[sdiy] History of SDIY?

[Tim Ressel]

I guess the genesis of the word 'synthesizer' comes from the notion that 
a natural instrument sound is being created artificially. But the 
'synthesizer' quickly became a proper instrument when it became clear it 
could make sounds no natural instrument could. So if a synthesizer can 
be an instrument, why can't an instrument like the Telharmonium be a 
synthesizer? After all, the term 'bacteria' wasn't around during the 
Black Death, but we still use it to describe the pathogen responsible.

--tim (picking nits) ressel


On 5/29/2018 9:27 AM, Quincas Moreira wrote:
> Pete, the Telharmonium, the Novacord, the Ondes Martenot, the 
> Trautonium and even the Hammond Organ, all could be considered early 
> synths.  However, they still lack any kind of control interaction 
> between different parts, except for maybe some rudimentary envelopes. 
> They are mostly manually controlled via hands on drawbars, ribbons, 
> keys, switches and levers.  And the term "Synthesizer" did not exist 
> then. It was born with the RCA Mark II. So for historical clarity, 
> though these instruments can behave like synths, I still insist on 
> calling them early electronic musical instruments, but not synths. At 
> least that's what I tell students at my lectures. It's kind of 
> subjective I guess...
>
>
>
> On Tue, May 29, 2018 at 11:06 AM, Tim Ressel <timr at circuitabbey.com 
> <mailto:timr at circuitabbey.com>> wrote:
>
>     At the risk of sounding smart-ass-ish, define DIY.  If you are the
>     first to do something, it that automatically DIY?  Is Robert Moog
>     guilty of DIY?  What about Thaddeus Cahill and his Telharmonium,
>     is that DIY?
>
>     --tim (and his highly intelligent bottom) ressel
>
>
>
>     On 5/29/2018 4:36 AM, Rob Kam wrote:
>
>         Unlike for the history of electronic music
>         http://120years.net/, apparently
>         there's not much documentation specifically for the history of DIY
>         electronic music equipment. I have some questions, if I may.
>
>         How to define SDIY - it's not just exclusively synths,
>         amateurs making
>         electronic music circuits as opposed to plugging together
>         ready-made parts?
>           When did SDIY begin and how has it developed over the years?
>         Especially
>         since the invention of semiconductors but before then should
>         also be
>         included. What were the significant moments and who were the
>         pioneers along
>         the way?
>
>         Bob Moog sold Theremin kits in the 1950s. Guitar pedals began
>         development in
>         the 1960s. Before this there were guitar amplifiers with
>         effects built in,
>         and earlier still people used magnetic tape. The PAiA FAQ
>         states that the
>         1970s were busy, the 1980s were quieter, (with the hobbyists being
>         distracted by PCs) and that interest picked up again in the
>         1990s. PAiA has
>         been producing synthesizer kits since 1972. Electronotes
>         started in 1972.
>         Various magazine articles by authors such as Tim Orr, John
>         Simonton, Don
>         Lancaster, Craig Anderton, etc. give some sort of indication.
>         The earliest
>         DIY electronic music instrument books seem to be from the early to
>         mid-1970s.
>
>         How to distinguish what's SDIY from R&D? Obviously the
>         pioneers and
>         inventors like Harald Bode and Kraftwerk had to DIY; does this
>         get ignored?
>         Does it begin with the electro-magnetic Helmholtz resonator?
>
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>
>     -- 
>     --Tim Ressel
>     Circuit Abbey
>     timr at circuitabbey.com <mailto:timr at circuitabbey.com>
>
>
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>
>
>
> -- 
> Quincas Moreira
> Test Pilot at VBrazil Modular
>
>
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-- 
--Tim Ressel
Circuit Abbey
timr at circuitabbey.com

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