Acousmatic (music)

The term acousmatic was adopted by French composer and musician Pierre Schaeffer, derived from the Greek word akousma/akousmatikoi, meaning “hearing” or “thing heard.” The term mainly applies to electronic music, where the sound sources are loudspeakers instead of musicians or their instruments. Initially, much of the music was created using tape loops and the manipulation of prerecorded material. Today, it relies heavily on computers, sequencers, synthesizers and advanced controllers. (See acousmatic sound).