Electrophone

A category of musical instrument defined by the Harvard Dictionary of Music to extend the categories established by ethnomusicologists Erich Hornbostel and Curt Sachs. From the Greek -phone (sound or voice) and New Latin electricus- (electric)

Electrophones are a relatively new category of musical instrument that produce sound through the use of electronic devices. This usually utilizes a loudspeaker and often electronics like DSPs and DACs. Electrophones usually are some form of synthesizer, but may also include electric guitars (which may also be a chordophone).

See Also: membranophone, chordophone, aerophone, idiophone.

E*lec"tro*phone (?), n. [Electro- + Gr. sound.] Physics

An instrument for producing sound by means of electric currents.

© Webster 1913.