Objects of electronic Sound and music in museums
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Sch of Music
Abstract
Overview of the Research
The modular synthesizer is experiencing a resurgence in popularity and use among musicians and enthusiasts. However the technology, social community and music that created this phenomenon has received little scholarly attention. The consequence is that identities and roles shaped within these frameworks are poorly understood. Furthermore, this insufficient documentation of the contemporary modular synthesizer contributes to a poor understanding of the instrument's impact on the wider framework of contemporary music technologies, communities and musical practice. This research aims to provide an insight into the contribution that the modular synthesizer makes to contemporary electronic music by investigating how identities and roles are shaped within technical, social and musical contexts and how DIY practice impacts on modular synthesizer culture. An ethnographic study of modular synthesizer culture in Yorkshire will be conducted. This deductive research will test approaches from Science and Technology Studies (STS), exploring identities and roles within technical, social and musical contexts. This research will contribute to the field of Electronic and Computer Music alongside similar research conducted at the University of Leeds.
The modular synthesizer is experiencing a resurgence in popularity and use among musicians and enthusiasts. However the technology, social community and music that created this phenomenon has received little scholarly attention. The consequence is that identities and roles shaped within these frameworks are poorly understood. Furthermore, this insufficient documentation of the contemporary modular synthesizer contributes to a poor understanding of the instrument's impact on the wider framework of contemporary music technologies, communities and musical practice. This research aims to provide an insight into the contribution that the modular synthesizer makes to contemporary electronic music by investigating how identities and roles are shaped within technical, social and musical contexts and how DIY practice impacts on modular synthesizer culture. An ethnographic study of modular synthesizer culture in Yorkshire will be conducted. This deductive research will test approaches from Science and Technology Studies (STS), exploring identities and roles within technical, social and musical contexts. This research will contribute to the field of Electronic and Computer Music alongside similar research conducted at the University of Leeds.
