The Analogue Computer as a Voltage-Controlled Synthesiser

This paper re-appraises the role of analogue computers within electronic and computer music and provides some pointers to future areas of research. It begins by introducing the idea of analogue computing and placing in the context of sound and music applications. This is followed by a brief examination of the classic constituents of an analogue computer, contrasting these with the typical modular voltage-controlled synthesiser. Two examples are presented, leading to a discussion on some parallels between these two technologies. This is followed by an examination of the current state-of-the-art in analogue computation and its prospects for applications in computer and electronic music

Synthesizers : the assimilation of the monsters of film music = Synthétiseurs : l’assimilation des monstres de la musique de film

Le regard de la société sur les avancées technologiques a été la cible de multiples remises en question. Des premiers synthétiseurs aux allures monstrueuses et presque grotesques aux instruments virtuels, les compositeurs de musique de film ont souvent port. un regard curieux sur cet instrument énigmatique, aussi singulier que versatile. Un synthétiseur est un appareil musical électronique ou un logiciel utilisé pour générer et combiner des signaux audio par des processus analogiques ou numériques . (traduit de Devine, 2013). Par un processus d’expérimentation, certains compositeurs ont relevé le défi musical d’utiliser le synthétiseur dans la musique de film. Avec le temps, ils ont trouvé en lui un outil irremplaçable.Society's view of technological advances has been the target of many questionings. From the first monstrous and almost grotesque looking synthesizers to virtual instruments, composers of film music have often taken a curious look at this enigmatic instrument, as singular as it is versatile. A synthesizer is an "electronic musical device or software used to generate and combine audio signals through analog or digital processes" (translated from Devine, 2013). Through a process of experimentation, some composers have taken on the musical challenge of using the synthesizer in film music. Over time, they have found in it an irreplaceable tool