Docs: update synths.rst — 41 waveforms, all 24 dedicated synths

Added: pedal steel, theremin, kalimba, steel drum, accordion,
didgeridoo, bagpipe, banjo, mandolin, ukulele. Updated counts.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
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2026-03-27 20:31:31 -04:00
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Synthesizers
============
PyTheory includes 30 built-in waveforms and 10 ADSR envelope presets.
PyTheory includes 41 built-in waveforms and 10 ADSR envelope presets.
Every sound is generated from scratch -- no samples or external audio
files needed.
@@ -390,11 +390,11 @@ Dedicated Instrument Synths
--------------------------
Beyond the classic and physical modeling waveforms, PyTheory includes
17 dedicated instrument synths. Each one uses tailored synthesis
24 dedicated instrument synths. Each one uses tailored synthesis
techniques -- additive harmonics, formant shaping, body resonance
modeling, and specialized envelopes -- to capture the character of a
specific acoustic instrument. These are the waveforms that bring the
total count to 30.
total count to 41.
Piano Synth
~~~~~~~~~~~
@@ -558,6 +558,107 @@ mids, reed buzz, and brass body warmth. Four presets: ``saxophone``,
sax = score.part("sax", instrument="tenor_sax")
Pedal Steel Synth
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Nashville crying sound — singing harmonics with slow vibrato
and long sustain. Pairs naturally with spring reverb.
.. code-block:: python
steel = score.part("steel", instrument="pedal_steel")
Theremin Synth
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pure sine with natural hand wobble — the eerie sci-fi sound.
Best used with legato and glide for continuous pitch.
.. code-block:: python
theremin = score.part("theremin", instrument="theremin")
Kalimba Synth
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Metal tines on a wooden body. Bright, bell-like attack with
inharmonic overtones (modes at 1x, 2.92x, 5.4x).
.. code-block:: python
kalimba = score.part("kalimba", instrument="kalimba")
Steel Drum Synth
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hammered metal pan with bright, ringing, tropical character.
Inharmonic partials at 2.0x, 3.01x, 4.1x, 5.3x.
.. code-block:: python
pan = score.part("pan", instrument="steel_drum")
Accordion Synth
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Musette-tuned doubled reeds — two slightly detuned reed sets
create natural beating. Bellows pressure swell modulates amplitude.
.. code-block:: python
acc = score.part("acc", instrument="accordion")
Didgeridoo Synth
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Deep cylindrical drone with shifting formant overtones. The
overtone singing effect sweeps a resonant peak between 500-1500Hz.
Best with cave reverb.
.. code-block:: python
didg = score.part("didg", instrument="didgeridoo")
Bagpipe Synth
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bright chanter reed with constant bag pressure. All harmonics
peaked around 3-7 (the piercing brightness). No dynamics — always ff.
.. code-block:: python
pipes = score.part("pipes", instrument="bagpipe")
Banjo Synth
~~~~~~~~~~~
Steel strings on a drum-head membrane body. The membrane gives
nasal, ringy resonance with faster decay than guitar.
.. code-block:: python
banjo = score.part("banjo", instrument="banjo")
Mandolin Synth
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Paired steel strings in 4 courses — natural chorus from the
doubled unison strings. Bright, ringing, fast attack.
.. code-block:: python
mando = score.part("mando", instrument="mandolin")
Ukulele Synth
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nylon strings on a small body. Mid-heavy resonance (no deep bass),
softer attack than guitar, shorter sustain.
.. code-block:: python
uke = score.part("uke", instrument="ukulele")
Granular Synth
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~