tags: mus-407 early-electroacoustic-instruments
RCA Mark II Synthesizer
The RCA Mark II synthesizer is an [analog]-[digital] hybrid synthesizer instrument invented in 1957
- a "monstrosity" of an instrument
Features
- a tone generator, but also a computer
- user feeds it binary data (punched holes on paper)
- floor-to-ceiling synthesizer, numerous [signal] processing modules
- not limited by human physicality, theoretically complete control over all musical parameters
- serialism
- combination of complex sound generation and sequencing
- user could program a sequence of events, rather than splicing pieces of magnetic tape together
- gives off DISSCO vibes ngl ...
- acquired by [Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Center]
- used prominently by Milton Babbitt
- obsolete within a decade, overtaken by solid-state electronics (Moog, Buchla synthesizers)
Sources
- MUS 407 History of Electroacoustic Music: Early Instruments