Examining the Wording of Digital Synthesizer Presets to Help Novice Producers

Author

Nicholas O'Toole, Union College - Schenectady, NYFollow

Date of Award

6-2022

Document Type

Open Access

Department

Computer Science

First Advisor

Chris Fernandes

Abstract

My research looks into the use of ”presets” in digital synthesizers, which alter the timbre (quality) of the synthesizer’s sound by loading in pre-selected configurations of settings. My study compares imagery- based and feelings-based preset names – for example, Cloud City Keys and Mellow lead, respectively – in an attempt to see which better predicts the sound it represents. Through my results, I will then explain how the wording of these preset names affected my subjects’ perception of certain sounds. The results I found lead me to believe that imagery-based preset names could be representative of their respective presets’ sounds.

Recommended Citation

O'Toole, Nicholas, "Examining the Wording of Digital Synthesizer Presets to Help Novice Producers" (2022). Honors Theses. 2613.
https://digitalworks.union.edu/theses/2613