Electronic Music History in the San Francisco Bay Area
Introduction
The San Francisco Bay Area has long been a hub for innovation in electronic music, from early academic experiments to thriving underground scenes. This timeline explores the key events, influential artists, and technological advancements that shaped the region's electronic music history.
Context
This is the incomplete history of electronic music in the San Francisco Bay Area. This area comprises all the counties that border the San Francisco Bay. They include the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma and San Francisco. Some counties not bordering the bay are sometimes included like San Benito, San Joaquin and Santa Cruz.
The Bay area has seen the creation of Buchla, Sequential and E-Mu synthesizers to name the most famous synthesizers brands.
It is organized as a timeline
Listen to this history as a fun podcast from my Patreon.
FAQ
Q: What is the purpose of this page?
A: This page is an incomplete history of electronic music in the San Francisco Bay Area, covering the events,
people, and technologies that shaped the scene from 1946 to 2022. It is a collaborative project by Franck Martin and
other contributors.
Q: What are some of the highlights of the electronic music history in the Bay Area?
A: Some of the highlights are:
- The Vortex concerts at the Morrison Planetarium in 1957, which combined surround sound and visual projections.
- The San Francisco Tape Music Center, founded in 1962, which was a hub for experimental music and the birthplace of the Buchla synthesizer.
- The Tudorfest in 1964, which celebrated the work of pianist David Tudor and featured performances by John Cage, Ann Riley, Pauline Oliveros, and others.
- The creation of iconic synthesizers such as the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, the E-Mu Emulator, and the Buchla systems by Bay Area companies and engineers.
- The creation of the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA) at Stanford University with the invention of FM synthesis.
- The creation of MIDI by Sequential Circuits founder Dave Smith and Roland founder Ikutaro Kakehashi.
- The creation of MAX software
Q: How can I learn more, contribute to or support this page?
A: You can learn more by following the links and references provided on the page You can also contribute to this
page by contacting Franck Martin. You can also check out his website for more information and links to his music. If
you want to support him and get exclusive content, you can join his mailing list or become a supporter starting
$20/year.
Contributors
The following people have contributed to this music history:
Many thanks for making this more informative and accurate. All errors are mine.
To know more
- The San Francisco Tape Music Center book at University of California Press.
Key Figures in San Francisco Electronic Music
Pioneers & Innovators
- Morton Subotnick – Co-founder of the SF Tape Music Center, helped develop the Buchla synthesizer.
- Pauline Oliveros – Co-founder of the SF Tape Music Center and advocate of Deep Listening and early electronic music innovator.
- Don Buchla – Created modular synthesizers that shaped the West Coast sound.
- Suzanne Ciani - Created early work on the Buchla, famous for her Buchla quadraphonic concerts, her work in Advertisement and Film.
- John Chowning - Inventor of digital FM synthesis.
- Dave Smith - Co-Creator of Midi and creator of the Prophet 5 the first polyphonic Synthesyzer.
- Roger Lynn - He is the designer of the LM-1, the first drum machine to use samples, and the MPC sampler, which had a major influence on the development of hip hop.
DJs & Producers Who Shaped the Scene
- The Residents – Experimental pioneers.
- Hardkiss Brothers – House and breaks innovators of the '90s SF scene.
- Claude VonStroke – Founder of Dirtybird Records, blending house and tech-funk.