What exactly is phase invert and why do you need to know how to invert the phase of a sound? Here’s the answer…
The phase invert function is an essential part of a (subtractive) synthesizer that you can usually find in the oscillators area.
What are oscillators?
An oscillator is a function of a synthesizer where you can generate an audio signal. The audio signal, aka “soundwave” or “waveform”, can be shaped and tweaked to produce a unique sound. So, an oscillator is the absolute starting point of your sound design process. Thus, it’s very important to understand all the settings that come with it, such as phase invert.
How to use phase invert
One of the options on your synthesizer is the phase invert function. By using phase invert, you can flip the generated waveform upside down. Literally, you can invert the signal the oscillator is producing.
Just like the phase offset setting, you don’t really notice the effect when you only have one active oscillator. However, when you add another one into the mix, these phase differences will clearly show.
Choose phase invert to swap the waveform
By using phase invert, you can create unique phase relationships between all the available voices. Thereby, it’s your job to find phase relationships that sound interesting. Once you’re happy with how it sounds, you can tweak the other settings, which we will explore next in the complete “Synthesizer for beginners” series.
Synthesizer for beginners
The “Synthesizer for Beginners” series is a huge collection of quick lessons about sound design and synthesis. Each lesson explains one part of how a subtractive synthesizer works, which is vital to know if you’re an electronic music producer.
Most people have the attention span of a butterfly and therefore miss all the important tips later in my videos and posts. Still, I don’t want you to miss a thing and that’s why you will see these short clips on Screech House. Each short clip explains a bite-sized topic from one of my longer videos. This gives everyone the chance to focus solely on what they need and thereby also saving a lot of time.
Today’s short clip is from the 4-part “Synthesizer Explained” video course. Watch the full episodes here:
Synthesizer explained!
The “Synthesizer Explained” video course is now finally available as an exclusive guide. This easy-to-read book is jam-packed with valuable info about the essential basics of sounds design, including practical tips and bonus cheat sheets.
Since the day of release, many people have already read it. But if you haven’t, click this link to get your copy: Synthesizer Explained.
Make sure to get it now, else you risk being too late, and I don’t want you to miss out.