Category Archives: Early Electronic Music

Suicide Manual

Posted on 04/16/2013 by chris

In NYC in the mid-seventies, an electronic-based band arose amongst all the guitar punks, a band that was known as much for their confrontational post-beatnik vocals as for the strange and intense sounds that emanated from their famously homemade electronic … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Electronic Music, Publications, Technical | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

1970: When Wendy Was Walter

Posted on 02/05/2013 by chris

Shortly before successful composer Walter Carlos enacted a major life-change, he appeared in this advert for Dolby noise-reduction hardware.

Posted in Early Electronic Music | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Max Neuhaus, Electronic Music Pioneer

Posted on 09/08/2012 by chris

Above: Neuhaus at work on an aquatic sound installation Download a three-page article by Joan LaBarbara on the 1970′s work of sound-installation artist Max Neuhaus, originally published in High Fidelity, 10.77: DOWNLOAD: MaxNeuhaus_HighFidelity_Oct1977 Apologies for the less-than-stellar scan quality.  Neuhaus … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Electronic Music | Leave a comment

Great Ladies of Electronic Music: Rosalyn Tureck

Posted on 09/04/2012 by chris

Bach Expert Rosalyn Tureck at-work at the Moog Modular circa 1977.  Tureck was a student of Leon Theremin and made her Carnegie Hall debut playing the primitive electronic instrument of his name.  (Image: High Fidelity Magazine, 10.77)

Posted in Early Electronic Music | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Raymond Scott, Electronic Music Pioneer

Posted on 06/29/2012 by chris

Raymond Scott in his home studio, 1955 “The composer must bear in mind that the radio listener does not hear music directly. He hears it only after the sound has passed through a microphone, amplifiers, transmission lines, radio transmitter, receiving … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Electronic Music | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

(Very) Early Electronic Instruments

Posted on 03/01/2012 by chris

When you think of ‘early electronic instruments,’ what period comes to mind?  European tape music of the 1950s?  Academic electronic music labs of the 1960s?  How about 1931? Download a five-page article from Radio News 1931, on ‘The Electrical Future … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Electronic Music | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Magnecord PT6 c.1950 used in contemporary music production

Posted on 11/26/2011 by chris

It never ceases to amaze me how many people navigate to this website as a result of searching for Magnecord tape-machine information.  Until I bought a pair of PT6 machines last year, I had no awareness of them; since then, … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Electronic Music, Magnecord, Recordings | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Vladamir Ussachevsky, electronic music pioneer and educator

Posted on 10/23/2011 by chris

“Does this qualify me for a prophet? Well, perhaps partially.” Imagine if this dude had been your college music professor.  Read a 4-page essay by Mongolian-born composer Vladamir Ussachevsky as printed in the 1/17/74 issue of DOWNBEAT magazine.  Ussachevsky was … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Electronic Music | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Music Synthesizers in Popular Electronics 1972

Posted on 01/20/2011 by chris

Download a five-page article by David L. Heiserman on “Music Synthesizers And How They Work” from Popular Electronics magazine, February 1972.  Also included is a brief description and schematic for a ‘surf synthesizer’ project. DOWNLOAD: SynthsPopElecFeb1972 Nice images of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Electronic Music | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Out-Of-Print-Book Report: History Of Music Machines (Smithsonian)

Posted on 01/10/2011 by chris

Came across this obscure volume in a rubbish bin several years ago.  Published by Drake Publishers in 1975 and billed as being ‘Prepared By The Smithsonian’ (No author attributed), “(The)History Of Music Machines” (hf. ‘HOMM’) is a b&w hardcover gift/coffee-table … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Electronic Music, History, Publications | Tagged , , | 1 Comment