Definition: Synthesizer

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Etymology

From synthesis, from Latin synthesis, from Ancient Greek σÏνθεσις or súnthesis (a putting together, composition), from συντίθημι or suntíthÄ“mi (put together, combine), from συν- or sun- (together) + τίθημι or títhÄ“mi (set, place), plus suffixes -ize and -er.

Noun

synthesizer (plural synthesizers)

  1. (music) An electronic musical instrument that creates its sounds with electronics and generally is played via a keyboard.
  2. (music) An electronic instrument consisting of a module, or a set of modules, that creates its sounds with electronics and does not have any keyboard.
  3. (electronics) An electronic circuit that generates an electronic signal oscillation with accurate timing from a reference oscillator.
  4. (electronics) An electronic device that generates electronic signal patterns to test an electronic circuit.
  5. (software) A software program that allows a computer to be used as a musical instrument – virtual instrument

Derived terms

  • synthesist
  • speech synthesizer
  • voice synthesizer

Credits

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