| Revision as of 09:08, 30 October 2001 edit213.253.39.xxx (talk)No edit summary | Revision as of 12:46, 1 December 2001 edit undoThe Anome (talk | contribs)Edit filter managers, Administrators253,714 edits Mentioned Theremin, Ondes Martenot, wikificationNext edit → | ||
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| The earliest electronic musical instrument was the ], invented by ] | |||
| ⚫ | In the 1950s, RCA produced experimental devices to synthesize both voice and music. The Mark II Music Synthesizer (1958) was capable of producing music once it had been completely programmed; that is, the system had to be completely re-set for each new piece. | ||
| in 1917, which used a vaccum tube oscillator to make sounds that depended on the interactions of the user with an RF field. This was followed in 1928 by the ] which had a keyboard as well as several auxiliary controllers. | |||
| The sound of the Ondes-Martenot is used extensively in the ] by ]. | |||
| ⚫ | In the mid-1960s, synthesizers were developed which could be played in real time but were confined to studios because of their size. A variety of signal processors were connected to a common controller. | ||
| ⚫ | In the ], ] produced experimental devices to synthesize both voice and music. The Mark II Music Synthesizer (1958) was capable of producing music once it had been completely programmed; that is, the system had to be completely re-set for each new piece. | ||
| ⚫ | In the mid-], synthesizers were developed which could be played in real time but were confined to studios because of their size. A variety of signal processors were connected to a common controller. | ||
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| The first playable music synthesizer was created by ]. It took hours to set up the machine for a new sound. Among the first music performed on this synthesizer are the record "The well-tempered synthesizer" and "Switched-on Bach" by ] (Wendy Carlos since a sex change operation). | The first playable modern configurable music synthesizer was created by ]. It took hours to set up the machine for a new sound. Among the first music performed on this synthesizer are the record "The well-tempered synthesizer" and "Switched-on Bach" by ] (] since a sex change operation). | ||
Revision as of 12:46, 1 December 2001
A device that creates sounds by direct manipulation of electrical currents which are then used to cause vibrations in the diaphragms of loudspeakers, headphones, etc. This synthesized sound is contrasted with recording of natural sound, where the mechanical energy of a sound wave is transformed into a signal which will then be converted back to mechanical energy on playback (though sampling significantly blurs this distinction).
The earliest electronic musical instrument was the Theremin, invented by Leon Theremin
in 1917, which used a vaccum tube oscillator to make sounds that depended on the interactions of the user with an RF field. This was followed in 1928 by the Ondes-Martenot which had a keyboard as well as several auxiliary controllers.
The sound of the Ondes-Martenot is used extensively in the Turangalila Symphony by Olivier Messiaen.
In the 1950s, RCA produced experimental devices to synthesize both voice and music. The Mark II Music Synthesizer (1958) was capable of producing music once it had been completely programmed; that is, the system had to be completely re-set for each new piece.
In the mid-1960s, synthesizers were developed which could be played in real time but were confined to studios because of their size. A variety of signal processors were connected to a common controller.
Miniaturization of the components made it possible, in the 1970s, for synthesizers to become self-contained and movable. They began to be used in live performances.
There two major kinds of synthesizers, analog and digital.
There are also many different kinds of synthesizer methods, both applicable to both analog and digital synthesizers, but commonly most easily achieved with the digital dito:
- Granular synthesis
- Frequency modulation
- Physical modelling
The first playable modern configurable music synthesizer was created by Robert Moog. It took hours to set up the machine for a new sound. Among the first music performed on this synthesizer are the record "The well-tempered synthesizer" and "Switched-on Bach" by Walter Carlos (Wendy Carlos since a sex change operation).
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