Sound object

Term in electronic music theory In musique concrete and electronic music theory the term sound object (originally l'objet sonore) is used to refer to a primary unit of sonic material and often specifically refers to recorded sound rather than written music using manuscript or a score. It was coined by Pierre Schaeffer in his publication Traité des objets musicaux (1966). Definitions Pierre Schaeffer According to Schaeffer: This unit of sound [sound-object] is the equivalent to a unit of breath or articulation, a unit of instrumental gesture. The sound object is therefore an acoustic action and intention of listening. Schaeffer believed that the sound object should be free from its sonic origin (its sound source, or source bonding) so that a listener could not identify it, what he termed as acousmatic listening. Schaeffer's four functions of the "What Can be Heard" include: 1. A sonic entity is detected by its signal being picked up by the autonomous mechanism of hearing (ouïr) 2. The signalled sonic entity (having been detected) 'sound character' is deciphered by the active perception of listening (écouter) 3. The signalled sonic entity is then subjected to a twofold focused att