Amulti-wavelength generating apparatus generates a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) signal by modulating light with a single central frequency and an electric signal having a particular pulse repetition frequency. The resulting optical spectrum configuration is conntrollable so that a Relative Intensity Noise (RIN) or Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) requirement may be achieved. A modulated or pulsed light source in used to obtain a descrete spectrum with particular mode spacing, which is then modulated to permit dynamic power control for specific modes of the discrete spectrum.