A Brief History of Synthesizers

Music has its own unique appeal, which transcendsThe late 70s and early 80s, there was a spurt of
boundaries and touches every single soul. The mostinitiatives to build ones own synthesizer. Many media
versatile amongst all instruments, which havereports at that time also flashed designs that were
transformed the entire musical landscape globally,is thepublished in hobby electronics magazines. There are
synthesizer. Synthesizers have the magic to bring lifealso interesting anecdotes on how synthesizers were
to any performance.evolved in each household.
History of synthesizers is replete with interesting twistsSome of the noteworthy synthesizer manufacturers
and turns. The mid 80s proved to be a booming phasewho has contributed to the history were as follows
for this magical instrument. The history of electronicAccess Music
music reached a new height with the emergence ofAlesis
the synthesizer.ARP
Some of the synthesizer models which absolutelyArturia
proved to be the delight of musicians are as followsAkai
CZ-2600SBuchla and Associates
CZ-3000Casio
CZ-101Clavia
CZ-230SFurther research in the field of synthesizers however,
CZ-1000led to the emergence of a much-matured device in
CZ-50001975, which had polyphonic features. This particular
CT-6500category of synthesizer was capable of playing 2-8
Types of synthesizersnotes at one time depending on the model. This kind of
Synthesizers are primarily of three different kinds,synthesizers had amazing storage capacity with 16
which are as followsseparate memory slots.
AnalogThe bass synthesizer was perhaps the most popular
Digitalversion of synthesizers, which has carved a niche for
Softwareitself in the history books. This version of synthesizer
There are also synthesizers, which are a combinationwas capable of producing new sounds for this version.
of the above-mentioned kinds known as hybridWhat contributed greatly to the popularity of
synthesizers.synthesizers were its unique features. Synthesizers
There are many synthesis methods, which havecould easily be integrated and synchronised with other
gradually evolved over the years. Some of them aremusical instruments.
as followsThe year 1978 saw the emergence of the first fully
Frequency modulation synthesisequipped polyphonic synthesizers. This device was
Phase distortion synthesiscapable of producing 5 tones at one go. It also had
Physical synthesisincreased memory capacity with 32 different memory
Sample-based synthesisslots. They later emerged as the most popular
Sub harmonic synthesisaccompanier in the musical circuits.
Subtractive synthesisHowever, the history of synthesizers underwent a
Additive synthesisparadigm change with the advent of lead keyboard.
Granular synthesisThey were also known as analog synthesizers. These
Wavetable synthesiskind of synthesizers gave musicians greater freedom
Synthesizers first hit the market in 1971. It was thento editing.
that the first pre-wired synthesizer made its maidenTraversing a long interesting road synthesizers have
appearance in the musical circuits. However, it wasemerged as the most popular musical instrument. It has
then a much simpler device. It had monophonicbecome an integral part of the entire musical journey
features and had no memory unlike futureglobally.
synthesizers.