GlossarySynthesis
ADSR
ADSR is a four-stage envelope that shapes how a sound evolves over time: Attack (time to reach full volume), Decay (time to fall to sustain level), Sustain (held volume while key is pressed), and Release (fade time after key release). ADSR envelopes control amplitude, filter cutoff, and other parameters in virtually every synthesizer.
Understanding ADSR in the context of EDM synthesis:
- Attack: Short attack (0–10ms) gives a punchy, percussive feel—used for plucks and stabs. Long attack (100ms+) creates a soft fade-in swell—used for pads and atmospheres.
- Decay: Controls how quickly the initial peak falls to the sustain level. Short decay creates a sharp, transient sound; longer decay gives a fading quality that adds movement.
- Sustain: The level the sound holds while a note is held. 100% sustain creates a constant tone; 0% sustain creates a percussive sound that fades immediately after the attack/decay phase regardless of how long the note is held.
- Release: Short release (0–50ms) creates a tight, clipped sound. Long release (500ms+) lets notes ring out after release—common for pads and atmospheric textures.
ADSR envelopes can be applied not just to amplitude but also to filter cutoff, pitch, and any other modulation destination the synthesizer exposes.