John Chowning - Stria (1977)

In episode 32 of Talk to the Chip, professors Elif Yalvaç and Jono Podmore discuss John Chowning's Stria, an early piece pioneering FM synthesis which went on to change the sound of popular music.

Links to references in the podcast

https://murmureintemporel1.bandcamp.com/track/john-chowning-stria-1977

https://thehistoryofelectroacousticmusic.bandcamp.com/album/history-of-electronic-electroacoustic-music-1937-2001-62

https://www.discogs.com/release/31024141-John-Chowning-Stria

https://ccrma.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/user/jc/notes_imprec_recording.pdf

https://ccrma.stanford.edu/~jos/sasp/Frequency_Modulation_FM_Synthesis.html

DX7 presets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3rrjQtQe5A

IRCAM analysis of Stria (the definitive one):

http://brahms.ircam.fr/analyses/Stria/

Laura Zattra's blog on Stria — fascinating story of the piece's multiple versions:

https://laurazattra.com/2016/09/23/stria-by-john-chowning-the-ultimate-analysis/

Sound on Sound interview — very readable:

https://www.soundonsound.com/people/john-chowning

CCRMA official page:

https://ccrma.stanford.edu/people/john-chowning

McGee analysis PDF — good on the FM/golden ratio relationship:

https://lifeorange.com/writing/ChowningAnalysis_McGee.pdf

Dexed fm synthesis plugin:

https://asb2m10.github.io/dexed/

https://peninsulapress.com/2022/06/14/computer-music-in-silicon-valley-owes-large-debt-to-john-chowning/

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/oct/09/john-chowning-godfather-of-digital-pop-my-wife-told-me-i-didnt-think-id-have-to-compete-with-a-computer