A digital synthesizer is
a synthesizer that uses digital
signal processing (DSP)
techniques to make musical
sounds. This in contrast to
older analog synthesizers,
which produce music
using analog electronics,
and samplers, which play back
digital recordings of acoustic,
electric, or electronic
instruments. Some digital
synthesizers emulate analog
synthesizers; others include
sampling capability in
addition to digital synthesis.
ANALOG VS.
DIGITAL
The main difference is that a digital synthesizer uses digital
processors and analog synthesizers use analog circuitry. A digital
synthesizer is in essence a computer with (often) a piano-keyboard
and an LCD as an interface. An analog synthesizer is made up of
sound-generating circuitry and modulators. Because computer
technology is rapidly advancing, it is often possible to offer more
features in a digital synthesizer than in an analog synthesizer at a
given price. However, both technologies have their own merit.
Some forms of synthesis, such as, for
instance, sampling and additive synthesis are not feasible in
analog synthesizers, while on the other hand, many musicians
prefer the character of analog synthesizers over their digital
equivalent.