Subharmonic synthesizer
Encyclopedia
A subharmonic synthesizer is a device or system that generates subharmonics of an input signal. The nth subharmonic of a signal of fundamental frequency
F is a signal with frequency F/n. This differs from ordinary harmonics, where the nth harmonic of fundamental frequency F is a signal of frequency nF.
Subharmonic synthesizers can be used in professional audio applications as bass enhancement devices.
Other uses for subharmonic synthesizers include the application in bandwidth extension
. A subharmonic synthesizer can be used to extend low frequency response due to bandwidth limitations of telephone systems.
Subharmonic synthesizers are used extensively in certain genres of music such as rock, or country. They are often implemented to enhance the lower frequencies, in an attempt to gain a "heavier" or more vibrant sound. Various harmonics can be amplified or modulated, although it is most common to boost the fundamental frequency's lower octave. The kick drum can benefit greatly from this type of processing. A subharmonic synthesizer (or "synth" as it is known in the industry) creates a bigger presence and can give the music that much sought after "punch".
Frequency
Frequency is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit time. It is also referred to as temporal frequency.The period is the duration of one cycle in a repeating event, so the period is the reciprocal of the frequency...
F is a signal with frequency F/n. This differs from ordinary harmonics, where the nth harmonic of fundamental frequency F is a signal of frequency nF.
Subharmonic synthesizers can be used in professional audio applications as bass enhancement devices.
Other uses for subharmonic synthesizers include the application in bandwidth extension
Bandwidth extension
Bandwidth extension of signal is defined as the deliberate process of expanding the frequency range of a signal in which it contains an appreciable and useful content, and/or the frequency range in which its effects are such...
. A subharmonic synthesizer can be used to extend low frequency response due to bandwidth limitations of telephone systems.
Subharmonic synthesizers are used extensively in certain genres of music such as rock, or country. They are often implemented to enhance the lower frequencies, in an attempt to gain a "heavier" or more vibrant sound. Various harmonics can be amplified or modulated, although it is most common to boost the fundamental frequency's lower octave. The kick drum can benefit greatly from this type of processing. A subharmonic synthesizer (or "synth" as it is known in the industry) creates a bigger presence and can give the music that much sought after "punch".