Synthesizer

A sound synthesizer (often abbreviated as "synthesizer" or "synth") is an electronic musical instrument capable of producing a wide range of sounds. Synthesizers may either imitate other instruments ("imitative synthesis") or generate new timbres. They can be played (controlled) via a variety of different input devices (including keyboards, music sequencers and instrument controllers). Synthesizers generate electric signals (waveforms), and can finally be converted to sound through loudspeakers or headphones. ... Synthesizers are often controlled with a piano-style keyboard. Other forms of controllers resemble fingerboards, guitars (guitar synthesizer), violins, wind instruments (wind controller), drums and percussions (electronic drum), etc. Synthesizers without built-in controllers are often called sound modules, and are controlled via MIDI or CV/Gate methods. [Synthesizer. Wikipedia]