SyReN
Synthesizer Research Network (SyReN)
The Synthesizer Research Network (SyReN) is a new international collaboration between academic researchers, industrial designers, sound designers, musicians, and synthesizer experts / enthusiasts. These different communities share common interests in the history, design, and use of synthesizers. However, there are no established formal connections between these diverse groups, despite the obvious advantages of collaboration. The goal of the network is to bring a wide range of stakeholders together to improve our understanding of how synthesizers are used, and how they are designed, both from historical and contemporary perspectives. This knowledge may then be used to: improve the design of future instruments, help us to learn more about existing instruments, inform future performance practice, and enhance the field of synthesizer scholarship.
SyReN will aim to increase collaboration, produce co-authored publications, and host events. The network is not linked to any individual university or organisation, and will remain independent.
Example research questions for the network:
- Do variations in synthesizer user interface design impact upon how instruments are used by musicians?
- What are the most commonly-used features of synthesizers, as used by musicians?
- To what extent has the sound and character of music within specific genres been impacted by the design of synthesizers?
- How should different types of synthesizer be classified or compared?
- To what extent has synthesizer performance practice evolved over time?
- Is it possible to define specific categories of sounds that are typical of each type of synthesizer?
- How has the perception of the synthesizer changed over time?
- To what extent is the musical and sonic potential of synthesizer being exploited by composers and performers?
- Can industrial design processes be improved from access to a wide community of expertise?
Further areas of enquiry and research questions will be developed by the network over time.
Contact:
Dr Ewan Stefani (University of Leeds, UK) – e.j.stefani@leeds.ac.uk
Director: Centre for Practice Research in the Arts, University of Leeds, UK.
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Who?
- Musicians, performers, composers
- Sound designers
- Synthesizer manufacturers and industry partners
- Synthesizer enthusiasts and hobbyists
- Academics and educators
- Independent researchers and documentary-makers
- Students on electronic music courses
- Synthesizer audiences
- Anyone with an interest in synthesizer research
Basic aims:
- Create an international network
- Initiate new research projects and studies
- Collaborate on development of new instruments / software
- Host events, concerts, workshops, lectures, and meeting groups
Interested?
Contact:
Dr Ewan Stefani (University of Leeds, UK) – e.j.stefani@leeds.ac.uk
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