synthesizer

[ sin-thuh-sahy-zer ]

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.

synthesizer

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of synthesizer¹

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

Example Sentences

She wrote letters to Santa begging for a synthesizer and later balanced violin lessons with listening to the rock band Radiohead.

From MIT Technology Review

In more recent years, he’s joined West on tour to play synthesizer, piano and guitar.

From Time

The Producer and step-up Signature editions of FL Studio have full audio recording and powerful synthesizers, virtual instruments, and effects, but they also include unique extras like the Visualizer for rendering 4K videos with your music.

From Popular-Science

Now Pioneer DJ has studio monitors to complement its other gear, which includes everything from headphones to PA speakers to samplers and synthesizers for music production.

From Popular-Science

Like all that synthesizer coming at you as the point rather than background.

From Vox

Wikipedia describes her as a "singing synthesizer application with a female persona," created by Crypton Future Media.

From The Daily Beast

These were then declaimed by a speech synthesizer, with the androidal American accent that has thereafter become his trademark.

From The Daily Beast

When the last machine breaks and the final food synthesizer collapses the people will die.

From Project Gutenberg

He recognized the latest model lie-detector, a rather outdated narco-synthesizer, a Class B Psychocomputer.

From Project Gutenberg