THE ACOUSTIC WORLD
Sound + Technology: Where do we start?
Review...
The field of anthropology defines technology as:
The body of knowledge available to a society that is of use in fashioning implements, practicing manual arts and skills, and extracting or collecting materials.
The Technology Curve
–from The Craft of Controlling Sound,
Dr. Stephen Solum
Use of technology is not a true/false, but to what degree.
There is no "best place to be" on the Technology Curve– What's the best tool for the job?
Aeolian Harp
after Aeolus, god of the wind
Hydraulis
Greeks, 2nd century B.C.
Ktesibios, inventor
("tsibius")
Pneumatics:
The branch of physics or technology concerned with the mechanical properties of gases.
Acoustics
Pythagoras
5th-6th century B.C.
Discovered numerical ratios corresponding to intervals of the musical scale. He developed this into a theory he called "harmony of the spheres..."
"Harmony of the World" (1806), Ebenezer Sibly
–"Dictionary of Phrase and Fable", E. Cobham Brewer
Pythagoras
5th-6th century B.C.
Discovered numerical ratios corresponding to intervals of the musical scale. He developed this into a theory he called "harmony of the spheres..."
"Harmony of the World" (1806), Ebenezer Sibly
Pythagoras– having ascertained that the pitch of notes depends on the rapidity of vibrations, and also that the planets move at different rates of motion– concluded that the sounds made by their motion must vary according to their different rates of motion. As all things in nature are harmoniously made, the different sounds must harmonise, and the combination he called the “harmony of the spheres.”
Harry Partch
1901-1974
California/University of Wisconsin/hobo
Just Intonation Guitar Neck
Published 1863
Phonautograph–1857
Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville
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Discovered in 2008
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To study acoustics
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Recording only– No playback!
Optical playback & restoration by David Giovannoni (FirstSounds.org)
Phonomotor–1878
Thomas Edison
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Also called the "Vocal Engine"
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To measure the mechanical force of sound
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Converted sound energy (air pressure) into rotary motion
Acoustic Amplification?
well, sort of...
Stroh Violin
Stroh Cellos
Victor Auxetophone (1898)
Compressed Air Amplification
Have you heard the auxetophone? It is to be hoped not. All Mr. Parsons' turbines will be wanted to take long-suffering humanity out of earshot of his diabolical invention.
Composer Aleks Kolkowski