Electronic music:

Work in the electronic studio was very time consuming (and still is!) with each element built up from various elements. Sounds are defined as groups of frequencies (see waveforms) which are sine tones at various volumes and lengths. Each sound has a shape (envelope) and can be processed (reverberation time for example). It should be remembered that all this work was pre- synthesizer and achieved largely by hundreds of recordings on to tape which are then cut and reassembled (spliced on to the master tape).

As remarked in the musique concrete discussion certain devices in the studio were common to both schools, however certain sound sources should be mentioned here. Wave Generators (See waveforms), Noise generators, filters, and ring modulators were vital as were reverberation devices (echo chambers which were also vital to musique concrete). Because electronic music was not made of 'living sounds' the device gave life to dry sounds, which were often repeatedly recorded and processed.