Histories of Electronic Musical Instruments

A Routledge/Focal Press Series

Series Editor: Prof. James Newman, Bath Spa University, UK.

Proposals are sought for books to be included in the series, including authored monographs and edited collections. This is an ongoing, open call for projects and we welcome proposals from prospective authors year-round.

The goal of Histories of Electronic Musical Instruments is to cut through the hype, hyperbole, mythologies and misinformation associated with electronic musical instruments. Books in the series will offer authoritative and accessible histories of the design, operation and creative uses of seminal instruments.

From the Prophet-5, LinnDrum and Yamaha DX7 to Serum, Massive and the SID chip, we are seeking proposals that offer insights into how key electronic musical instruments were designed and marketed and subsequently used, adapted and reimagined by generations of musicians, producers and DJs. In addition to exploring their histories, authors should look to consider how the original instruments interact with modern clones and emulations in hardware and software and, ultimately, consider what the musical and cultural meanings of these instruments are today.

There are two proposed formats for titles in the series:

1. Shorter-form publications focused on the histories and influences of single specific instruments (35,000 – 45,000 words)
2. Full-length book projects exploring ‘families’ of related instruments (60,000 – 90,000 words)

Proposals for these projects may be authored monographs as well as edited collections.

Examples of specific instruments which might be considered include, but are not limited to:

• Sequential Circuits Prophet-5
• Moog Modular System
• Linn Electronics LinnDrum
• Roland Jupiter-8
• Roland D-50
• Korg MS-20
• Korg M1
• EMS VCS3
• ARP 2600
• PPG Wave
• New England Digital Synclavier
• Casio CZ-101
• Yamaha CS-80

Examples of ‘families’ of instruments which might be considered include, but are not limited to:

• Yamaha DX series of FM keyboards and sound modules
• E-mu Emulator sampling keyboards and modules
• Casio CZ range of Phase Distortion synthesizers
• Akai MPC music production workstations

The Editorial team behind the series particularly welcomes proposals touching on the following areas:

• Game or console-based instruments
• Issues around the ongoing maintenance and repair of electronic musical instruments
• The cloning and emulation of electronic musical instruments

Queries and proposals can be directed to the series editor James Newman (j.newman[at]bathspa.ac[dot]uk) and Routledge Senior Commissioning Editor Hannah Barnes-Rowe (hannah.rowe[at]tandf.co[dot]uk).