Umair Gaines
Electronic music is a broad genre of music that employs electronic musical instruments, circuitry-based music technology, and software. It is produced using various sound resources, including microphones, electronic oscillators, and computer installations, which are then edited to create the final product. Electronic music has been developing since the early 1900s, with the first notable effort made by Thaddeus Cahill at the turn of the 20th century. Since then, it has evolved into a unique genre with various subgenres, such as techno, electro-soul, and electro-funk. Electronic music is not limited to a specific style or genre but is rather a technique of producing music that has had a significant impact on the development of music in the 20th and 21st centuries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Any music involving electronic processing, such as recording and editing on tape, and whose reproduction involves the use of loudspeakers |
| History | The first notable effort to generate electronic music was made by Thaddeus Cahill at the turn of the 20th century. |
| In the 1930s, Laurens Hammond invented the Hammond organ, which produces a harmonic content that does not diminish as the player goes up the keyboard. | |
| In 1939, John Cage published Imaginary Landscape No. 1, using two variable-speed turntables, frequency recordings, a muted piano, and a cymbal. | |
| In the 1950s, several electronic keyboard instruments were produced, such as the Clavioline and the Solovox. | |
| In the 1990s, the first wave of indie electronic artists emerged, such as Stereolab and Disco Inferno. | |
| Instruments | Electronic musical instruments, circuitry-based music technology, software, or general-purpose electronics (e.g. personal computers) |
| Drum machines, synthesizers, samplers, tape recorders, computers, microphones, electronic oscillators, and computer installations | |
| Electromechanical instruments (e.g. strings or hammers) with electric elements (e.g. magnetic pickups, power amplifiers, and loudspeakers) | |
| Novel electronic instruments designed to supply timbres not provided by ordinary musical instruments | |
| Experimental electronic instruments created through "circuit bending" | |
| Techniques | Editing, cutting, pitch shifting, sampling, and live coding |
| Music for Magnetic Tape Project | |
| Electro-soul, characterized by a predominant bass line and a chopped-up electro breakbeat contrasted with soulful male vocals | |
| Electro-funk or electro-pop, a genre of electronic dance music influenced by the use of the Roland TR-808 drum machine and early hip-hop and funk genres | |
| Electro hip-hop, with an emphasis on science fiction or futuristic themes |
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What You'll Learn
Electronic music is a broad genre
One of the earliest efforts to create electronic music was made by Thaddeus Cahill at the turn of the 20th century. He invented the telharmonium, which converted electrical signals into sound using a rotary generator and telephone receiver. In the 1930s, Laurens Hammond invented the Hammond organ, which produces a harmonic content that does not diminish as the player moves up the keyboard. This instrument was scored specifically by composers such as Karlheinz Stockhausen and Arne Nordheim.
The development of electronic music was driven by the experiments of music producers and composers who utilised emerging technologies. Electronic musical instruments were initially used to reproduce existing music and for public performances, but they soon began to create new and unique sounds. The first wave of indie electronic artists emerged in the 1990s, with acts such as Stereolab and Disco Inferno embracing vintage gear and modern sampling technology, respectively. The genre expanded in the 2000s with the widespread use of home recording and software synthesizers.
Electronic music can be created using various sound resources, including microphones, electronic oscillators, and computer installations. It often involves recording and editing on tape and is reproduced using loudspeakers. The term "Live PA" refers to any live performance of electronic music, which can include laptops, synthesizers, or other electronic devices. Electronic music encompasses a diverse range of styles, from dance music and techno to electro-soul and hip-hop. It has also influenced the development of fusion genres that combine electronic and non-electronic music.
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It uses electronic instruments and technology
Electronic music is a broad genre of music that uses electronic musical instruments and circuitry-based music technology and software. It can be created using both electronic and electromechanical means. Purely electronic instruments rely entirely on circuitry-based sound generation, using devices such as electronic oscillators, theremins, or synthesizers. On the other hand, electromechanical instruments have mechanical parts such as strings or hammers that generate sound waves, along with electric elements like magnetic pickups, power amplifiers, and loudspeakers that convert acoustic waves into electrical signals.
The development of electronic musical instruments began in the early 1900s, with the introduction of synthetic sound devices and the first notable effort to generate electronic music by Thaddeus Cahill, who converted electrical signals into sounds using a rotary generator and telephone receiver. He called his invention the telharmonium. The Italian futurist painter, Luigi Russolo, proposed replacing old music with music produced using instruments reflecting current technology. He built a mechanically-activated noise instrument called the intonarumori.
The first wave of indie electronic artists emerged in the 1990s, with acts like Stereolab, who used vintage gear, and Disco Inferno, who embraced modern sampling technology. The genre expanded in the 2000s as home recording and software synthesizers became more accessible. Artists in this wave included Broadcast, Lali Puna, Múm, the Postal Service, Skeletons, and School of Seven Bells. Labels associated with this style include Warp, Morr Music, Sub Pop, and Ghostly International.
As computer technology has advanced, interacting with music production technology has become more versatile. For example, laptop performance (laptronica), live coding, and Algorave are now possible. Live PA refers to any live performance of electronic music, often using laptops, synthesizers, or other devices. Electronic music has also given rise to various subgenres, such as techno, electro-soul, and electro-funk, and has influenced the development of popular music genres like rock and alternative music.
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It can be created using circuitry-based music technology and software
Electronic music is a broad group of music genres that use electronic musical instruments, circuitry-based music technology, and software. It can be created using circuitry-based music technology and software, such as Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), which are primary software for making electronic music. DAWs enable users to record, edit, and mix large, multi-track projects, acting as a central hub for the entire setup. They offer versatility and all-in-one connectivity, allowing for the processing of audio recordings alongside virtual and external hardware instruments.
MIDI controllers provide a hardware interface for controlling and playing other devices, including virtual instruments. They come in various forms, such as piano keyboards for playing melodies and drum pads for creating beats and triggering samples. MIDI controllers are useful for producing electronic music as they combine the tangibility of hardware with a vast array of software sounds and effects, enhancing the creative workflow.
Software audio units, known as plugins, run inside the DAW environment, providing additional sounds and features. Plugins are divided into two main categories: instruments and effects. Native Instruments' MASCHINE is an example of a MIDI controller that utilizes cutting-edge software and hardware to produce beats, melodies, and harmonies. It offers a wide range of genre-specific Expansions, as well as Kontakt, a flagship sampler with a diverse library of sounds.
The evolution of electronic music has been closely tied to advancements in technology. The introduction of digital sampling in the late 1960s, with the EMS Musys system, paved the way for the first commercially available sampling synthesizer, the Computer Music Melodian, in 1976. The 1980s witnessed the emergence of bass synthesizers like the influential Roland TB-303, which played a pivotal role in the development of electronic dance music, particularly acid house.
Additionally, the early 2000s saw the rise of software-based virtual studio environments, such as Propellerhead's Reason and Ableton Live, offering cost-effective alternatives to traditional hardware-based production studios. These advancements have made it possible for anyone with a laptop computer to create high-quality electronic music, showcasing the dynamic and progressive nature of this musical genre.
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It can be performed live, or played back through a loudspeaker
Electronic music is a broad term for music that is predominantly made using electronic instruments and technology. It can be performed live or played back through a loudspeaker.
A live performance of electronic music is known as a Live PA and can include the use of laptops, synthesizers, or other devices. For example, in 1954, John Cage performed Williams Mix at the Donaueschingen Festival using eight loudspeakers. In 1997, Wendy Carlos performed with a synthesizer alongside the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. In 2018, Suzanne Ciani released a live album documenting her first solo performance on a Buchla synthesizer in 40 years.
Electronic music can also be played back through loudspeakers, either alone or accompanied by other musical instruments. This can include music that has been recorded and edited on tape, as well as music that has been electronically modified or processed. For example, in the 1920s, composers began using record players to play short recordings in performances. The introduction of electrical recording in 1925 led to increased experimentation with record players.
The development of electronic music has been influenced by the creation of new electronic instruments and technology. This includes the invention of the Hammond organ in the 1930s, the first audio tape recorder in 1935, and the emergence of sampling and synthesis technology in the 1990s. The internet, streaming music websites, and advancements in music software have also contributed to the growth of electronic music in the 21st century.
Electronic music encompasses a wide range of genres, including techno, electro-soul, electro-funk, and various fusion genres that combine electronic and non-electronic music. It is important to note that electronic music is not limited to electronic dance music (EDM) or any specific style, but rather refers to the use of electronic means to produce or modify music.
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It emerged in the early 1900s
Electronic music is a broad group of music genres that employ electronic musical instruments, circuitry-based music technology, and software. It emerged in the early 1900s, with the first electronic musical devices being developed at the end of the 19th century. The first wave of electronic musical instruments emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, with the invention of electronic organs and the introduction of electrical recording. These early electronic instruments relied on vacuum tubes and tube oscillator circuits to generate and amplify electrical signals.
In the 1920s, composers began using record players to play short recordings in performances, and the introduction of electrical recording in 1925 led to increased experimentation with these devices. The first compositions featuring electronic instruments were written during this time, and by the 1930s, electronic music was being created in the United States. John Cage's "Imaginary Landscape, No. 1" (1939) utilized two variable-speed turntables, frequency recordings, a muted piano, and a cymbal, showcasing an early example of electronic music creation.
The 1940s saw further advancements with the development of magnetic audio tape, which allowed musicians to tape and modify sounds by manipulating tape speed and direction. This led to the emergence of electroacoustic tape music in Egypt and France. Additionally, the concept of "Musique concrète," created in Paris in 1948, involved editing together recorded fragments of natural and industrial sounds, pushing the boundaries of electronic music creation.
In the 1950s, German composer Karlheinz Stockhausen produced music solely from electronic generators, marking a significant milestone. By the 1970s, electronic music had a profound influence on popular music, with the emergence of genres such as disco, synth-pop, hip-hop, and electronic dance music (EDM). The adoption of polyphonic synthesizers, electronic drums, and drum machines revolutionized the music landscape.
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Frequently asked questions
Electronic music is any music that involves electronic processing, such as recording and editing on tape, and whose reproduction involves the use of loudspeakers. It is a broad group of music genres that employ electronic musical instruments, circuitry-based music technology, and software. It is not a style or genre of music but rather a technique of producing music.
Some examples of electronic music include Trance, Techno, Electro, and Electronica. Electro, for example, is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged from the decline of disco music in the United States. It is characterized by heavy electronic sounds, often without vocals, and a focus on electronic beats produced by drum machines.
Electronic music employs a range of electronic musical instruments and technology, such as drum machines, synthesizers, samplers, and computers. Some early electronic instruments include the telharmonium, invented by Thaddeus Cahill, and the Hammond organ, invented by Laurens Hammond.
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