Waveform

A waveform is the repeating shape an oscillator traces, and its geometry directly determines which harmonics are present and how loud each one is. Simple analog waveforms each have a distinct character: the sine has no harmonics and sounds pure, the sawtooth contains all harmonics and sounds bright and buzzy, the square contains only odd harmonics and sounds hollow, and the triangle is soft with weak upper harmonics. Because timbre comes from harmonic content, the choice of waveform is the starting point for every sound you design. Wavetable synths extend this idea by storing many waveforms and letting you scan between them, but the underlying principle — shape determines tone — stays the same.