Modular synths acronyms
Core Building Blocks
- VCO – Voltage Controlled Oscillator
- LFO – Low Frequency Oscillator
- VCA – Voltage Controlled Amplifier
- VCF – Voltage Controlled Filter
- EG / ENV – Envelope Generator
- ADSR – Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release (envelope stages)
- AR – Attack, Release (simpler envelope)
- ASR – Attack, Sustain, Release
Control & Modulation
- CV – Control Voltage
- FM – Frequency Modulation
- PM – Phase Modulation
- AM – Amplitude Modulation
- PWM – Pulse Width Modulation
- S&H – Sample and Hold
- LPG – Low Pass Gate
Sequencing & Timing
- CLK – Clock
- SEQ – Sequencer
- TRIG – Trigger (short pulse)
- GATE – Gate (sustained pulse, usually note on/off)
- SQR – Square Wave
- RND – Random
- BPM – Beats Per Minute
Filters & Effects
- LPF – Low Pass Filter
- HPF – High Pass Filter
- BPF – Band Pass Filter
- BRF – Band Reject Filter (notch)
- SVF – State Variable Filter
- VCF – Voltage Controlled Filter (general term)
- FX – Effects
- RNG – Ring Modulator
- WAV – Wavefolder / waveshaper
Signal Types
- AC – Alternating Current (bipolar signal, swings +/–)
- DC – Direct Current (unipolar, fixed offset or steady CV)
- LIN – Linear response (e.g., VCA/FM)
- EXP – Exponential response (e.g., envelope curves, VCA)
MIDI / Digital Integration
- MIDI – Musical Instrument Digital Interface
- CC – Continuous Controller (MIDI control type)
- DAW – Digital Audio Workstation
- ADAT – Alesis Digital Audio Tape (optical digital connection, used for multi-channel audio)
Utility Modules
- ATT / ATTEN – Attenuator
- ATT-INV – Attenuverter (attenuator + inverter)
- MIX – Mixer
- MULT – Multiple (signal splitter/duplicator)
- SUM – Summing mixer
- COMP – Compressor
Special Types
- DCO – Digitally Controlled Oscillator
- DSP – Digital Signal Processing
- PLL – Phase-Locked Loop (used in clocking/sync)
- DAC – Digital to Analog Converter
- ADC – Analog to Digital Converter