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 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)