 
ENSONIQ Wavetable vs. FM Sound cards 
 
 
There is a big difference between our Wavetable card and a typical FM card.  It has to do  
with the method in which instruments are reproduced.  FM synthesis is an old technology  
that attempts to emulate or reproduce a sound by modulating artificially created wave forms.    
For example, if the card needs to play back a violin, an FM card will try to produce the  
shape of the wave that a violin would produce.  It is a very inaccurate reproduction which  
sounds like a cheap toy. 
 
When Soundscape plays back a sound, it is playing back a sample or a real recording of  
that instrument.  This technology is called Wavetable technology.  All of the instruments  
that Soundscape plays are samples of the real thing.  This includes all of the drum sounds,  
all of the GM sounds, and the MT-32 sounds.  In all, there are 317 different samples stored  
in Soundscape's memory. 
 
A good comparison of FM vs. Wavetable would be to compare it to a piece of artwork.  An  
artist painting a picture would be an FM card.  A photograph with a camera would be Soundscape. 
The photo is a much better reproduction of the image.  In fact, it is a perfect image.  The  
painting is usually good, but far from perfect. 
 
Would you rather hear an emulation of violin, or would you rather hear a real violin?   
Soundscape will play the real violin. 
 
To hear a demo on the difference between the two cards, call 1-800-942-0096 and follow  
the instructions in the menu. 
 
 
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