Types of Synthesizers?
There are many types of synthsizers out there. Sometimes you will run into many of these terms describing the way a certain type of synthsizer produces its sounds. Its very common to refer to a synthesizer by the generic method the synthesizer uses.
This can lead to debates over which synths are better but it is basically a general way to classify synths.
Modular Synthesizers
Some of the earliest synthesizers were in a self contained unit which is what most of our synthsizers today use. These were mounted in large racks and connected with each other by 1/4 inch cables. Since you had to patch these cables together the sounds they made were called "patches". Modular synthesizers have the greatest freedom in terms of composing patches, and are still used in studios today.
Analog Synthesizers
These sythesizers use analog style units, such as filters and oscillators, that are controlled by voltage. Analog's are known to have more of a warm, pleasing sound, compared to most digitals.
Digital Synthesizers
Basically, digital synthesizers use digital methods to create sounds. These synthesizers contain a varity of analog components, the catch is that they are digitally controlled. In order to use it, you had to program into it on punchcards, this resticted its use.
Sample-Playback Synthesizers
The majority of this kind of synthesizer on todays market is sample based. These synthesizers contain hard coded samples. This makes the patches created used as the sound source. This can be processed through the various filters, and oscillators. Keep in mind this is just the samples that they took on the synth, not your own samples.
Samplers
Samplers are basically used it you want your own samples as the sound source. It is a device made to take any sound, "sample" it, process it, and play it back. Samplers give you considerable freedom to make any sound you want.
Software Synthesizers
The idea of of modeling software code to produce the sound, instead of using hardware methods, had emerged in the recent years, and continues to develop. The concept has been around for some time but only recently has in gotten popular in the general community. This plays in with the huge array of software synthesizers that only use the PC to generate the sound.
Drum Machines
These are special units that basically only contain drum sounds in them(usually). Drum machines usually have an internal sequencer that allows you to program in a drum song, and play it back. It allows you to pre-record and play back rythms while allowing you to play live on top of them.