AC

Alternating Current or “AC”, refers to electrical current or voltage that periodically reverses direction, in contrast to Direct Current (DC) which flows in one direction only. In the context of synthesizers, AC is typically associated with audio signals because they oscillate around a zero point, resembling the nature of alternating current.

Characteristics of AC in Synthesizers:

1. Signal Behavior: AC signals in synthesizers are the actual audio outputs that are characterized by their fluctuating voltage levels which create sound waves. These signals vary in amplitude and frequency, which are heard as the loudness and pitch of the sound, respectively.
2. Audio Processing: Most audio processing equipment and synthesizer modules are designed to handle AC signals. Processes like amplification, filtering, modulation, and effects are primarily applied to AC signals to shape the sound produced by a synthesizer.
3. Isolation from DC: It’s often important to isolate AC audio signals from any DC voltage that might be present, as DC can introduce noise, offset, and other unwanted effects. This is typically achieved through the use of capacitors or AC coupling settings on mixers and interfaces, ensuring that only the alternating component of the signal is processed for audio output.