Synthesizer#Arpeggiator

Arpeggio a function in the electronic music is called, which generates a short contiguous sequence of tones. The term is a portmanteau, on the Italian arpeggio and turn arpa based, Italian for harp: The characteristic harp playing, which often served as an accompaniment to singing or leading instruments, a sequence of strings is usually struck.

Arpeggiators came up in the 1970s, including in home organs, where they were among the auto accompaniment features: the root of the ongoing arpeggios was selected by pressing the corresponding button in the lower manual. In particular, the analog Yamaha Electone models with large amounts Arpeggiofunktionen with four, six or even eight variations.

A (hardware or software ) sequencer or synthesizer has today often arpeggiator functions. The recording is usually done by entering a chord, ie, simultaneously activating keyboard keys. A stored arpeggio can then be initiated as a single note, with tempo, playback direction ( up / down) and possibly transposition ( shift of frequency ) are adjustable.