Glossary

Question 1

What does ADSR stand for?

Answer 1

Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release.

Question 2

What is ADSR

Answer 2

This is a simple type of envelope generator.
Was firstly used on analogue synths.
Continues to be popular on modern instruments.

Question 3

Attack

Answer 3

The time taken for a sound to reach maximum amplitude.

e.g Drums have a short amplitude, Strings have a slow attack.

Question 4

Amplitude

Answer 4

Another word for level. Can refer to sound level or electrical signal levels.

Question 5

Decay

Answer 5

The progressive reduction in amplitude of a sound or electrical signal over time. The decay starts as soon as the attach phase has reached it’s maximum level.

Question 6

Sustain

Answer 6

Sustain determines the level which the sound will settle if a key is held down. Once the key is released the sound decay at a rate set by the release.

Question 7

Slow decay

Answer 7

High sustain

Question 8

Low sustain

Answer 8

Fast decay

Question 9

Release

Answer 9

Time taken for a level or gain to return to normal.

Question 10

Gain

Answer 10

The amount by which a circuit amplifies a signal

Question 11

Automation

Answer 11

Programming adjustable parameters to operate automatically during playback and mixing.

Question 12

Parameters

Answer 12

The term is used particularly for pitch, loudness, duration, and timbre, though theorists or composers have sometimes considered other musical aspects as parameters.