Tod Dockstader was an influential American composer and sound designer born on May 20, 1932, and a key figure in the field of electronic music and musique concrète. Despite lacking formal musical training, Dockstader's fascination with the manipulation of sound led him to craft a world of auditory experience that was leagues ahead of his contemporaries. He began his career in the era of tape music, initially working as a film editor and sound effects technician, which greatly influenced his approach to sound exploration and manipulation.

Over the course of his career, Dockstader released a number of significant works that showcased his unique approach to electronic music, blurring the lines between the avant-garde and accessible soundscapes. Notable releases like "Quatermass" (1964), "Eight Electronic Pieces" (1961), which was later used in the soundtrack of Federico Fellini's film "Satyricon," and the "Aerial" series ("Aerial #1," "Aerial #2," and "Aerial #3") reflected his adeptness at creating immersive sonic worlds. Following a period of relative obscurity, Dockstader made a triumphant return to the electronic music scene with his later works including "Apocalypse" and "From the Archives," solidifying his place as a pioneering spirit in the field of electroacoustic music. Dockstader passed away on February 27, 2015, but his experimental legacy continues to resonate and inspire new generations of electronic musicians and sound artists.