to label where the attack, decay, sustain, and release take place.
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MIDI
MIDI is an acronym for: Musical Instrument Digital Interface
MIDI was invented as a universal language for any keyboard to talk to any computer.

MIDI data includes:

1. Pitch
2. Tempo
3. Volume

CONCEPT WRAP-UP: You should be able to know what MIDI stands for, and what kind of
information is sent by MIDI data.