(Created page with "'''Polyphony''' is a property of musical instruments that means that they can play multiple notes simultaneously. Instruments featuring polyphony are said to be '''polyphonic'...") |
|||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
====Synths using voice allocation==== |
====Synths using voice allocation==== |
||
| − | In the early-to-mid-1970s, the |
+ | In the early-to-mid-1970s, the [[Keyboard matrix (music)|digital keyboard scanning]] and voice allocation technologies were independently developed by [[Yamaha]]<ref name=Yamaha2014> |
{{cite web |
{{cite web |
||
| title = [Chapter 1] Origins of the Yamaha Synthesizer |
| title = [Chapter 1] Origins of the Yamaha Synthesizer |
||
Revision as of 20:28, 24 February 2018
Polyphony is a property of musical instruments that means that they can play multiple notes simultaneously. Instruments featuring polyphony are said to be polyphonic. Instruments that are not capable of polyphony are monophonic or paraphonic.
Synthesizer
Monophonic
A monophonic synthesizer or monosynth is a synthesizer that produces only one note at a time, making it smaller and cheaper than a polyphonic synthesizer which can play multiple notes at once. This does not necessarily refer to a synthesizer with a single oscillator; The Minimoog, for example, has three oscillators which are settable in arbitrary intervals, but it can play only one note at a time.
Well-known monosynths include the Minimoog, the Roland TB-303, and the Korg Prophecy.
Duophonic
Duophonic synthesizers, such as the ARP Odyssey and Formanta Polivoks built in the 1970s and 1980s respectively, have a capability to independently play two pitches at a time. These synthesizers have at least two oscillators that are separately controllable, and a duophonic keyboard that can generate two control voltage signals for the lowest- and highest-note. When two or more keys are pressed simultaneously, the lowest- and highest-note will be heard. When only one key is pressed, both oscillators are assigned to one note, possibly with a more complex sound.
Polyphonic
Synths using voice allocation
In the early-to-mid-1970s, the digital keyboard scanning and voice allocation technologies were independently developed by Yamaha[1] and Roland Corporation (RS-101 in 1975 and RS-202 in 1976).[2][3]
The Yamaha GX1 (1973) had voice allocation technology that was used to assign the limited 8-voices per manual into the notes.[1] It was succeeded by the portable Yamaha CS-80 (1976), which was successful[4] and became one of the most popular polyphonic analog synths.[5][6]
Number of voices
A notable polyphonic synth, the Yamaha CS-80 released in 1976, had eight-voice polyphony,[7][5][6] as did the Yamaha GX-1 released in 1973.[8] Six-voice polyphony was standard by the mid-1980s. With the advent of digital synthesizers, 16-voice polyphony became standard by the late 1980s. 64-voice polyphony was common by the mid-1990s and 128-note polyphony arrived shortly after.
See also
- Electronic musical instrument: Polyphony
- Monophonic (synthesizers)
- Music sequencer
- Paraphony
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 [Chapter 1] Origins of the Yamaha Synthesizer. History, Yamaha Synth 40th Anniversary. Yamaha Corporation. “... Introduced in 1975, the GX-1 was ... In 1973, Yamaha completed development work on a prototype codenamed the GX-707. Based on cluster voltage control, this instrument could be regarded as the predecessor of the Electone GX-1. ... As the flagship model in the Electone lineup, however, this prototype was conceived of as a theatre model for use on the concert stage. With a console weighing in excess of 300 kg and a separate board required for editing tones, it was not well suited for sale to the general public, and to this day is still considered a niche instrument.", "Why digital technology in an analog synth? ... It was thus clear that new control technology would be required in order to use a limited number of circuits in a more effective manner. ... This type of device was known as a key assigner, and it can rightly be called the predecessor of today's dynamic voice allocation (DVA) technology. Back in the early seventies, when tone generators still relied on analog technology, digital circuitry was already being put to use in these key assigners.”
- ↑ Jenkins, Mark (2009). Analog Synthesizers: Understanding, Performing, Buying--From the Legacy of Moog to Software Synthesis. CRC Press. p. 89. ISBN 978-1-136-12278-1.
- ↑ A TALE OF TWO STRING SYNTHS, Sound on Sound, July 2002
- ↑ Jenkins 2007
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 The World's most desirable and valuable synthesizers and drum machines. Attack Magazine. Retrieved on 2014-11-12
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 The Schmidt synth and the CS80. Synthtopia (2011-04-07).
- ↑ "Yamaha CS80 - Polysynth (Retro)". Reviews : Keyboard. Sound On Sound (July 1995). Archived from the original on 2015-06-07. http://web.archive.org/web/20150607060748/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1995_articles/jul95/yamahacs80.html. "CS80 was launched in 1976", "CS80 could almost be thought of as two polyphonic synths, because there are two independent 8-voice sections available."
- ↑ Jenkins 2007, p. 120