Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

wavetable
     
         A type of {sound generator} often built in a
        {sound card}.  A wavetable contains digitised samples of real
        instrument sounds or effect (FX) sounds.  A wavetable chip
        often also contains a drum kit sound to faciliate rhythm
        accompaniment.
     
        A recorded wavetable sound may be edited and enhanced by
        various effects (reverb, chorus) and layered with other
        waveforms before writing it to {ROM} or {RAM}.  The latter
        type serves as user sound memory.
     
        A wavetable generator is typically controlled by {MIDI} input.
        When a MIDI note-on signal is detected, the output part of a
        wavetable generator generates a sound with definitive pitch,
        typically a musical note.
     
        Wavetable sounds are used in games and music.  The more
        realistic wavetable sounds have all but replaced the earlier
        synthetic FM (frequency modulation) sound generation in sound
        cards but to ensure compatibility with older games etc., an FM
        part is usually included.
     
        The best known wavetable sound generators includes the {E-mu
        8000} chip, used in {Creative Labs}' {Sound Blaster} AWE-32
        card family and in E-mu keyboards.  Other wavetable cards are
        Gravis Ultra-Sound (GUS), ESS Cards, Opti, Zoltrix and many
        Roland cards.
     
        {E-Mu (http://www.emu.com /)}.
        {AWE-32(http://www.edu.isy.liu.se/~d93jesno/awe32.html)}.
        {Creative Labs (http://www.creaf.com/)}.
     
        (1997-11-04)