A modular synthesizer commonly seen in logos and idents throughout the 70's and 80's. It is capable of performing a variety of sounds that vary from deep bass sounds to futuristic, otherworldly tones, as well as oscillating, modulating, and highly manipulable sounds.
AVID:Identifying Audio Elements
From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum
Identifying Audio Elements
This page serves as a guide to identifying musical instruments, sounds, and techniques found in various audiovisual identities.
Musical instruments
Moog synthesizer
Sitar
A plucked string instrument used in classical Indian music, identifiable through its production of a complex, twangy timbre.
Tampura
A long-necked string instrument from India that is used to provide a continuous drone in traditional Indian music. The instrument is usually heard playing for the majority or entirety of the identity sequence.
Swarmandal
An Indian string instrument similar to the harp or zither consisting of a set of strings that are plucked or strummed with the fingers. The instrument can be identified through a harmonious drone or a continuous sound (usually at a high pitch in most Indian logos).
Vibraphone
A percussion instrument consisting of metal bars arranged like a keyboard and equipped with resonators beneath each bar. The notes would leave a tremolo (trembling) or vibrato (vibrating) effect when performed.
Musical techniques
Arpeggio
The notes of a chord are played in sequence, rather than simultaneously. It involves playing the individual notes of a chord one after the other, creating a flowing sound in a continuous ascending or descending order.
Blip
A repetitive sound, usually performed by an electronic device.
Crescendo
A gradual increase in loudness.
Cymbal choke
A drum stroke performed on a cymbal that is used to abruptly silence the instrument's sound.
Drone
Droning involves continuously sustaining a single or a few notes for an extended period of time.
Glissando
A continuous sliding or gliding effect between musical notes.
Legato
A technique where musical notes are continuous, leaving no silence in between notes.
Oscillation
A sound that repeatedly swings back and forth from one pitch to another.
Pizzicato
A short sound emitted from string instruments where the strings are plucked with the fingers instead of being bowed.
Shrill
A sharp, high-pitched piercing note.
Staccato
Notes are played in a short duration, leaving a small gap in silence in between notes.
Sting
A short musical phrase or sound often used to emphasize a moment's tone.
Strum
A sweeping movement of the fingers or a pick across the strings of a musical instrument, producing a series of quick, rhythmic sounds.
Warbling
The process of rapidly and repeatedly varying the pitch of a note, creating a wavering or quavering effect in the sound.
Whirring
A low and continuous sound, notably a soft swish or buzz with a mechanical effect.
