ultimate newie starting DIY-ing

[Jim Patchell]

Eggbird wrote:

> Hi
>
> I am an ultimate newie in the DIY of synths. I and a school mate are trying to
> build an analogue synth for a school project on which we should spend 80 hours
> of work.
> To start we need some answeres to our questions:
>
> 1. What is the exact definition of an analogue synth?
>

    One that isn't digital....Ok, flip answer.  Circuits where the signals are
represented by voltages or currents.  A digital synth, the signals would be
represented by numbers.

>
> 2. On what physical/mathematical principle(s) is an analogue synth based?

    One thing for sure, you can come up with some really good questions.  That one
I will have to pass on.  Not exactly one I have ever thought about.

>
>
> 3. What are the functions of the different parts in a synth? (oscilator,
> condensator, etc.) Mayby this question can be answered with a link to a
> usefull URL. I would not bother you with such elaborate questions.

Short answer:
    oscilator-genereates the tones
    filter-attenuates or acents portions of frequency spectra
    amplifier-controls signal stregnth
    envelope generator-generates control contours, generally for controlling the
filters and amplifiers
    condensator....isn't that one of the components in a flux capacitor?

>
> That's it for this time,
>
> hope I can reach your level of discussion (about hydrogen balloons for
> example!!)

    After you have learned all about hydrogen balloons, it is then time to
graduate to thermite.

    -Jim