Subtractive synthesis

A form of audio synthesis where the timbre of a tone or signal (generated by an audio synthesizer) is changed by subtracting waveforms (such as, but not necessarily harmonics) from the seed waveform, resulting in a less complex signal and a different-sounding tone. Subtractive synthesis usually begins with a sample as its seed wave form and subtracts the overtones through filters. Subtractive synthesis is typically associated with digital synthesis.