Kernel Bob Apr 11

How are splines used in audio?

Spline curves and surfaces are ubiquitous in graphics: curves, surfaces, paths, colors, fonts, etc. But I can't think of any applications for splines in audio processing. Help me out; where do they occur?

Thanks!

#synth #audio

Show threadGraham Dunning
@kbob I'm not quite sure I understand what you mean, but immediately made me think of fade in/out curves, cross-fades, etc (in a DAW) then other automation curves for whatever parameter.
In the analogue realm you have your LFO shapes, envelope shapes (ADSR with various curves). FM synthesis might also use a bunch of these to enable shifting timbre.
Apr 11 at 10:37pmWeb
Show threadKernel Bob Apr 11
@grahamdunning That's the right kind of thing. You're probably right about automation curves, though I don't know for sure. I've never seen an envelope or LFO use spline profiles; do you know of any?
Show threadGraham DunningApr 12
@kbob ah, guess I was thinking too broadly about curve shapes, rather than splines specifically.
I think FL studio has graphical envelopes in the channel sample editors, but can't remember if they use spline points.