Synths

Question 1

Theremin (1920)

Answer 1

Played by moving hands near two antennas (pitch + volume)

Question 2

Synthesis (1930s-40s)

Answer 2

Elements of synthesis: Oscillators, filters, envelopes

Early use in organs for traditional sounds

Used in experimental music

Question 3

Modular Synthesis (1960s)

Answer 3

No fixed path – User patches modules manually

Used valves, then transitioned to transistors = Smaller + more efficient

Question 4

The Minimoog (1970)

Answer 4

Portable + affordable alternative to large modular synths

Fixed architecture, still powerful

Question 5

Polyphonic Synths (1970s)

Answer 5

Polyphony = Multiple notes at once

Needs multiple synced oscillators

Question 6

Digital Technology (Late 1970s–1980s)

Answer 6

Rise of digital synths

Cleaner, more precise sounds vs analogue’s flaws

Question 7

Synth Development (1980s–1990s)

Answer 7

Most synths became fully digital

Analogue modelling began-digital synths imitating vintage analog tones