There are too many great hardware wavetable synths to do justice in one article, so we’ve focused on a few legends - but if you’re interested in learning more about the history (or doing some auction hunting), don’t miss the Ensoniq Fizmo and Access Virus series. If you want to go further down this rabbit hole, this article from Sound on Sound is recommended. While sampled synthesis involves the use of a static digital sample, wavetable synthesis allows for the (optional) evolution of a waveform this is to say, while wavetable synths can sound like sampled synthesis, the evolving option (which is enabled by default on most classic wavetable sounds) differentiates it. Wait, so isn’t this just sampled synthesis? Let’s pause here to address a common confusion. The waveforms are stored in a table and a section of the wave is “scanned” to make the sound at any given moment – the segment is sometimes referred to as the “table lookup”. First conceived by musician and technologist Wolfgang Palm, wavetable synthesis involves the use of a digitally sampled waveform, which often then evolves as it is played. Part 1: Evolving SoundsĪt the risk of drilling the pun into the ground early, wavetable synthesis first emerged in the early 80s and quickly became a core component of the New Wave sound. David Abravanel took a deep dive into the history of wavetable synthesis, and got some insider info from the Ableton sound team, for this primer on everything you need to know to get wavey. As you can see and hear from the video above, Wavetable is capable of angelic pads, analog-style squelch, eerie sci-fi effects, and all sorts of evolving sounds, and at its heart is a new approach to wavetable synthesis.

Wavetable is a brand new instrument native to Ableton Live 10.

Korg wavestation plugin