Between Air and Electricity: Microphones and Loudspeakers as Musical

In this review of Between Air and Electricity the reviewer finds a focused, academic exploration ideal for composers and sound artists curious about treating microphones and loudspeakers as playable devices. Cathy van Eck traces decades of practice and supplies a theoretical framework that explains why unconventional uses of transducers matter; the book's greatest strength is its clear linking of historical context, practical concert diagrams and interpretive analysis that helps practitioners adopt these techniques. This is a review for readers seeking rigorous ideas rather than a how-to playbook.

Key Features

• Historical context: The book situates experimental uses of microphones and loudspeakers within a century of technological and artistic development, clarifying how practices evolved over time.
• Theoretical framework: Van Eck proposes a new way to think about transducers as instruments, offering concepts that help composers reconceive sound reproduction devices.
• Practical diagrams: Detailed diagrams of concert and performance set-ups provide concrete reference for recreating or adapting experimental configurations.
• Case studies: The text documents artists who tweaked microphones, swung loudspeakers, or integrated speakers with audiences, illustrating a range of inventive techniques.
• Open access format: Being openly available makes the scholarship easy to consult and reference for students and researchers without cost barriers.

Who It's For

This book is for experimental composers, sound artists, music theorists and advanced students who want a rigorous account of how microphones and loudspeakers have been repurposed as instruments. Practitioners looking for conceptual grounding and documented examples will find actionable inspiration and interpretive language to support new work.

It is less suited to beginners seeking step-by-step tutorials or to listeners wanting a popular history; those audiences should look for practical manuals or broader surveys that prioritize technique over theory. Readers expecting exhaustive equipment specs will also find the emphasis remains interpretive and historical.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a clear theoretical framework that helps reconceptualize microphones and loudspeakers as instruments.
• Includes useful diagrams and concert set-ups that bridge theory and practice.
• Documents a wide range of experimental techniques, giving readers diverse examples to study and adapt.

Cons

• The book is interpretive rather than a technical manual, so it contains limited step-by-step guidance for novices.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Between Air and Electricity is a valuable, well-documented resource for artists and scholars interested in experimental sound practices; its combination of history, case studies and diagrams offers durable conceptual tools that justify consulting the work for creative projects. Those seeking practical, beginner-friendly tutorials should supplement it with hands-on guides, but for theory-driven practitioners this book is excellent value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book practical for building speaker-based instruments?
It provides diagrams and documented examples useful for design inspiration, but it is primarily interpretive rather than a step-by-step construction manual.

Who is the author?
The author is Cathy van Eck who frames historical and contemporary practices into a coherent theoretical approach.

Is the book freely available?
Yes; the work is published as an open access book, making it easy to read and reference without purchase.