How a joke sound defined 90s rave

Summary

The video explores the evolution of the iconic 'Hoover' sound in electronic music, tracing its roots back to the 1982 Roland Juno-60 synthesizer. The sound, originally a joke preset created by Eric Persing, gained prominence in the early 90s through tracks like 'Mentors' and 'Dominator.' Despite the Juno's initial failure, it found a niche in the underground music scene, eventually defining the European rave movement. The Hoover sound, named by the UK, became a hallmark of 90s techno and is still influential today, showcasing how a simple synthesizer preset became a cultural and musical phenomenon.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Netherlands is renowned for its flowers, windmills, cheese, fine arts, and its national anthem, which reflects its rich cultural heritage.
• 😀 The 'Hoover' sound, which became iconic in European rave music, has its origins in a 1982 synthesizer, the Roland Juno 60, developed in Japan.
• 😀 Roland's Juno 60 was a relatively affordable, analog synthesizer that featured preset memory, which was a groundbreaking feature at the time.
• 😀 Roland's engineers were known for creating quirky and humorous animal sound presets, which were initially included in many of their synthesizers.
• 😀 Eric Persing, a legendary sound designer, was tasked with improving Roland's preset sounds, removing the animal noises and creating professional presets.
• 😀 The Roland Alpha Juno synthesizer, introduced in the mid-80s, was a modernized version of the Juno 60, aimed at competing with the Yamaha DX7.
• 😀 Persing, as a joke, created a unique sound preset called 'What the?' on the Alpha Juno, which would eventually evolve into the iconic 'Hoover' sound.
• 😀 Despite its initial lack of commercial success, the Alpha Juno's sound was eventually embraced by emerging electronic music producers in the '90s.
• 😀 The Hoover sound was popularized in 1991 by the track 'Mentors' by Joy Beltrum and Mundo Musicique, released under the name Second Phase, which was later adopted in Europe by artists like Human Resource.
• 😀 The Hoover sound was coined by the UK and became synonymous with rave music, leading to the emergence of sub-genres like hardcore, breakbeat hardcore, and trance during the '90s rave scene.

Q & A

What is the Hoover sound in electronic music?

The Hoover sound refers to a specific synthesizer sound that became popular in 1990s rave music, characterized by its aggressive, buzzing, and modulated tone, often created using the Roland Alpha Juno synthesizer. The sound is called 'Hoover' due to its resemblance to the noise made by a vacuum cleaner.

How did the Hoover sound originate?

The Hoover sound originated as a preset in the Roland Alpha Juno synthesizer, specifically preset 'B86', which was designed as a joke by sound designer Eric Persing in the mid-80s. It was then rediscovered by early electronic music producers in the '90s and became iconic in rave music.

Who is Eric Persing, and what role did he play in the development of the Hoover sound?

Eric Persing is a legendary sound designer who worked for Roland. He created the Hoover sound as a joke while designing presets for the Alpha Juno synthesizer. Though initially a joke, the sound became iconic in rave culture and helped define the '90s rave music sound.

What was the significance of the Alpha Juno synthesizer in the development of the Hoover sound?

The Alpha Juno synthesizer was unique in its ability to create the Hoover sound due to its specific oscillators and modulation capabilities. Its affordability also meant that many aspiring music producers could afford it, allowing the Hoover sound to spread and become a cornerstone of rave music in the '90s.

What is the historical background of the Juno synthesizers?

The Juno synthesizers, first released in the early 80s by Roland, were analog polyphonic synthesizers known for their relatively affordable price, ease of use, and preset memory. The Juno 60, in particular, became famous for its warm sound, and later models, like the Alpha Juno, incorporated digital elements to compete with the new Yamaha DX7 synthesizer.

What role did the track 'Mentor' by Second Phase play in the spread of the Hoover sound?

The track 'Mentor' by Second Phase, released in 1991, featured the Hoover sound and helped popularize it in the European rave scene. The track, released by the Belgian label RNS, was a pivotal moment in the emergence of the distinctive '90s rave sound.

How did the Hoover sound get its name?

The Hoover sound was named by UK producers who likened the aggressive, buzzing noise to that of a vacuum cleaner, which in the UK is often referred to as a 'Hoover.' The name stuck, and the sound became a defining feature of '90s rave and hardcore music.

Why did Roland not immediately realize they were the creators of the Hoover sound?

When Roland received feedback from European customers about the 'Hoover sound' in the 90s, Eric Persing, who had designed the sound, did not initially recognize it as his creation. He was unfamiliar with the term 'Hoover' and was surprised to discover that his joke preset had become a major part of rave culture.

How did the Hoover sound influence later electronic music styles?

The Hoover sound influenced a variety of '90s rave subgenres, including hardcore, trance, and breakbeat. It helped shape the aggressive and energetic tone that became a hallmark of European rave music, and later, it evolved into related sounds like the 'super saw' in trance and EDM.

What makes the Hoover sound distinct compared to other electronic music sounds?

The Hoover sound is distinct due to its complex and modulated characteristics, often achieved through a blend of oscillators and pitch modulation. It also has a gritty, somewhat lo-fi quality when sampled and played back on early samplers, which adds to its raw, aggressive sound.