ORAMICS Meaning and
Definition
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Oramics is a term that refers to a method of composing and generating music through the use of electronic devices. The word itself combines the terms "oral" and "harmony," reflecting the nature of this innovative technique. Oramics was developed in the mid-20th century by British composer Daphne Oram, who sought to explore new ways of creating music that departed from traditional compositional methods.
In the context of Oramics, composers use specially designed machines known as Oramics Machines to visually represent sound in the form of graphical notations. These notations are then used to generate and manipulate sounds electronically. The machines consist of a series of transparent strips containing various shapes and markings, which are scanned by photoelectric cells. As the machines scan the graphics, they convert the visual information into electrical signals that can be further manipulated to generate sounds.
The Oramics technique allowed composers to have a more tactile and visual approach to music creation, granting greater control and flexibility in shaping and manipulating sound. It provided a refreshing departure from the traditional reliance on musical instruments and notation. Oramics Machines, through their visual representations, offered composers a unique and innovative means of exploring and experimenting with different sound textures, timbres, and rhythmic patterns.
Despite its significance and impact on electronic music's evolution, Oramics remains a relatively niche and specialized form of music production, primarily embraced by experimental and avant-garde composers. Its legacy, however, extends beyond the musical realm, influencing subsequent developments in electronic instrument design and sound synthesis techniques.
Etymology of ORAMICS
The word "oramics" derives from the combination of the words "oral" and "physics" or "electromics". It was coined by the British composer and electronic musician Daphne Oram in the early 1960s to describe her new form of sound synthesis. Oram developed a unique technique that involved drawing sound waveforms on 35mm filmstrips, which were then processed through a machine known as the Oramics Machine. The term "oramics" reflects her focus on visual elements in sound creation, integrating the principles of physics and electronics with the expressive qualities of oral communication.
