wavetable synthesis If you're aiming to re-create the sound of an existing instrument or other sound using a sythesizer, the easiest way is to make a digital sample and then modify it to change the pitch. Sample-based synthesis is often called wavetable synthesis because of the way samples are stored and retrieved. If you're buying a sound board or a sound-enabled system, make sure it has this type of synthesizer: it sounds better than the alternative, FM synthesis. See also: FM synthesis