Ashwin Pillay

Ashwin Pillay

Since its conception, digital synthesis has significantly influenced the advancement of music, leading to new genres and production styles. Through existing synthesis techniques, one can recreate naturally occurring sounds as well as generate innovative artificial timbres. However, research in audio technology continues to pursue new methods of synthesizing sounds, keeping the transformation of music constant. This research attempts to formulate the framework of a new synthesis technique by redefining the popular Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) algorithm used in feedback-based process control. The framework is then implemented as a Python application to study the available control parameters and their effect on the synthesized output. Further, applications of this technique as an audio signal and LFO generator, including its potentiality as an alternative to FM and Wavetable synthesis techniques, are studied in detail. The research concludes by highlighting some of the imperfections in the current framework and the possible research directions to be considered to address them.

Ashwin Pillay

Audio envelopes serve a crucial role in ensuring the versatility of synthesizers in producing timbres. To this end, the Attack, Decay, Release and Sustain (ADSR) envelope generator and its derivatives have been established as a mainstay in modern music. However, there may be merit in exploring alternate techniques to produce envelopes that could not only resemble ADSR but also be used to create novel timbres. Consequently, an attempt is made in this research to formulate the framework of a new envelope generator by redefining the Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) algorithm used in feedback-based process control. Additionally, a detailed analysis is made on the modes of operation and the nature of envelopes thus generated to establish it as a potential harbinger of distinctive styles of music.