Techno-Synthesis: From Vocoder Speech to Electronic Music
This paper examines the history of electronic music and the vocoder, and how they have influenced each other.
Introduction
Techno-Synthesis: From Vocoder Speech to Electronic Music is a book by Thomas Dolby. It was published in 1982 by Scribner’s Sons.
The book explores the use of technology in music, specifically the use of the vocoder and other signal processing techniques. It includes a history of electronic music, as well as interviews with some of the most influential electronic musicians of the time.
The Vocoder and Electronic Music
The vocoder is an electronic device that is used to synthesize the human voice. It was first invented in the 1930s and has been used in a variety of ways, including in electronic music. The vocoder has helped to create a number of iconic sounds, such as the robotic voice in the original Star Wars movies.
The Vocoder and the Birth of Electronic Music
The vocoder is a voice coding device that was invented in the 1930s. It was originally used for speech synthesis, but it was soon adapted for use in music. The vocoder became an important tool in the development of electronic music, and it has been used by many famous musicians over the years.
The vocoder is a device that breaks down the human voice into its constituent parts, or harmonics. These harmonics are then filtered and rearranged to create new sounds. The vocoder can create a wide range of sounds, from robotic or metallic voices to futuristic sound effects.
The firstvocoders were developed in the 1930s by Bell Laboratories. They were originally intended for use in speech synthesis, but they were soon adapted for use in music. In the 1940s and 1950s, the vocoder was used extensively in experimental music, and it became an important tool in the development of electronic music.
Vocoders were used by many famous musicians over the years, including Kraftwerk, Giorgio Moroder, Afrika Bambaataa, and Wu-Tang Clan.
The Vocoder and the Development of Electronic Music
The vocoder is a voice codec that was developed in the 1930s for transmitting speech. It has since been used for a variety of purposes, including as an effect in electronic music.
The vocoder analyzes the human voice and separates it into two signals: one that represents the frequency of the sound, and one that represents the amplitude. These signals are then transmitted and converted back into sound by a receiver. The vocoder was originally designed for telephone communication, but it found new life in the world of electronic music in the 1950s and 1960s.
Musicians began using the vocoder as an effects processor, manipulating the sound of their instruments to create new and interesting sonic textures. The vocoder became a staple of electronic music, especially in genres like disco, hip hop, and techno. Today, the vocoder is still used by electronic musicians to create unique sounds and effects.
The Techno-Synthesis of Music
Techno-synthesis is the process of creating new music by combining two or more existing pieces of music. This can be done by using a computer to combine the sounds of different instruments, or by using a vocoder to create a new piece of music from the sounds of speech.
The Techno-Synthesis of Music: An Overview
Techno-synthesis is the use of technology to create or enhance musical sounds. This can be done by manipulating recorded sounds, or by using electronic devices to create new sounds. Techno-synthesis is used in a variety of genres, including electronica, hip hop, and pop.
One of the earliest examples of techno-synthesis is the use of the vocoder, which was developed in the 1930s. The vocoder is an electronic device that alters the pitch and timbre of a human voice, making it sound like a robot or an alien. This effect was used extensively in sci-fi movies and TV shows of the 1950s and 1960s, and it became synonymous with the idea of futuristic music.
In the 1970s, musicians began experimenting with ways to create new electronic sounds without using traditional instruments. This led to the development of various synthesizers and other electronic devices that could be used to create music. These devices became increasingly popular in the 1980s, as they were used in a variety of genres, from new wave to hip hop.
The use of techno-synthesis has continued to evolve in recent years, as new technologies have been developed. Today, there are many different ways to create electronic music, and the possibilities are virtually endless.
The Techno-Synthesis of Music: The Vocoder
The vocoder is a speech synthesizer that was invented in the 1930s. It is often used to create robotic or machine-like sounds, and was used extensively in the early days of electronic music. The vocoder analyses the spectral characteristics of an incoming signal, and uses these to generate a corresponding output signal. The output signal can be controlled by a second input signal, which can be used to modulate the sound of the vocoder.
The vocoder has been used extensively in electronic music, particularly in the genre of techno. It was famously used by Kraftwerk on their album Autobahn, and has been used by many other artists since then. The vocoder can be used to create a wide variety of sounds, from simple speech synthesis to complex and atmospheric textures.
The Techno-Synthesis of Music: The Sampler
In the early days of electronic music, the only way to create new sounds was to manipulate existing sounds. This was done using a variety of techniques, including filters, envelope followers, and ring modulators. With the advent of the sampler, it became possible to create completely new sounds by recording and then playing back any sound that could be digitized.
The first commercially available sampler was the Fairlight CMI, released in 1979. This instrument allowed the user to record any sound and then play it back at any pitch. The CMI was used extensively by artists such as Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush.
The Akai MPC60, released in 1988, was the first sampler that allowed the user to sequence samples. This made it possible to create entire songs using only samples. The MPC60 was used extensively by hip hop artists such as Public Enemy and A Tribe Called Quest.
Today, there are a wide variety of samplers available, ranging from standalone hardware units to software plugins. Samplers are an essential part of many genres of electronic music, including techno, house, and drum and bass.
Conclusion
In conclusion, electronic music has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the early 20th century. Today, it is a respected and popular genre that continues to evolve and evolve. Thanks to the invention of the vocoder, electronic music has been taken to new heights, with artists like Daft Punk using it to create innovative and exciting sounds.
