Building Synth Voices

Now that you know oscillators and filters, let’s combine them into complete synthesizer voices with amplitude envelopes.

The Problem with Raw Oscillators

A raw oscillator plays constantly:

osc("saw", 220) |> out(%, %)

For musical notes, we need the sound to start and stop - that’s what envelopes do.

Attack-Release Envelopes

The ar envelope creates a simple shape triggered by a clock:

// Envelope only (no sound)
ar(trigger(2)) |> out(%, %)

Multiply your oscillator by the envelope:

// Plucky synth - envelope controls volume
osc("saw", 220) * ar(trigger(2)) |> out(%, %)

Shaping the Envelope

The ar function takes attack and release times:

// Fast attack, short release - percussive
osc("saw", 220) * ar(trigger(4), 0.001, 0.1) |> out(%, %)

// Slow attack, long release - pad-like
osc("saw", 220) * ar(trigger(1), 0.3, 1.0) |> out(%, %)

A Complete Synth Voice

Combine oscillator, filter, and envelope:

// Classic subtractive synth
osc("saw", 110)
    |> lp(%, 800)
    * ar(trigger(2), 0.01, 0.3)
    |> out(%, %)

Filter Envelope

Make the filter open and close with each note:

// Filter follows its own envelope
osc("saw", 110)
    |> lp(%, 200 + ar(trigger(2), 0.01, 0.2) * 2000)
    * ar(trigger(2), 0.01, 0.5)
    |> out(%, %)

Layering Oscillators

Combine multiple oscillators for richer sounds:

// Two detuned saws
(osc("saw", 110) + osc("saw", 110.5)) * 0.5
    |> lp(%, 1000)
    * ar(trigger(2))
    |> out(%, %)

// Octave layering
(osc("saw", 110) + osc("saw", 220) * 0.5) * 0.5
    |> moog(%, 600, 2)
    * ar(trigger(2))
    |> out(%, %)

Adding Sub Bass

Layer a sine wave an octave below for weight:

// Main oscillator plus sub
osc = osc("saw", 110) + osc("sin", 55) * 0.5
osc |> lp(%, 800) * ar(trigger(2)) |> out(%, %)

ADSR Envelopes

For more control, use adsr with attack, decay, sustain, and release:

// Sustained pad with ADSR
osc("saw", 220) * adsr(trigger(0.5), 0.1, 0.2) |> out(%, %)

Building a Bass Patch

Let’s build a complete bass sound:

// Punchy bass
bass_freq = 55
filter_env = ar(trigger(2), 0.01, 0.15)
amp_env = ar(trigger(2), 0.005, 0.3)

osc("saw", bass_freq)
    |> moog(%, 200 + filter_env * 1500, 2)
    * amp_env
    |> saturate(%, 2)
    |> out(%, %)

Building a Lead Patch

A bright, cutting lead sound:

// Screaming lead
lead_freq = 440
(osc("saw", lead_freq) + osc("sqr", lead_freq) * 0.3)
    |> lp(%, 2000 + ar(trigger(4)) * 3000, 4)
    * ar(trigger(4), 0.01, 0.2)
    |> out(%, %)

Storing Voices as Variables

Keep your patches organized:

// Define the voice
synth = osc("saw", 220) |> lp(%, 800) * ar(trigger(2))

// Use it
synth |> out(%, %)

Next Steps

You now know the fundamentals of synthesis! Continue to:

• Rhythm & Patterns to create beats and sequences
• Explore Effects to add space and character

You’re making real synthesizer sounds with Akkado!