[linux-audio-user] Re: Software for Sine Wave Generation

[Carlo Capocasa]

Hi Douglas

I'd use ZynAddSubFX for the job, because it's graphical, can do all you 
want here out of the box in one step, and can write the output to disk 
by itself. Here's a quick HowTo, if you get stuck on the way feel free 
to ask away.

1. Download (obviously). If you have Debian or Red Hat you can get the 
packages from AGNULA (highly recommended).
2. Start it up.
3. You'll see a grayish window with a ton of options and knobs. Make 
sure user interface mode is set to 'advanced' mode; if you see a 
keyboard on screen you are in beginner's mode, select 'Misc' -> 'Change 
user interface mode'.
4. Un-Select the 'Portamento' checkbox on the bottom left.
5. Open the internal 'Virtual Keyboard' by clicking the greenish 'vK' 
button on the top right.
6. Play around with it; you should be hearing Sine waves. You should be 
able to produce your Pseudo-Harmonics right on the computer keyboard. I 
was able to produce the Pseudo-Harmonics you mentioned by pressing C, M, 
E and T simultaneously (replace T with 6 for major 3rd).

To create envelopes:

1. Click the big, friendly 'Edit Instrument' button
2. Click the big, friendly 'Edit' button under the 'AddSynth' label 
(check enable in case it isn't)
3. You are now at the heart of ZynAddSubFX's analogue synthesizer (well, 
actually you're at a GUI controlling parameters which affect said 
heart). On the top left you will find a section of four knobs saying 
'Amplitude Envelope'. Turn 'S. Val' to zero and control the length of 
the envelope with 'D. Dt' (meaning Detain). check now and again in the 
Virtual keyboard'. Un-check the 'frcR' checkbox to disable cutoff on 
releasing keys (useful if your PC keyboard doesn't support more than one 
key)

To create real harmonics:

1. Go to the AddSynth parameter dialogue again
2. Click the 'Show Voice Parameters' button on the bottom left
3. Click the 'Change' button on the bottom left
4. The sliders control the all the harmonics' volumes. Play with them a 
little and enjoy the sound.

To record:
1. In the main window, select 'Record' -> 'Choose WAV file'
2. Enter something you will find again
3. Hit the red 'Rec' button below the menu and play away

Hope this helps!

Carlo