An ADSR envelope is a parameter used in synthesizers, including those that produce sound by subtractive synthesis, to control the sound produced. A representation of ADSR as used in sound synthesis, although applicable in other areas. ... A classic FM synthesizer, the Yamaha DX7. ... Subtractive synthesis is a method of sound synthesis characterised by the application of an audio filter to a source signal. ... A schematic representation of auditory signaling Sound is vibration, as perceived by the sense of hearing. ...
When a mechanical musical instrument produces sound, the relative volume of the sound asdfewfquickly the sound fades after the end of the note (the key is released). Often, this time is very short. An example where the release is longer might be a percussion instrument like a glockenspiel, or a piano with the sustain pedal pressed. A musical instrument is a device that has been constructed or modified with the purpose of making music. ... Loudness is the quality of a sound which is high in volume (amplitude, or sound pressure). ... The glockenspiel (German, play of bells, also known as orchestra bells and, in its portable form, lyra) is a musical instrument in the percussion family. ... This article is about the modern musical instrument. ...
An ADSRenvelope is a component of many synthesizers, samplers, and other electronic musical instruments.
The envelope may be a discrete circuit or module (in the case of analog devices), or implemented as part of the unit's software (in the case of digital devices).
A synthesizer'sADSRenvelope is a way to tailor a "voice" (the technical term is timbre) for the synth, sometimes to help it sound more like a mechanical instrument.
An envelope generator (sometimes, and more justly, called a transient generator) makes an audio signal that smoothly rises and falls as if to control the loudness of a musical note as it rises and falls.
Envelope generators have come in many forms over the years, but the simples and the perennial favorite is the ADSRenvelope generator.
The ADSR generator reacts to these situations by canceling whatever remains of the attack and decay segments and continuing straight to the release segment.