🎵Music of the Modern Era Unit 4 – Electronic Music: Synthesizers & Beyond

Foundations of Electronic Music

• Emerged in the early 20th century with the invention of electronic musical instruments like the Telharmonium and Theremin
• Pioneers like Léon Theremin, Maurice Martenot, and Friedrich Trautwein laid the groundwork for future electronic music innovations
• Early electronic compositions explored new tonal possibilities and challenged traditional musical conventions (Olivier Messiaen's "Oraison")
• Musique concrète, developed by Pierre Schaeffer in the 1940s, involved manipulating recorded sounds to create musical compositions
  • Utilized techniques like splicing, looping, and reversing tape recordings
  • Influenced later electronic music genres and sampling techniques
• Elektronische Musik, pioneered by Karlheinz Stockhausen and others at the WDR studio in Cologne, focused on creating sounds entirely from electronic sources
• The advent of voltage-controlled synthesizers in the 1960s revolutionized electronic music production and performance (Moog synthesizer)
• Early electronic music studios, such as the Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Center and the San Francisco Tape Music Center, fostered experimentation and collaboration among composers and engineers

Evolution of Synthesizer Technology

• Early synthesizers, like the Moog and Buchla modular systems, were large, expensive, and complex to operate
  • Required patch cables to connect various modules and create sounds
  • Limited polyphony and storage capabilities
• Portable, monophonic synthesizers such as the Minimoog and ARP Odyssey made synthesizers more accessible to musicians in the 1970s
• Polyphonic synthesizers, including the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 and Yamaha CS-80, allowed for playing multiple notes simultaneously
• Digital synthesizers, such as the Yamaha DX7 and Korg M1, introduced new methods of sound synthesis and increased affordability in the 1980s
  • FM synthesis and digital sampling became popular
  • Preset sounds and MIDI compatibility made these instruments more user-friendly
• Software synthesizers and virtual studio technology (VST) plugins emerged in the 1990s, enabling musicians to create and manipulate sounds using computers
• Modern synthesizers often combine analog and digital components, offering a wide range of sound design possibilities and intuitive interfaces (Arturia MicroFreak, Moog Grandmother)
• Modular synthesizers have experienced a resurgence in popularity, with both Eurorack and standalone systems available from various manufacturers

Key Components of Synthesizers

• Oscillators generate the basic waveforms that serve as the foundation for synthesized sounds
  • Common waveforms include sine, square, sawtooth, and triangle waves
  • Multiple oscillators can be combined to create more complex timbres
• Filters shape the frequency content of the oscillator waveforms, allowing for the creation of various tonal characteristics
  • Low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass filters are common types
  • Resonance (or Q) controls the emphasis of frequencies around the cutoff point
• Envelopes control the time-varying aspects of a sound, such as its attack, decay, sustain, and release (ADSR)
  • Modulating pitch, filter cutoff, or amplitude with envelopes creates dynamic, expressive sounds
• LFOs (low-frequency oscillators) generate periodic modulation signals to create effects like vibrato, tremolo, and filter sweeps
• Voltage-controlled amplifiers (VCAs) control the volume of the sound over time, often in conjunction with an envelope generator
• Modulation sources, such as envelope generators and LFOs, can be routed to various parameters to create movement and interest in the sound
• Patch memory allows for the storage and recall of synthesizer settings, enabling musicians to create and save custom sounds

Sound Synthesis Techniques

• Subtractive synthesis involves filtering harmonically rich waveforms to attenuate certain frequencies and shape the sound
  • Commonly used in analog synthesizers and many software synthesizers
  • Allows for the creation of classic synth sounds like basses, leads, and pads
• Additive synthesis creates complex timbres by combining multiple sine waves of different frequencies and amplitudes
  • Each sine wave is called a partial, and the relative amplitudes of the partials determine the overall timbre
  • Can create highly detailed and evolving sounds, but requires more processing power than subtractive synthesis
• FM (frequency modulation) synthesis generates complex timbres by modulating the frequency of one oscillator (the carrier) with another oscillator (the modulator)
  • Pioneered by John Chowning and popularized by the Yamaha DX7 synthesizer
  • Capable of creating percussive, metallic, and bell-like sounds
• Wavetable synthesis uses a series of short, sampled waveforms (wavetables) to generate sounds
  • Oscillators scan through the wavetables to create evolving timbres
  • Often combined with other synthesis techniques for greater sound design possibilities
• Granular synthesis creates sounds by manipulating short snippets of audio called grains
  • Grains can be looped, pitched, and layered to create complex, evolving textures
  • Allows for unique time-stretching and morphing effects
• Physical modeling synthesis simulates the physical characteristics and behavior of real-world instruments using mathematical algorithms
  • Can convincingly emulate acoustic instruments like strings, winds, and percussion
  • Requires significant processing power but offers highly expressive and dynamic results

Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs)

• Software applications that serve as virtual studios for recording, editing, and producing music
• Popular DAWs include Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, and Avid Pro Tools
  • Each DAW has its own unique features, workflow, and user interface
  • Choice of DAW often depends on personal preference, budget, and specific project requirements
• Provide a wide range of built-in virtual instruments, effects, and signal processing tools
• Support various audio file formats and offer non-destructive editing capabilities
• Allow for the integration of third-party plugins, such as VST and AU formats, to expand sound design and processing options
• Offer MIDI sequencing and editing features for programming and manipulating virtual instrument performances
• Include mixing and automation tools for balancing levels, panning, and applying real-time parameter changes
• Provide audio routing and bussing options for complex signal flows and parallel processing
• Often include built-in scoring and notation tools for creating sheet music and exporting MIDI data

Electronic Music Genres and Pioneers

• Krautrock: Experimental rock genre that emerged in Germany in the late 1960s, incorporating electronic instruments and avant-garde techniques
  • Notable artists: Kraftwerk, Can, Tangerine Dream, Neu!
• Disco: Dance music genre that rose to prominence in the 1970s, featuring four-on-the-floor beats and lush orchestration, often including synthesizers
  • Notable artists: Giorgio Moroder, Donna Summer, Chic
• Synthpop: Pop music genre that emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, characterized by the use of synthesizers as the primary instrument
  • Notable artists: Depeche Mode, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, The Human League
• House: Electronic dance music genre that originated in Chicago in the early 1980s, featuring four-on-the-floor beats, drum machines, and samplers
  • Notable artists: Frankie Knuckles, Marshall Jefferson, Larry Heard
• Techno: Electronic dance music genre that emerged in Detroit in the mid-1980s, characterized by repetitive beats, futuristic sounds, and machine aesthetics
  • Notable artists: Juan Atkins, Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson
• Ambient: Genre that emphasizes atmosphere and texture over traditional musical structure, often featuring slow tempos and minimal rhythms
  • Notable artists: Brian Eno, Aphex Twin, The Orb
• IDM (Intelligent Dance Music): Experimental electronic music genre that combines complex rhythms, unconventional song structures, and diverse influences
  • Notable artists: Autechre, Squarepusher, Boards of Canada

Modern Applications and Future Trends

• Electronic music production has become increasingly accessible, with powerful software tools and affordable hardware options available to a wide range of users
• Collaboration between electronic musicians and artists from other genres has led to innovative cross-pollination and hybrid styles
• Live electronic music performances have evolved to incorporate immersive visuals, interactive elements, and advanced technical setups
  • Artists like Daft Punk, Deadmau5, and The Chemical Brothers have pushed the boundaries of live electronic shows
• Modular synthesizers have experienced a resurgence in popularity, with many musicians embracing the flexibility and hands-on approach of modular systems
• Generative music and AI-assisted composition tools have gained traction, enabling the creation of dynamic, ever-evolving soundscapes
• Virtual and augmented reality technologies have opened up new possibilities for immersive electronic music experiences and performances
• The integration of electronic music elements into film, television, and video game soundtracks has become increasingly common
• Online platforms and streaming services have made it easier for electronic musicians to distribute their work and connect with audiences globally

Notable Electronic Music Compositions

• "Poème électronique" (1958) by Edgard Varèse: One of the earliest examples of a fully electronic composition, created for the Philips Pavilion at the 1958 Brussels World's Fair
• "Switched-On Bach" (1968) by Wendy Carlos: Groundbreaking album featuring Bach compositions performed entirely on Moog synthesizers
• "Autobahn" (1974) by Kraftwerk: Iconic Krautrock track that showcased the potential of synthesizers in pop music and influenced countless electronic artists
• "I Feel Love" (1977) by Donna Summer, produced by Giorgio Moroder: Pioneering disco track that featured a fully synthesized backing track and paved the way for electronic dance music
• "Oxygène" (1976) by Jean-Michel Jarre: Influential ambient electronic album that popularized the use of synthesizers in mainstream music
• "Planet Rock" (1982) by Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force: Seminal electro-funk track that sampled Kraftwerk and inspired the development of hip-hop and electronic dance music
• "Acid Tracks" (1987) by Phuture: Pioneering acid house track that introduced the Roland TB-303 bass synthesizer and defined the genre
• "Selected Ambient Works 85-92" (1992) by Aphex Twin: Groundbreaking ambient techno album that showcased the potential of electronic music for creating immersive, atmospheric soundscapes