The position of a point within a wave cycle, measured in degrees (°). A full cycle is 360°, so phase indicates how far along the wave is at a given moment relative to the start of its cycle.
Examples:
- A 0° phase starts at the wave’s peak.
- A 180° phase is at the wave’s trough (halfway through the cycle).
- A 90° phase is at the midpoint rising, while 270° is the midpoint falling.
Why It Matters
Phase is crucial in synthesis and sound design because it affects how waveforms interact and behave over time.
- In Stereo Effects: Adjusting phase between the left and right channels creates a sense of spatial width. For instance, shifting the phase slightly in one channel produces a stereo widening effect.
- In Modulation: Misaligned phases in modulating signals can lead to unintended results. For example, aligning the phase of an LFO modulating a filter ensures the modulation starts exactly where you want it in the filter’s cycle.
- In Oscillator Syncing: Two oscillators with misaligned phases can produce beating or phase drift. Aligning their phases eliminates this, ensuring a stable and consistent sound.
- In Phase Cancellation: When two waves are 180° out of phase, they cancel each other out, which is often used intentionally for noise reduction (e.g., in noise-canceling headphones).
Phase is not just a theoretical concept; it’s a practical tool for achieving precise timing, spatial effects, and creative control in your sound design.
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