Electronic musical instrument
An electronic musical instrument is a device used to create, compose, and process music, particularly in genres like electronic music, which heavily relies on computer-generated sounds. The synthesizer is the most prominent example, but other electronic instruments include MIDI keyboards, theremins, and electronically enhanced versions of traditional instruments such as guitars and violins. The integration of electronic elements into music began in the late 1970s, although it gained broader popularity in the 1980s, giving rise to genres like electronic dance music (EDM) and dubstep.
Among the earliest electronic instruments is the theremin, invented in 1919, which is played without physical contact through the manipulation of antennas that control pitch and volume. Analog synthesizers followed, with advances leading to digital synthesizers that can produce multiple notes simultaneously, allowing for more complex compositions. Today, electronic instruments are not limited to hardware; many are now software-based, enabling musicians to use computers to replicate a vast array of sounds and effects.
These instruments contribute significantly to modern genres, providing unique sounds that can be both soothing and energizing, often designed for large dance parties. Their versatility and adaptability continue to shape contemporary music, appealing to diverse audiences around the world.
Electronic musical instrument
An electronic musical instrument is used to compose and process several genres of music, including electronic music, which is created with computer-generated sounds. The synthesizer is the most commonly utilized electronic instrument. Other examples include electronically enhanced guitars, drum kits, cellos, violins, and mandolins, MIDI keyboards, theremins, and sound samplers. Several popular music genres, such as electronic dance music (EDM) and dubstep, are made with computer-generated sounds. Electronic elements entered music in the late 1970s, but the music style did not become popular until nearly a decade later. Electronic musical artists include Daft Punk, Moby, Age of Love, and Skrillex.
Background
The theremin was one of the earliest electronic musical instruments. Russian physicist and inventor Léon Theremin devised the instrument in 1919. A theremin is composed of a box that houses all of the instrument's electronic and mechanical components. Two antennas protrude from the box. One antenna controls the volume, while the other controls the instrument's pitch. Unlike other musical instruments, no physical contact is required to play the theremin. Instead, musicians wave their hands in precise places above and around the antennas. The instrument is difficult to play and requires a skilled ear to play accurate musical pieces.
In the 1950s, the first analogue synthesizers were manufactured. These machines took used oscillators and tape recordings to create and modify a wide variety of sounds. They were used to simulate the sounds of more traditional instruments. Radio Corporation of America (RCA) produced the first true synthesizer called the Electronic Music Synthesizer Mark I. The device functioned with twelve tuning forks, which could be manipulated into producing a variety of different sounds. The sounds could be recorded in real time. The instrument was very difficult to use, and all compositions needed to be entered into the machine in advance. It could not be played spontaneously like a traditional instrument.
Moog, a rival audio company, produced the first one-piece synthesizer, the Minimoog, in 1970. This synthesizer was designed with musicians' convenience in mind. By selling the machine as a single, non-modifiable object, Moog was able to make the Minimoog more affordable for musicians. Unfortunately, most synthesizers of the 1970s could only produce a single note at a time, drastically limiting their usefulness to composers. Additionally, because most synthesizers lacked significant quantities of internal memory, users had to manually adjust a large number of settings to transition between sounds.
These problems persisted until the invention of digital storage. New England Digital produced the first digital synthesizer, the Synclavier, in 1976. Unlike analog synthesizers, the voices and range of a digital synthesizer are limited solely by the power of its central processing unit (CPU). Digital synthesizers could synthesize multiple notes at once, allowing the musician to play chords and other complicated compositions. Many were even attached to a digital keyboard, which allowed musicians to play the synthesizer like any other instrument.
Overview
Electronics are present in many modern musical instruments. They allow traditionally acoustic instruments to amplify their sound. Electric guitars, pianos, violins, and other instruments are plugged into amplifiers, making them louder without significantly distorting sound. Many modern instruments are entirely electronic. For example, pianists have the option to purchase an acoustic piano or a digital variant. Acoustic pianos are traditional instruments and produce a more natural sound than electric pianos. Acoustic pianos produce sound through the vibration of specifically tuned strings, which are activated by pressing keys.
Unlike their acoustic counterparts, electric pianos contain no strings. Instead, each key contains an electronic switch. When activated, the switch tells the computer inside the piano to play a recording of the appropriate note. For this reason, electric pianos vary greatly in quality and sound. Some small, inexpensive models sound very little like a genuine piano. Others use high-quality, uncompressed recordings of notes. Some utilize mechanical hammers and weights to replicate the feel of a traditional piano. Unlike acoustic pianos, many electric pianos can easily be transported and stored. They also can be amplified easily and utilize a variety of audio effects unavailable to their acoustic counterparts.
The most common electronic musical instrument, the synthesizer, comes in a variety of types and sizes. Synthesizers produce the sounds of other musical instruments. Some synthesizers are contained inside an electronic keyboard. Musicians can adjust the settings on the keyboard, easily changing what type of sound is produced by the instrument. The synthesizer is played like a piano, but it can replicate string instruments, organs, horns, woodwinds, or drums. Many synthesizers can alter the pitch of notes or apply effects such as delay or extra reverb.
Many synthesizers are no longer physical instruments. Instead, they are software that transforms a personal computer into a powerful synthesizer. A large number of accessories can be utilized by computer software, which allows the user to simulate a large quantity of sounds.
Into the twenty-first century, electronic musical instruments are used in a variety of musical genres. Synthesizers can create instrumental and rhythmic backing for many popular music genres. Additionally, they are used as the primary musical instrument in electronic music genres. These include techno, house, dubstep, and electronica. Through the skilled use of a synthesizer, electronic music composers warp and twist the sounds of existing instruments and other sounds and turn them into unique musical pieces. Some electronic music is designed to be soothing, while other types are a modern twist on contemporary classics. Mostly, electronic music is written for large dance parties.
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