WAVETABLE SYNTHESIS
A synth technique used by elites from Tangerine Dream to Skrillex, wavetable synthesis literally adds whole new dimensions of texture and movement to your sound design. But how does it work? Our comprehensive guide is here to help…
40 years ago, legendary synth designer Wolfgang Palm introduced the world to wavetable synthesis with his PPG Wave 2 synth. Unlike the static waveforms of an analogue oscillator, a wavetable oscillator loads a template – the wavetable itself – with descriptions of different waveforms. The oscillator reads and reproduces these, adjusting playback rate to control the pitch.