Inside this week’s episode, Isobel examines the fascinating process of sound synthesis, including what it is, how it was developed, the women who have played a vital role in this technology and then, lastly, how you can start incorporating it into your own music too.
Isobel also highlights two contemporary female artists doing interesting things with sound synthesis right now, and all of the music mentioned in this episode of the podcast will be added to our fab new Girls Twiddling Knobs playlist too!
Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{03:40} What is Sound Synthesis?
{09:11} How/When Did Sound Synthesis Start?
{12:05} Female pioneers of Sound Synthesis
{14:04} Contemporary Women Making Music with Synths
{15:27} New developments in Sound Synthesis
{17:33} Best Ways to Start Using Sound Synthesis in your Music
{20:33} Episode Summary
Listen to the Girls Twiddling Knobs Playlist on Spotify >>
A helpful summary of audio synthesis >>
Read more about the beginnings of Sound Synthesis >>
Read more about the female pioneers of electronic music >>
Watch the Sisters with Transistors Documentary >>
Watch the Delia Derbyshire docu-drama The Myths and Legendary Tapes >>
Find out more about Daphne Oram >>
Find out more about Delia Derbyshire >>
Find out more about Suzanne Ciani >>
Find out more about Laurie Spiegel >>
Listen to Episode 22 of Girls Twiddling Knobs with Hannah Peel >>
Listen to Episode 34 of Girls Twiddling Knobs with Melody Loveless >>
Listen to Georgia’s album
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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.
Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026.
We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.
Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Explore more episodes here.
Listen on Spotify.
