Wavetable

1 definition found

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03) [foldoc]:

  wavetable
       
           A type of {sound generator} often built in a
          {sound card}.  A wavetable contains digitised samples of real
          instrument sounds or effect (FX) sounds.  A wavetable chip
          often also contains a drum kit sound to faciliate rhythm


          accompaniment.
       
          A recorded wavetable sound may be edited and enhanced by
          various effects (reverb, chorus) and layered with other
          waveforms before writing it to {ROM} or {RAM}.  The latter
          type serves as user sound memory.
       
          A wavetable generator is typically controlled by {MIDI} input.
          When a MIDI note-on signal is detected, the output part of a
          wavetable generator generates a sound with definitive pitch,
          typically a musical note.
       
          Wavetable sounds are used in games and music.  The more
          realistic wavetable sounds have all but replaced the earlier
          synthetic FM (frequency modulation) sound generation in sound
          cards but to ensure compatibility with older games etc., an FM
          part is usually included.
       
          The best known wavetable sound generators includes the {E-mu
          8000} chip, used in {Creative Labs}' {Sound Blaster} AWE-32
          card family and in E-mu keyboards.  Other wavetable cards are
          Gravis Ultra-Sound (GUS), ESS Cards, Opti, Zoltrix and many
          Roland cards.
       
          {E-Mu (http://www.emu.com /)}.
          {AWE-32(http://www.edu.isy.liu.se/~d93jesno/awe32.html)}.
          {Creative Labs (http://www.creaf.com/)}.
       
          (1997-11-04)