 At this point, Adams began to experiment with electronic music, and his experiences are reflected in the writing of "Phrygian Gates" (1977–78), in which the constant shifting between modules in Lydian mode and Phrygian mode refers to activating electronic gates rather than architectural ones.Adams explained that working with synthesizers caused a "diatonic conversion", a reversion to the belief that tonality was a force of nature.Some of Adams's compositions are an amalgamation of different styles.