Each timbre intent adjective maps to a specific direction on the synthesis parameters, and combined tags stack additively

The closed timbre intent vocabulary (bright, dark, warm, harsh, hollow, metallic, soft, gritty, clean, distorted, airy, punchy, muddy, crisp) is not vague: each adjective maps to a specific direction on the synthesis parameters. Bright raises filter cutoff and uses a saw/square source; dark lowers cutoff and uses sine/triangle; warm adds mild saturation and slight LPF; harsh uses high resonance and distortion; metallic uses FM with non-integer ratios. The key operating principle is that these mappings are additive: combining multiple tags stacks their parameter directions, so a composite intent like ‘dark, warm, muddy’ compiles to LPF down plus saturation plus low-mid weight. This is what lets a text intent be compiled into concrete parameter moves.

Examples

Dub-techno bass: [dark, warm, muddy] = LPF down + saturation + low-mid weight. Peak-time techno lead: [bright, punchy, crisp] = open filter + fast transients + high-shelf.

Assessment

Given the timbre descriptor ‘warm but punchy’, list the specific parameter directions to realize it and explain why they are compatible or in tension.