John Chowning is an American composer and researcher from Salem, New Jersey, renowned for his pioneering work in digital sound synthesis. He is best known for discovering frequency modulation (FM) synthesis, a breakthrough that revolutionised electronic music. Chowning's research led to the development of the Yamaha DX7, one of the best-selling synthesizers of all time. His compositions, such as Stria (1977), showcase the creative potential of FM synthesis. Chowning has taught at Stanford University and has influenced countless musicians and composers with his innovative contributions to the field of music technology.
