Synchronization. (1) The process of time-locking a number of normally independent and free-running systems. Where one of these is a tape recorder, the term tape sync is used: one track of the tape is used to carry a sync track which is used to provide timing for the other devices. Two devices are said to be “in sync” when they are locked together with respect to time, so that the events generated by each of them will always fall into predictable time relationships. See also SMPTE timecode, crystal sync, sel-sync, jam sync.
(2) In a synthesizer with two or more oscillators, the ability to lock the frequency of the slave, to a master. This has the effect of eliminating the beating which can occur if one is slightly out of tune with respect to the other. If the slave’s frequency is adjusted higher than the master, there will be no actual change in frequency, but an alteration in the harmonics, giving the composite sound a different timbre. This is most effective if the frequency of the slave is modulated constantly, perhaps with an envelope generator, to produce a distinctive wailing sound.
(3) The operating mode of tape recorders that uses the sel-sync process of playback.
(4) In a synthesizer with two or more oscillators, the ability to lock the frequency of the slave, to a master. This has the effect of eliminating the beating which can occur if one is slightly out of tune with respect to the other. If the slave’s frequency is adjusted higher than the master, there will be no actual change in frequency, but an alteration in the harmonics, giving the composite sound a different timbre. This is most effective if the frequency of the slave is modulated constantly, perhaps with an envelope generator, to produce a distinctive kind of wailing sound.