Editing Wavetable synthesis (section)

== Principle ==

Wavetable synthesis is fundamentally based on [[periodic function|periodic]] reproduction of multiple arbitrary, single-cycle [[waveform]]s.{{sfn|Bristow-Johnson|1996}} In wavetable synthesis, some method is employed to vary or [[modulation|modulate]] the selected waveform in the wavetable.  The position in the wavetable selects the single cycle waveform. Digital [[interpolation]] between adjacent waveforms allows for dynamic and smooth changes of the timbre of the tone produced. Sweeping the wavetable in either direction can be controlled in a number of ways, for example, by use of an LFO, envelope, pressure or velocity.

Many wavetables used in PPG and Ensoniq synthesizers can simulate the methods used by [[analog synthesizer]]s, such as [[pulse-width modulation]] by utilising a number of [[Square wave (waveform)|square wave]]s of different [[duty cycle]]s. In this way, when the wavetable is swept, the duty cycle of the pulse wave will appear to change over time. As the early Ensoniq wavetable synthesizers had non resonant filters (the PPG Wave synthesizers used [[Curtis Electromusic Specialties|Curtis]] analogue resonant filters), some wavetables contained highly resonant waveforms to overcome this limitation of the filters.

=== Confusion with sample-based synthesis (S&S) and Digital Wave Synthesis ===

In 1992, with the introduction of the [[Creative Labs]] [[Sound Blaster 16]] the term "wavetable"<ref>{{cite web |title=Sound Blaster ISA Cards - Information and Troubleshooting |website=Creative Worldwide Support |url=http://support.creative.com/kb/ShowArticle.aspx?sid=5800 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202001938/http://support.creative.com/kb/ShowArticle.aspx?sid=5800 |archive-date=2012-02-02}}</ref> started to be (incorrectly) applied as a marketing term to their sound card. However, these sound cards did not employ any form of wavetable synthesis,<ref>{{cite web |title=Wavetable Synthesis |date=2018-04-05 |website=WikiAudio |url=https://www.wikiaudio.org/wavetable-synthesis/}}</ref> but rather [[pulse-code modulation|PCM]] samples and [[FM synthesis]].

S&S (Sample and Synthesis) and Digital Wave Synthesis was the main method of sound synthesis utilised by digital synthesizers starting in the mid 1980s with synthesizers such as Sequential Circuits Prophet VS, Korg DW6000/8000 (DW standing for Digital Wave), Roland D50 and Korg M1 through to current synthesizers.

[[Ableton]] addressed some confusion in an article:<ref>{{cite web |title=The New Wave: An In-Depth Look at Live 10's Wavetable |date=Nov 29, 2017 |website=Ableton |url=https://www.ableton.com/en/blog/new-wave-depth-look-wavetable/}}</ref>
{{blockquote|Wait, so isn't this just sampled synthesis? Let's pause here to address a common confusion. While sampled synthesis involves the use of a static digital sample, wavetable synthesis allows for the (optional) evolution of a waveform; this is to say, while wavetable synths can sound like sampled synthesis, the evolving option (which is enabled by default on most classic wavetable sounds) differentiates it.}}