Electronic musical instruments are necessary to produce Electronic Dance Music or any new-age music. They use electronic circuitry. The instrument outputs an electrical, electronic, or digital audio signal for appropriate inputs. This output gets plugged into a power amplifier, and we hear the sound through a loudspeaker.
As complicated as it sounds, music’s beauty lies in these complicated compositions. So let us see some of the musical instruments contributing to contemporary culture.
1. Electronic Keyboard:
An electronic keyboard is versatile in its use. It has been used through the ages, making both classical and popular music genres. This instrument tops the list because of its familiarity and popularity.
2. Roland Octapads:
Roland Octapads are every percussionist’s favorite. They give the effect of any percussion instrument just by using drumsticks. In addition, this instrument is power-packed with a percussion database of 8 sections.
3. Theremin:
Etherophone, a synthesizer developed by Leon Theremin, later transformed into the Theremin we call today. The Theremin is the first musical instrument that doesn’t require touch. Instead, it has two antennas to sense the position of the user’s hand and converts the electric signals into frequency. The Theremin also marks its specificity by being the first contributor of electronic compositions; then came noisemakers and re-purposed machines.
4. Continuum Fingerboard:
The Continuum Fingerboard is a type of synthesizer. Generally, synthesizers have a range of uses. Artists use them to create sounds using other devices. It is also a music performance controller. Its playing surface uses a touch sensor.
5. The Reactable:
The Reactable is a round translucent table. Its place is in a darkened room. The table itself is the display and is backlit. It has an interactive display with various animated symbols showing a tangible function each.
6. Percussa AudioCubes:
AudioCubes are autonomous wireless cubes. They have an internal computer system and a rechargeable battery to power them. In addition, they have internal RGB lighting that helps them detect each other’s location and the user’s hands and fingers. These cubes interact together to form music. AudioCubes finds its purpose in sound design, music production, DJing, and live performances.
7. Kaosscilator:
The Kaossilator and Kaossilator Pro are compact instruments. Here the position of a finger on the touchpad controls note characteristics. The limitation is the controlled sequences of notes because the pad on a regular Kaossilator is featureless.
8. Eigenharp:
The Eigenharp is a large instrument. It works through big buttons, a drum sequencer, and a mouthpiece. The controller here is flexible and portable. The sound processing is done on a separate computer using the software. This software is open source, and the user can program it as required. Then it is run under Windows and macOS.
9. AlphaSphere:
The AlphaSphere is a spherical instrument with 48 tactile pads. These pads make a sound out of pressure as well as touch. The custom software program produces sound individually or in groups.
10. The Xth Sense:
The XTH Sense is a wearable instrument. It works by converting muscle sounds from the human body to sound. The instrument observes mechanical signals the muscle contractions for this purpose. These contractions cause prominent peaks, and a chip microphone captures these sounds. These sounds enter software programs that sample them and create a library of audio effects.
