Chapter 04 of 5
Machines Make Music
The synthesizer, the sampler and the six-second drum break heard on thousands of records.
- The Inventor
Robert Moog
In 1964 American engineer Robert Moog unveiled a modular synthesizer: cabinets of electronics linked by patch cables.
- The Idea
Building sound
A synthesizer creates sound electronically, then shapes it with filters and envelopes. It can imitate instruments or invent new sounds.
- The Album
Switched-On Bach
In 1968 Wendy Carlos released Switched-On Bach, Bach's music played on a Moog. It became a surprise bestseller and won Grammys.
17 more cards in this chapter
Could you answer this?
What is the "Amen break"?
📻 The Sound That Changed Everything
- 01Capturing SoundThe first recordings, a talking tinfoil machine and why pop songs last three minutes.
- 02The Microphone Changes SingingCrooners, radio, magnetic tape and a guitarist who recorded with himself.
- 03The Studio as InstrumentWalls of sound, backwards guitars and the Beatles' sonic experiments.
- 04Machines Make MusicThe synthesizer, the sampler and the six-second drum break heard on thousands of records.
- 05From CD to Auto-TuneDiscs, downloads, streams and the pitch fixer that became a sound of its own.