synthesizer

American  

[sin-thuh-sahy-zer] / ˈsɪn θəˌsaɪ zər /

noun

1. a person or thing that synthesizes.

2. any of various electronic, sometimes portable consoles or modules, usually computerized, for creating, modifying, and combining tones or reproducing the sounds of musical instruments by controlling voltage patterns, operated by means of keyboards, joysticks, sliders, or knobs.

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synthesizer British  

/ ˈsɪnθɪˌsaɪzə /

noun

1. an electrophonic instrument, usually operated by means of a keyboard and pedals, in which sounds are produced by voltage-controlled oscillators, filters, and amplifiers, with an envelope generator module that controls attack, decay, sustain, and release

2. a person or thing that synthesizes

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Etymology

Origin of synthesizer

First recorded in 1865–70; 1905–10 synthesizer for def. 2; synthesize + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The album’s opener, “What Can I Say,” is a rollicking, danceable breakup song fortified by a sharp backbeat, funky bassline and synthesizer strings.

From The Wall Street Journal

He was an early adopter of every musical tool—including the Moog synthesizer—that he could get his hands on.

From The Wall Street Journal

It combines drum machines, synthesizers, strings and a reversed sample from a 1960 film soundtrack.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Taborn was, he told me, “surrounded” in the recording studio—a Steinway here, a Farfisa organ there, a Roland synthesizer, and so on, among which he moved in real time.

From The Wall Street Journal

Expansive vocal backgrounds were blended with a pronounced bass, synthesizers, chattering horns and pounding drums.

From The Wall Street Journal