Can synthesizers synthesize multiphonic sounds if anyone knows?

harmonica · 04-10-2021, 10:09 AM

I was thinking of getting one but this would be a huge deciding factor in it. Every synth piece of music I listen to, doesn't seem to have multiphonics so I am assuming no, but maybe they can and no one does it possibly, if anyone knows? Thanks for any information on it!

LiftingShadowsOffADream · 04-29-2021, 09:06 PM

Do you mean polyphonic? There are plenty of synths that play multiple notes at once if that's what you're asking...

But yeah, a lot of synth based musicians prefer analog monophonic synths simply because of how good they sound.

harmonica · 04-30-2021, 07:57 PM

I looked up the definitions of both and I think I mean multiphonic. It's hard to explain because I am not allowed to post any music examples here yet.

For example a synth can emulate flute sounds, which is what I want it more. However, when a real flute blown into real hard, it has that overblown sound. I read it was called multiphonics.

But I wonder can a synthesizer, emulating a flute, also emulate that hard overblown multiphonics as well, if that makes sense?

Rahere · 12-20-2021, 07:13 AM

No. because you're playing with subharmonics on the instrument itself - with one exception. I seem to recall that one of the windcontrollers had it, but which?

I play low whistle, demoed it's capacity to Paddy Moloney in 86, just to affirm I know whereof I speak!

Tristan_Geoff · 12-20-2021, 10:43 PM

The only thing I can think of thats similar on a synth is velocity, changing this determines not only dynamics but also filters in and out, well, the velocity of the note being played. For example, turning it up will result in a more shrill resonant sound, and turning it down will make it seem slightly underwater.

04-10-2021, 10:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
harmonica Groupie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 17	Can synthesizers synthesize multiphonic sounds if anyone knows? I was thinking of getting one but this would be a huge deciding factor in it. Every synth piece of music I listen to, doesn't seem to have multiphonics so I am assuming no, but maybe they can and no one does it possibly, if anyone knows? Thanks for any information on it!

04-29-2021, 09:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
LiftingShadowsOffADream Groupie Join Date: Apr 2021 Posts: 15	Do you mean polyphonic? There are plenty of synths that play multiple notes at once if that's what you're asking... But yeah, a lot of synth based musicians prefer analog monophonic synths simply because of how good they sound.

04-30-2021, 07:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
harmonica Groupie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 17	I looked up the definitions of both and I think I mean multiphonic. It's hard to explain because I am not allowed to post any music examples here yet. For example a synth can emulate flute sounds, which is what I want it more. However, when a real flute blown into real hard, it has that overblown sound. I read it was called multiphonics. But I wonder can a synthesizer, emulating a flute, also emulate that hard overblown multiphonics as well, if that makes sense?

12-20-2021, 07:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
Rahere Groupie Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: London Posts: 12	No. because you're playing with subharmonics on the instrument itself - with one exception. I seem to recall that one of the windcontrollers had it, but which? I play low whistle, demoed it's capacity to Paddy Moloney in 86, just to affirm I know whereof I speak!