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Mars By 1980: The Story of Electronic Music

Quincy Ward

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Electronic music is a genre of music that is created using electronic instruments. These instruments can be anything from synthesizers to drum machines to computers. Electronic music has been around for over a century, but it really started to take off in the 1980s, thanks to the development of new technologies and the rise of new genres like techno and house.

Mars by 1980: The Story of Electronic Music

by David Stubbs

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5049 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	442 pages

The Early Years

The earliest forms of electronic music were created in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These early experiments were often based on the use of telegraph and telephone equipment. In 1876, Elisha Gray invented the musical telegraph, which allowed musicians to transmit musical notes over telegraph wires.

In 1897, Thaddeus Cahill invented the telharmonium, which was a large electromechanical instrument that could produce a wide range of sounds. The telharmonium was used to create some of the earliest known electronic music compositions.

The 1950s and 1960s

In the 1950s and 1960s, electronic music began to be used in a variety of new ways. Composers such as Karlheinz Stockhausen and Pierre Schaeffer began to experiment with tape recorders and other electronic devices to create new and innovative soundscapes.

In the late 1960s, the development of the synthesizer made it possible for musicians to create electronic music in real time. This led to the emergence of new genres of electronic music, such as techno and house.

The 1980s

The 1980s was a watershed moment for electronic music. The development of new technologies, such as the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) protocol, made it possible for musicians to connect their electronic instruments together and create more complex and sophisticated music.

The 1980s also saw the rise of new genres of electronic music, such as techno and house. These genres were characterized by their use of repetitive beats and synthesized sounds.

The 1990s and Beyond

In the 1990s, electronic music continued to evolve and diversify. New genres emerged, such as drum and bass and jungle. Electronic music also began to be used in a variety of new commercial applications, such as film and video game soundtracks.

In the 21st century, electronic music has become one of the most popular and influential genres of music in the world. It is used in a wide variety of settings, from clubs and festivals to concert halls and movie theaters.

Electronic music has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the late 1800s. Today, it is one of the most popular and influential genres of music in the world. Electronic music has been used to create some of the most iconic and groundbreaking music of all time. It has also been used to create new and innovative ways to experience music.