Acoustic Properties of Electrons

Traditional instruments produce characteristic sounds and timbres which we accept as a given, and rarely do we find ourselves asking what makes a flute, French Horn or harmonica sound the way it does? The physical properties of solid-state electronic components also have their own characteristic properties and these, depending on how they are configured and arranged are largely responsible for the classic, analog sounds we associate with early synthesizers. Early synth pioneers all tried to find their own unique voices (often for commercial, IP reasons) with the technology of the time and these are have stuck around because they are well loved and produce a nostalgic quality which remains very desirable.

My self-taught view of this is that electrons have specific properties in different materials and the interactions between these is what makes the sounds we love and cherish.

Concepts I plan to expand on and explore include: 

• Capacitors are like springs.

• Electrons move through semiconductors in interesting, non-linear ways.

• Oscillators are the cyclic interactions of capacitors, resistors and transistors. There are no moving parts.

• Filters and oscillators are made from the same components, but arranged differently.

• VCV Rack is a great audio playground to explore a wide range of modular synthesis concepts for FREE.