John Chowning, Computer Music, DX7 & FM Discovery

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*ABOUT THIS VIDEO*

It was an honor for me to interview John Chowning who is directly responsible for the way we create music today in every genre! His visionary ideas have profoundly shaped contemporary music creation, including the integration of computers, AI, digital synthesis, sound sharing, and surround sound.
He stands as a monumental figure in 21st-century music, renowned for his pioneering contributions as a composer, musician, and educator. As the founding director of the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA) at Stanford University, Chowning made groundbreaking strides in the field. His historic discovery of FM synthesis not only became one of Stanford’s most valuable patents but also paved the way for Yamaha’s DX7 synthesizer through their licensing of FM sound synthesis technology.
Another important aspect of Chowning's work is the simulated motion of sound through physical space creating an illusion of a continuous 360-degree space using only four speakers. John’s boundless curiosity and groundbreaking achievements have established him as a bright shining beacon of inspiration for musicians everywhere.

00:00 - Cold Open
00:42 - intro
02:27 - Read to Discovery
06:15 - Stanford & Early Electronic Music
14:26 - Discovering FM Synthesis
19:25 - The FM Enlightenment
23:14 - Yamaha DX7
31:09 - Synclavier VS Yamaha
36:02 - FM Made Simple
43:04 - The Power of Timbre
51:09 - Where are we now?

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*ABOUT ANTHONY*

Anthony's musical touch as both composer and performer is connected with some of the most influential creative minds over the last 40 years. He’s composed and conducted original orchestral scores for over 80 feature films including _*Young Guns*_ , _*Internal Affairs*_ , _*The Man From Elysian Fields*_ , _*15 Minutes*_ and _*Planes, Trains & Automobiles*_ , been commissioned by the *Los Angeles Philharmonic* for his symphonic work "In the Family Way", written over one thousand TV commercials in a myriad of musical styles, co-founded Levels Audio Post (LA's premiere post production facility) and performed and arranged on big-box-office films and influential hit records such as *Michael Jackson's* _*Thriller*_ .

His extensive work as a young arranger, orchestrator and performer for *Quincy Jones* , *Jack Nitzsche* , *Lamont Dozier* , *Arthur Rubenstein* and *Giorgio Moroder* was vital in launching his own career. His early years pioneering modular analog synthesizers along with his wide-ranging music scholarship positioned Anthony at the center of the music technology revolution. He attended the University of Southern California School of Music as a piano and composition major.

[ph]

John Chowning will turn 90 in two weeks. What a blessing to keep such a clear mind at such an advanced age. Best wishes for many more years to come. Thank you, mr. Marinelli, for this interview and for all you do.

[lriz]

This guy changed the world of music forever. Without FM, the music we heard in the past, and we still get to hear today, would have been so different in my opinion. It's really a fantastic opportunity that you got to interview Mr Chowning!

[deastman]

I’ve posted this a few times in various places, but I can’t resist sharing again. Dr. Chowning introduced me to computer music and launched my lifelong love of synthesis- literally, and in person. I grew up close to Stanford University, and one time my junior high school class took a field trip to CCRMA. This would have been around 1983-1984. John gave us a tour of the facilities and demonstrated the amazing capabilities of their music computer. I can recall hearing the sound of a trumpet which gradually morphed into a violin. And the sound of a train racing around the room, encircling us. I was utterly captivated, and have never ceased to be enthralled with the magic which synthesis brings.

[AreggerOrchestra]

Probably the best video about FM ever made! John Chowning is an absolute legend and a gentleman. More of this, Anthony!

[gtmartini]

It was such a pleasure and privilege to meet John Chowning at CCRMA some years ago - one of my heroes! And he is such a kind person! When I was around 15 years old I somehow convinced my parents to offer me a DX7 - I got totally obsessed with understanding how FM synthesis worked and I remember making my father drop me a full afternoon at the the YAMAHA dealer shop, during my school summer vacations, where I basically drove the shop synth tech/demo guy mad with all my obnoxious questions about how the DX7 sound programming worked! I later pursued Electrotechnical and Computer Engineering (because at the time there was no sound engineering degrees in Portugal) - at all the signal processing courses I took, all signals were sound signals for me (even when studying radar and radio frequency modulations, where I finally understood what FM was all about - and also understood why the poor YAMAHA shop tech guy struggled so much to explain how all that worked! ;-)). So meeting John was full circle for me! I'll never forget that day! What an inspiration!

[alphabeets]

It was beautiful to see Anthony almost break down into tears as he understands the profoundness of this discussion. ❤

[iixorb]

As a lifelong DX fan, this is gold for someone like me. 🙏 Anthony for getting the legend back on camera again, and thank you Dr Chowing (and Gary Leuenberger, Dave Bristow and Yamaha) for the DX7 ❤️

[petervandebeek]

This interview is probably more important then most will understand now. Thanks John, thanks Anthony, everybody else who is making this possible. This video may not be removed from YouTube/the internet for a long time.

[DasHemdchen]

That‘s one of the most intelligible interviews I‘ve heard in my whole life. My respect for Anthony Marinelli grew exponentially. He‘s so knowledgeable of history. Of course I‘m also amazed how John Chowning reveals his motivation and experiences to FM, which I adored in the incarnation of my first synthesizer, the Yamaha DX7.

[MAD]

This is content what the www was made for. So profound, so multilayered ranging from technical to nearly spiritual, it could not be done better. ❤

[TruthSurge]

This guy (John) is from a time we will never see ever again. When people cared.

[LevitskiSRGE]

I think this video will become historical! Thanks to everyone who was involved!

[boxfishing]

Love the production values, sound, editing, inserts. Anthony is a great interviewer, summarizing, adding context. Love how this channel is evolving. Keep it coming!

[Captivatebeats]

"Don't give up" sure hits harder coming from the 90 year old man who made it possible for me to make my favourite sounds. Incredible interview.

[moogfooger]

I was at NAMM when the DX7 was introduced in 1983. What an incredible experience. I got to go behind the scenes with the Yamaha rep and get a lesson in FM synthesis. The whole place was absolutly buzzing with anticipation. You know the thing I remember the most was that everyone was saying that the Fender Rhodes was now dead! The DX7 did such a good job of emulating the "Dyna My Rhodes" sound that the DX7 was the only keyboard you would ever need. The dawn of a new musical age. Thank you so much for bringing this info to a whole new generation of synthesists Anthony! Cheers

[davidlincolnbrooks]

Men in their 80s are the most fascinating minds on the planet. If you're a musician or artist of any stripe, be sure to befriend people in their 80's.

[serhiymarchenko]

Original DX7 was marvel of design & engineering and has its place in music even today. Very expressive & capable instrument. Thank you Dr. Chowning for your music passion! Being a 7yo kid and hearing DX7 for the first time was unforgettable and “out of this world” that turned me into music and sound design…

[ChainsawCoffee]

Edwin Armstrong invented FM for broadcast in 1933, and then John Chowning invented it for music in 1967. 34 years is a while for an idea to percolate, and I'm so glad that Chowning did all of that great work. It's also so interesting that his concept of FM is small clusters of oscillators, instead of a large group. Great interview! Loved his advice at the end, "Do it!"

[SRDhain]

That was fantastic. I also felt emotional at the end at the humility of both of you.

John's an exceptional human being, and his 'don't give up' mindset enabled the path to the DX series.

Thank you for uploading & sharing 🌅

[furiobisotti]

A huge thanks to Anthony. He is giving us culture and know-how. High value and completely free. Really incredible. And thanks to John too...