Grade level: Secondary 4 by Ji Heng

Student readiness level: Mixed Abilities

The simulation is based on: Operating a virtual synthesiser workstation featuring core synthesis components including oscillators with multiple waveform options, envelope filter controls (ADSR), low-frequency oscillator (LFO) modulation, and real-time sound manipulation capabilities to understand electronic music production and sound design principles.

Known synthesis elements include:

Oscillator waveforms (sine, square, sawtooth, triangle)
ADSR envelope controls (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release)
Filter types (low-pass, high-pass, band-pass)
LFO modulation sources and destinations
Frequency and amplitude controls
Filter cutoff and resonance parameters
Modulation depth and rate settings
The objective of the simulation is to: Allow students to explore fundamental synthesis concepts through hands-on experimentation, understand how different waveforms create distinct timbres, master envelope shaping for dynamic sound control, learn LFO modulation techniques for creating movement and texture, and develop practical skills in electronic sound design and music production.

While using the simulation, students should experience: Selecting and switching between different oscillator waveforms, adjusting ADSR envelope parameters to shape sound dynamics, manipulating filter cutoff and resonance to alter tonal characteristics, routing LFO signals to various synthesis parameters, experimenting with modulation depth and rate controls, layering multiple synthesis elements for complex sounds, recording and comparing different parameter combinations, creating evolving textures through real-time parameter automation, and building understanding of how electronic instruments generate and modify sound.

The interface should include: Virtual synthesiser panel with clearly labelled oscillator section featuring waveform selector and frequency controls, dedicated ADSR envelope module with visual envelope display, filter section with cutoff, resonance, and filter type controls, LFO module with rate, depth, and destination routing options, virtual keyboard for triggering sounds, real-time waveform and spectrum analysers, preset saving and loading functionality, parameter automation recording capabilities, help tooltips explaining each control's function, visual feedback showing modulation effects in real-time, and sound library for comparing student creations with professional synthesis examples.