Synthesis and sound design · updated 2026-08-16

POLYPHONY / PARAPHONY / MONOPHONY

How many notes a synth can play at once, and whether each note gets its own full voice path or shares a filter.

Synthesis and sound design — Close-up of a Eurorack modular synthesizer: oscillator, filter and envelope modules wired together with patch cables, showing the signal path these synthesis terms describe.

Key takeaways

How many notes a synth can play at once, and whether each note gets its own full voice path or shares a filter.
Paraphony is cheaper to build but chords behave differently — a new note can retrigger the whole envelope.
A monosynth with glide is the standard choice for basslines because it forces one clear line rather than overlapping notes.
Watch out: buying a paraphonic synth expecting full polyphonic behaviour on sustained chords.
Sits under synthesis and sound design in this glossary, with 2 primary sources below.

Quick checklist

Can you define polyphony / paraphony / monophony in one sentence without looking?
Can you point at polyphony / paraphony / monophony in a real session, mix or contract?
Have you tried the practical move above at least once?
Would you catch the common mistake before it costs you a take?
Have you opened one of the primary sources below rather than a forum thread?

POLYPHONY / PARAPHONY / MONOPHONY IN DEPTH

Monophonic synths play one note at a time, polyphonic synths give each note its own full voice, and paraphonic synths let multiple notes share one filter and amplifier. Paraphony is cheaper to build but chords behave differently — a new note can retrigger the whole envelope.

How it works in practice

A monosynth with glide is the standard choice for basslines because it forces one clear line rather than overlapping notes.

The mistake people make

Buying a paraphonic synth expecting full polyphonic behaviour on sustained chords.

WHERE POLYPHONY / PARAPHONY / MONOPHONY SITS

Polyphony / paraphony / monophony belongs to synthesis and sound design in the Sampled music glossary. How synths make sound, in the order the signal actually travels.

TEST YOURSELF

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3 quick questions on polyphony / paraphony / monophony. Answers are marked instantly — nothing is sent anywhere.

1. Which statement best describes polyphony / paraphony / monophony?
2. What is the mistake people most often make with polyphony / paraphony / monophony?
3. In practice, which of these applies to polyphony / paraphony / monophony?

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SOURCES AND CITATIONS

Free, primary references for polyphony / paraphony / monophony — standards bodies, manufacturers, government offices and university course material. Each one lists the line of this entry it backs up.

Sequential support and manuals (opens in a new tab)
Primary reference · sequential.com
“How many notes a synth can play at once, and whether each note gets its own full voice path or shares a filter.”— the claim this source supports
Why it counts: Published by the organisation responsible for the thing being defined, so it is a first-hand source rather than a summary of one.
Korg manuals (opens in a new tab)
Primary reference · korg.com
“Monophonic synths play one note at a time, polyphonic synths give each note its own full voice, and paraphonic synths let multiple notes share one filter and amplifier.”— the claim this source supports
Why it counts: Published by the organisation responsible for the thing being defined, so it is a first-hand source rather than a summary of one.

RELATED TERMS IN SYNTHESIS AND SOUND DESIGN

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