How does subtractive synthesis shape a sound with filter circuits?

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Moog synthesizer — electronic instrument Moog electronic sound synthesizer

Subtractive synthesis is a method of sound design used in music synthesizers that shapes audio by removing unwanted components from a complex signal.

In this process, the synthesizer begins with a signal—typically a sawtooth wave—that contains a fundamental tone along with a full spectrum of related overtones. Filter circuits are then employed to selectively attenuate or eliminate specific frequencies from this rich harmonic source. By "subtracting" these frequencies, the musician or composer can alter the timbre of the sound, effectively sculpting the final output to achieve desired tonal characteristics.1