beautypg.com

The pulse wave – Waldorf Pulse 2 User Manual

Page 49

background image

Sound Synthesis Basics

49

Pulse 2 User Manual

Additive components of the square wave with 50%

pulse width




The Pulse Wave

The Pulse Wave is the most versatile wave in a classic
synthesizer because its shape and therefore its harmonic
content can be changed in real time. This is done by
changing the width of the upper and lower portion of
the waveform cycle. These portions are called pulses,
hence the name pulse width. The width of the first pulse
is used to distinguish between different pulse waves and
it is measured in percent. The following picture shows
several pulse waves with different pulse widths:

1 3 5 7 9

Frequency

Magnitude

Time

Amplitude

+

=

1st Harmonic

Magnitude 1

5th Harmonic

Magnitude 1/5

7th Harmonic

Magnitude 1/7

Harmonics

+

+

+

.

.

11 13 15

3rd Harmonic

Magnitude 1/3