Waldorf Rocket - Manual (Page 27)

Sound Synthesis Basics
27 Rocket User´s 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 sever-
al 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