Additive synthesis



![Sinusoidal analysis/synthesis system for Sinusoidal Modeling (based on McAulay & Quatieri 1988, p. 161)[13]](/uploads/202412/18/Sinusoidal_Analysis_&_Synthesis_(McAulay-Quatieri_1988).svg1804.png)
Additive synthesis is a sound synthesis technique that creates timbre by adding sine waves together.
The timbre of musical instruments can be considered in the light of Fourier theory to consist of multiple harmonic or inharmonic partials or overtones. Each partial is a sine wave of different frequency and amplitude that swells and decays over time.