Musique Concrete Techniques:

A lot of the tape manipulation techniques would now form part of what we would call sampling. The following techniques are used mainly: Changing Tape speeds to raise or lower pitch or modify timbre. If speeds are changed whilst recording then interesting glissandi may be produced. Sounds may be played backwards (at the touch of a button in the case of manipulating computer audio files) and the character of the sound changed as a result.

Tape may be cut, so for example the initial attack (or transient) may be removed leaving an unfamiliar sound. (A piano becomes a sort of organ sound for example). Sections of cut tape may be reassembled then in a new order, creating new unfamiliar sounds. Tape loops consisting of short lengths of tape can be played back to produce ostinato passages. (The sampler has made this facility available as part of a live performing instrument). Multi-track recording (tape/DAT or to a Hard Disk) enables material to be mixed at different levels and sound diffusion enables recorded sound to reach the audience from all directions (via the placing of 4 or more speakers) changing the aural perception of the acoustic environment. In addition to tape manipulation, electronic modification of sounds through a use of filters or ring modulation may take place in musique concrete. Envelope generators may be used to change the shape of a sound, or a sound may be prolonged via reverberation or digital delay.