SWTPC Psych-Tone
MakerMade by
Southwest Technical Products Corporation
American, 1967 - 1990
Datec. 1973
Mediumbrass, metal, wire
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 4 1/2 × 10 3/8 × 7 5/8in. (11.4 × 26.4 × 19.4cm)
ClassificationsEquipment
Credit LineGift of Leonard DeMaio in honor of the first electronic music class in Connecticut
DescriptionSWTPC [Southwest Technical Products Corporation] Psych-Tone Composer-Synthesizer, a programmable melody synthesizer with 28 controls and a 63 note memory.
Product description from Southwest Technical Products Corporation Electronic Kits 1973 Catalog (p. 15): "A new and unusual approach to music synthesis. The sounds produced by the Psych-Tone are modern - to say the very least - and operation is simple.
Basically a 'psuedo random' sequence generator which operates as a tune computer, the Psych-Tone allows variation of the tempo, voicing, selection of pauses and tone shaping. The internal digital computer may be set for 1728 different 63 note sequences. These may be selected and combined with any of 63 pause combinations to produce 108,864 different melodic lines. These may be played at almost any tempo, pitch, or volume; backward or forward. Six different voices are provided and the user has full control of the attack, sustain and decay functions.
The wide flexibility of the controls makes possible sounds like a piano, violin, bagpipe, or something never heard before. On occasion, the music may sound familiar, but it is more likely to have science-fiction flavor with many wild tonal sequences.
The Psych-Tone has an internal monitor speaker, but preferably, it should be used with an external amplifier having reverb and tremolo to get the most exotic sounds."
Product description from Southwest Technical Products Corporation Electronic Kits 1973 Catalog (p. 15): "A new and unusual approach to music synthesis. The sounds produced by the Psych-Tone are modern - to say the very least - and operation is simple.
Basically a 'psuedo random' sequence generator which operates as a tune computer, the Psych-Tone allows variation of the tempo, voicing, selection of pauses and tone shaping. The internal digital computer may be set for 1728 different 63 note sequences. These may be selected and combined with any of 63 pause combinations to produce 108,864 different melodic lines. These may be played at almost any tempo, pitch, or volume; backward or forward. Six different voices are provided and the user has full control of the attack, sustain and decay functions.
The wide flexibility of the controls makes possible sounds like a piano, violin, bagpipe, or something never heard before. On occasion, the music may sound familiar, but it is more likely to have science-fiction flavor with many wild tonal sequences.
The Psych-Tone has an internal monitor speaker, but preferably, it should be used with an external amplifier having reverb and tremolo to get the most exotic sounds."
Object number2023.69.4
InscribedHandwritten in red marker on base: "Personal Prop. / of Leonard DeMaio / Weth. Conn."NotesSubject Note: The Pilot Electronic Project in Music Education program (Project PEP) was the first electronic music course for students in the United States. In 1967, the Connecticut State Department of Education sponsored the program. The program’s director was Lloyd Schmidt and the advisory committee consisted of musicians and composers including Milton B. Babbitt, Vladimir Ussachevsky, and Frank Cookson. The program’s first year was implemented at six public and private high schools across the state, including Enfield High School under the supervision of Leonard DeMaio. The objective of the program was to teach students a new understanding and appreciation of contemporary music through the use of tape recorders, tape splicers, sound-mixing devices, and electronic recordings. The goal was to encourage students’ imagination, creativity, and experimentation with modern electronic music. By 1970, participation in the program increased to 18 schools across the state and in 1974, 79 schools in Connecticut reported involvement in electronic music.On View
Not on view
Smith-Worthington Saddlery Company
