Wavetable synthesis

Wavetable synthesis plays short, looping single-cycle waveforms from a table and sweeps across them to change timbre while pitch holds still.

A wavetable holds a series of single-cycle frames. An envelope, LFO, or direct control can move the playing position through them, changing the oscillator's harmonic content while its pitch stays the same. Each frame loops in the oscillator, allowing evolving tones with modest processing cost. Instruments such as Serum and Vital use this technique.