John Chowning, Mark Verbos, and Dave Smith at NAMM

Thought this was a great shot.

via @SequentialLLC:

"Synth Legends! Thanks to John Chowning and Mark Verbos for visiting the @sequentialLLC room! #prophetx #prophetxl #namm2019"

John Chowning is the man who invented/discovered FM synthesis in 1967 at Stanford University.

via Wikipedia:

"Chowning is known for having discovered the FM synthesis algorithm in 1967 (Johnstone 1994; Schottstaedt 0000; Chowning 1973). In FM (frequency modulation) synthesis, both the carrier frequency and the modulation frequency are within the audio band. In essence, the amplitude and frequency of one waveform modulates the frequency of another waveform producing a resultant waveform that can be periodic or non-periodic depending upon the ratio of the two frequencies.

Chowning's breakthrough allowed for simple—in terms of process—yet rich sounding timbres, which synthesized 'metal striking' or 'bell like' sounds, and which seemed incredibly similar to real percussion. (Chowning was also a skilled percussionist.) He spent six years turning his breakthrough into a system of musical importance and eventually was able to simulate a large number of musical sounds, including the singing voice. In 1974 Stanford University licensed the discovery to Yamaha in Japan (Mattis 2001), with whom Chowning worked in developing a family of synthesizers and electronic organs. This patent was Stanford's most lucrative patent at one time[citation needed], eclipsing many in electronics, computer science, and biotechnology."