Layering
A compositional approach in which different sound textures are placed alongside one another. It allows the listener to compare and contrast one sound texture against another, and for the composer…
LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator)
A sound wave that has a low frequency (usually below the range of human hearing) but which can be used to manipulate sound within the range of human hearing. LFO’s…
Limiter
a manipulation which prevents the amplitude of an audio signal exceeding a chosen dynamic level. This can be useful in reducing dynamic range without causing clipping. These are often used…
Listening
Attention focused upon sounds. On this website you will come across a few different types of listening: Contextual Listening, Heightened Listening, Passive Listening and Musical Listening. Pierre Schaeffer was the…
Live Electronics
live performance with electronic instrument devices that can be controlled in real time. Live electronics performances might involve a fixed (non-real time) element and/or a part for traditional orchestral instruments…
Loop
To loop a sound is to continuously repeat it. Pierre Schaeffer used looping to draw the listener’s focus away from the source of the sound, and towards the rhythm and…
Loudness
The relative volume of a sound, ranging from loud to quiet. Loudness can be scientifically defined in terms of amplitude, BUT it is in fact a relative property of sound.…
Loudspeaker
A loudspeaker is a device designed to reproduce sounds. It takes an electrical signal and coverts it in to sound wave vibrations in the air. The loudspeaker does this through…
Loudspeaker Orchestra
a tool for presenting electroacoustic music that is composed within the studio. Loudspeakers take the place of musicians upon the stage and around the auditorium, with the performer/composer sat at…
Low-pass Filter
A low-pass filter lets the bass tones through (the low frequencies) and removes the treble (high frequencies). The separation between low and high frequencies is called the cut-off frequency. If…
lowercase sound
a style of music and sound works that focus upon quiet, small, or commonly ‘overlooked’ sounds. Lowercase artists are most interested in listening as a creative act, and seek to…
Luigi Russolo
He was a member of a group of Italian artists call the ‘Futurists’. They wanted to inspire people to make music that reflected the new industrial world of big ships,…
