Sound Synthesizer

Oscillator(s) → mixer → filter → amplifier (VCA) → output. The amplifier and filter are usually modulated by envelopes (one per amplifier and filter, "ADSR"). Optional: LFO (low-frequency oscillator) modulating pitch (vibrato), filter (wah), or amplitude (tremolo).

• Oscillator — generates raw waveform. Sine = pure tone, square = hollow / hard, sawtooth = bright / brassy, triangle = mellow / flute-like, noise = hiss / wind.
• Filter — shapes the harmonics. Lowpass cuts highs (mellower), highpass cuts lows (thinner), bandpass keeps a narrow band (wah, vocal-like).
• Envelope (ADSR) — controls how a parameter changes over a note. Attack (rise from zero), Decay (fall to sustain level), Sustain (level while key held), Release (fall to zero after key release).
• LFO — slow oscillator (typically <20 Hz) for modulation. Adds movement to otherwise static sounds.

• Subtractive — start with rich waveform, filter to taste. Most analog synths. What this tool does.
• FM (Frequency Modulation) — modulate one oscillator with another. DX7 (Yamaha, 1983) made this famous. Produces electric piano, bells, brass. Math-heavy; programming is non-intuitive.
• Additive — combine many sine waves at different frequencies. Theoretically can produce any sound; in practice tedious to program.
• Wavetable — store cycling tables of waveforms; sweep through them over time. Modern digital synths (Serum, Vital, Massive) are predominantly wavetable.
• Granular — chop audio into tiny grains, manipulate playback rate / position. Atmospheric, textural sounds.
• Physical modeling — simulate string / drum / wind physics mathematically. Pianoteq, Mass-Spring-Damper synths.
• Sampling — play back recorded sounds. Most "realistic" synths (Kontakt libraries) are samplers with extensive modulation.

• You are learning synthesis and want a hands-on minimal example.
• You need a quick sound effect (alarm tone, alert, UI feedback sound) without firing up Logic / Ableton.
• You are designing a sound for a game or app and want to prototype before committing to a sample.
• You want to demonstrate "what is a filter envelope" to someone curious about audio.

• It will not replace a DAW. For multi-track recording, mixing, effects, mastering — use Logic, Ableton, FL Studio, Reaper, or others.
• It will not have professional sound libraries. Browser synthesizers have basic oscillators; commercial soft-synths (Serum, Diva, Omnisphere) have years of refined waveforms and presets.
• It will not record. For capturing the sound, use a screen recorder while playing OR an external DAW.
• It will not emulate specific hardware exactly. The Moog Voyager, Prophet 5, Juno 60 each have unique character that decades of analog engineering produced; browser synths approximate but do not replicate.