Electronic Music Overview
Telharmonium
The Telharmonium was the first first synthesizer to be created. It was invented by Taddeus Cahill in 1897. The synthesizer generated sounds as electric signals by tone-wheels. Cahill constructed three prototypes; the first weighing at 7 tons (Mark I), and the second weighing over 200 tons (Mark II). Unfortunately, there are no recordings of it being played, but observers described it as "clear and pure".
Ondesmartenot
This model is a very strange sounding synthesizer. It has a set of keys and a metal ring that can be used against a board to create the pitches. There is another board next to the synthesizer that produces percussive sounds as well. The electric sounds of the ring and the piano keys sound really weird, and the pitches can also be wavered and bended.
Synth Clavier
This synthesizer looks like a regular electronic piano. The sound effects are the intriguing aspect of the machine. When a note is played, it produces an electrified version of a clavier and then each pitch echoes in the background after it is played.
Korg Vocoder
This synthesizer has a lot of more technological capabilities. There are multiple sound effects to choose from, some sound like 21st century electronic music, to vintage bass sounds, to regular piano sounds. A person can sing into a microphone and it can synthesize a persons voice. It is also very portable.
Yamaha EX7
Just like the Korg, this synthesizer also has a lot of sounds it can produce. From what I heard in the video, it has sounds for organ, electronic guitar, electric piano, dry bass, etc. Custom sounds can be created.
1) How was Moog's original music and instruments viewed by the media?
Moog's original music and instruments was scorned by the media. In an acoustical society conference he attended to, an interview asked him if he "felt guilty about what he had done". The media viewed his compositions and inventions harmful to others.
2) Before 1968 how much electronic music was being heard?
There wasn't a lot of electronic music being produced and being heard before 1968. Of course, people had heard of experimental sounds and recordings, but it wasn't up until this point people began listening to electronic music.
3) What album changed the view of electronic music?
Switched on Bach.
4) Moog's original synth models were built in what year?
1964.
5) Vladimir Ussachevsky defined specific controls that shape the sound. What was the control called?
The controls are called 'envelopes'.
6) How does Moog view the relationship between the circuit board and the human mind?
Moog mentioned that musicians "make contact" with the circuit board. He says it isn't physical contact, but a psychological contact.
Leonard Theremin's Life in America
When Theremin arrived in America he performed at Carnegie Hall to showcase the theremin. His instrument attracted the interest of the RCA which offered him $100,000 to manufacture it. He was recognized as one of the great scientists and his invention was praised as high as the radio was. In September 1929, the Theremin went on sale for a hefty $220. Unfortunately, the Wall Street Crash occurred one month after the Theremin was being sold to the public. The RCA halted the production. In 1938, he married a young black American ballet dancer, Lavinia Williams. After one year of being together, he left his wife and America to return back to the Soviet Union.
Leonard Theremin's Inventions
Theremin - Musical device that didn't require touching to produce sound.
Burglar Alarm - "Signaling Apparatus" which used the Theremin effect.
Electromechanical Television - Nipkow disk with mirrors instead of slots.
Terpsitone - Platform that converts dancing movements into tones.
Theremin Cello - An electronic cello with out any strings or a bow that uses a plastic fingerboard, a handle for volume, and two knobs for sound shaping
Keyboard Theremin - A piano that produced "hornlike tones"
Rhythmicon - World's first drum machine.
The Great Seal Bug ("The Thing") - one of the first passive covert listening device. Used by USSR for spying.
Leonard Theremin's Life in Moscow
Around 90 years ago, Theremin was summoned to the Kremlin by Lenin to showcase his new invention, an electronic instrument that was played without being touched. His demonstration of the instrument to Lenin was quite a success, he played pieces such as Saint Saen's The Swan. Lenin successfully played a piece using the Theremin and was very impressed by this invention. In fact , Lenin was so impressed with this device he had Theremin tour all over Russia to show off the awesomeness of it. After touring America and Europe, (he returned in 1939) he returned to the Soviet Union and was arrested for false accusations for being a counter - revolutionary. He was sentenced to a Gulag in Siberia for eight years. In the documentary, one of the commentators mentions that people knew very little of what happened to Theremin in Russia. The commentator said he was "dangerous territory" to discuss about, and had no idea whether he was alive or dead. Clara Rockmore states that her and husband went to Russia for vacation. Her husband was very curious on meeting Theremin, and asked a scientist about him. The scientist said that "I had just had lunch with him today" and funny enough, thats how Clara found Theremin after seven years. However, they had to meet him in secrecy due to the surveillance, and they found out that he was in prison for seven years.
The Outcome of Theremin's Rescue
In 1947, Theremin married Marina Guschina, and had two children: Natalia & Lena. After Theremin had been released from the sharashka, he volunteered to remain working with the KGB until 1966. After his service in the KGB, he worked at the Moscow Conservatory of Music where he taught and built theremins & electronic cellos. After staying in the Soviet Union for 51 years, Theremin decided to tour France in 1989 and then the United States in 1991.
Electronic Music Research
Evolution of Electronic Instruments Outline
1919 - Theremin is invented. The sound is produced by a sine wave. It has two proximity sensors. The first proximity sensor changes the volume, while the second changes pitch.
1928 - Maurice Martenot invented the Ondes Martenot. This device uses a sine wave as well (has a very similar sound to the Theremin). It has a vacuum tube to create an electric amplifier. It is monophonic, and a performer can use the piano keys or the touchpad to produce the sound.
1938 - Hammond Organ is invented. The organ has 96 tone wheels and an electromagnetic pickup. It uses sine waves to produce its sound. A more complex sound can be achieved since the sound waves can be combined. The multiple tone wheels enable the organ to produce polyphonic textures.
1939 - Novachord is invented. This synthesizer has a customization of attack, delay, sustain, and release. A filter affects partials of audio signal.
1948 - Chamberlin 200 is invented. There are multiple tapes with sound samples inside of the synthesizer. Piano, strings, drums, and loops can be sound triggered by the keyboard.
1970 - Minimoog is invented. Analog circuits in the device produce sound. There are 4 different wave forms to choose from: sine, square, triangle, and sawtooth. Multiple wave forms can be played on top of each other. However, the analog circuits limited its texture, it can only be played monophonically.
1971 - EMS Sequencer is invented. Melodies can be saved on the device. An external synthesizer can be connected to the EMS Sequencer to play a back melody.
1977 - Yamaha CS-80 is invented. It has an analog synth built into it which allows for eight tone polyphony. Sound presets can be saved and loaded onto it.
1979 - Fairlight CMI is invented. It is the first digital sampler that has a microprocessor. Sounds can be recorded, saved to disk, and samples can be played via keyboard.
1983 - Midi is invented. Midi has become the standard for electronic music signals on computers. Melody lines can be programed and replayed on computers.
1984/Present - Midis, computers, and virtual synths are introduced to public. There are a variety of programs available, further advancing electronic music. Sampler, sequencer, and synth emulation is all combined into one.
Electronic Genres Outline
House: Electro House, Tech House, Acid House, Jackin' House, Disco House, Funky/French House, Garage, Big Room House, Nu Disco, Eurodance.
Techno (No sub categories)
Trance: Classic Trance, Epic Trance, Progressive Trance, GOA/PSY Dance, Nightcore.
Downtempo: Ambient, Chillout, Chillhop, Chillstep, Trip Hop.
Breakbeat: Big Beat, Funky Breaks, Rave Breaks, Jungle, Drum & Bass.
Bass: Liquid DnB, Nuerofunk, Dub, Dubstep, Moombathon, Tribal, Trival, Brostep, Drumstep, Trap, Bounce, Glitch.
Hardcore: Industrial, New Beat, EBM, Futurepop, Hard Dance, Gabber.
Other: Early Electronic, Electropop, New Wave, Idm, Chip Tune, Electro Swing, Complextro.
Computer
The introduction of the personal computer in the 80s was a major breakthrough for music technology. Instead of having to purchase a synthesizer, one could install a virtual synth program onto their computer and use it to compose electronic music. There are a plethora of music programs that can be purchased to edit, compose, etc. (For instance, FL Studio is a very popular windows program for creating electronic music). Midi files can also be played on computers. The computer has everything one could want. It has become one of the most valuable assets in contemporary electronic music. For an example, djs use computers and other equipment to edit songs so they transition smoothly from one to another. Film scoring can be composed on programs (much more efficient than having to write it out on paper).
Mixing Console
The mixing console is a major innovation for electronic music. It is an electronic device that can be used to combine sounds e.g vocals, piano, routing, changing the volume level, dynamics, or tone level of many different audio signals. By 2010, a mixer was able to control analog signals. Mixers are used in a plethora of applications, ranging from sound reinforcement systems, recording studios, broadcasting, nightclubs, dance clubs, post-film production, and television. Mixers also have many more capabilities aside from mixing signals. They can provide phantom power for microphones; provide filtering and equalization (enables sound engineers to boost or cut selected frequencies in sound); pan control (changes a sounds apparent position in the stereo sound-field); and electronic effects, such as reverb.