Discovering Electronic Music (Revised)

Year Published: 1983

Creator: Barr Films.

Complete Record: Demonstrates the latest modern digital sound synthesizer which has revolutionized motion picture music composition. Explains how sounds are synthesized and controlled electronically. Illustrates different kinds of sound waves as well as the concepts of enveloping and filtering. Opens with a brief montage of equipment. MS of 1980’s computer and reel-to-reel. Isolated shot of audio- spectrograph. After three different direct-address sequences by experts there is an interesting montage of equipment. Shots of cellist and flutist with graphic wave pattern. Following this is a sequence where an African-American man demonstrates oscillators, synthesizer and plays classical piano on two keyboards. Interesting 4-way split screen. Long sequence of different middle-aged white men operating oscillator to make sound-effects. Insert shots of an airplane and Japanese Kyoto- player and CU of instrument. 1980s floppy-disc, computer- monitor and keyboard illustrates early sampling keyboard. Potentially humorous shot of a recording studio where traditional instrumentalists, a trumpet- player, saxophonist, cellist contrast with the operator of oscillator- board with dual- keyboard. Final sequence of sound- oscillator control boards and computer- operation with a light- pen.