Synthesizers 1896 – 2024: A Dataset and Exploratory Insights
Developer Iftah Gabbai has released Synthesizers 1896 – 2024: A Dataset and Exploratory Insights, a dataset of hardware synthesizers, samplers, and drum machines that’s available as an open source repo on Github.
“It aims to uncover trends and patterns in electronic music instrument design and evolution over the years. The dataset excludes modular systems such as Eurorack, Buchla modules, FracRack, and 4U formats, focusing instead on standalone devices.
The data has been compiled through a mix of automated and manual processes, combined with extensive research. It is intended to be a resource for researchers, musicians, and enthusiasts interested in exploring trends, patterns, and the history of synthesizers. The dataset is a work in progress and will be updated regularly with new releases and additional features.”
Gabbai shares some interesting insights from this data set in his video intro, embedded above. For example, he analyzes trends in polyphony and multitimbral support, noting how these peaked around the year 2000, reflecting industry trends and the recent resurgence of interest in analog synth designs.
