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<p>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.</p>
<p>--tim (picking nits) ressel<br>
</p>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 5/29/2018 9:27 AM, Quincas Moreira
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:CA+u0Jtm69CY8biOvuqJ6mNZdaowpAL8i3hcUKujo6yJwFjUp2w@mail.gmail.com">
<div dir="ltr">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...<br>
<br>
<br>
</div>
<div class="gmail_extra"><br>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, May 29, 2018 at 11:06 AM, Tim
Ressel <span dir="ltr"><<a
href="mailto:timr@circuitabbey.com" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true">timr@circuitabbey.com</a>></span>
wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0
.8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">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?<br>
<br>
--tim (and his highly intelligent bottom) ressel
<div class="HOEnZb">
<div class="h5"><br>
<br>
<br>
On 5/29/2018 4:36 AM, Rob Kam wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0
.8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
Unlike for the history of electronic music <a
href="http://120years.net/" rel="noreferrer"
target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true">http://120years.net/</a>,
apparently<br>
there's not much documentation specifically for the
history of DIY<br>
electronic music equipment. I have some questions, if
I may.<br>
<br>
How to define SDIY - it's not just exclusively synths,
amateurs making<br>
electronic music circuits as opposed to plugging
together ready-made parts?<br>
When did SDIY begin and how has it developed over
the years? Especially<br>
since the invention of semiconductors but before then
should also be<br>
included. What were the significant moments and who
were the pioneers along<br>
the way?<br>
<br>
Bob Moog sold Theremin kits in the 1950s. Guitar
pedals began development in<br>
the 1960s. Before this there were guitar amplifiers
with effects built in,<br>
and earlier still people used magnetic tape. The PAiA
FAQ states that the<br>
1970s were busy, the 1980s were quieter, (with the
hobbyists being<br>
distracted by PCs) and that interest picked up again
in the 1990s. PAiA has<br>
been producing synthesizer kits since 1972.
Electronotes started in 1972.<br>
Various magazine articles by authors such as Tim Orr,
John Simonton, Don<br>
Lancaster, Craig Anderton, etc. give some sort of
indication. The earliest<br>
DIY electronic music instrument books seem to be from
the early to<br>
mid-1970s.<br>
<br>
How to distinguish what's SDIY from R&D? Obviously
the pioneers and<br>
inventors like Harald Bode and Kraftwerk had to DIY;
does this get ignored?<br>
Does it begin with the electro-magnetic Helmholtz
resonator?<br>
<br>
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<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
</div>
</div>
<span class="HOEnZb"><font color="#888888">
-- <br>
--Tim Ressel<br>
Circuit Abbey<br>
<a href="mailto:timr@circuitabbey.com" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true">timr@circuitabbey.com</a></font></span>
<div class="HOEnZb">
<div class="h5"><br>
<br>
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</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br>
<br clear="all">
<div><br>
</div>
-- <br>
<div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature">Quincas
Moreira<br>
Test Pilot at VBrazil Modular</div>
</div>
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<br>
<pre wrap="">_______________________________________________
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</pre>
</blockquote>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
--Tim Ressel
Circuit Abbey
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:timr@circuitabbey.com">timr@circuitabbey.com</a></pre>
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