Pan Sonic (originally called Panasonic) is a Finnish experimental electronic music duo consisting of Mika Vainio and Ilpo Väisänen.\r Formed in 1993 as a techno group, with extra member Sami Salo (who later left the group), they moved to operate from a base in Barcelona to escape the long Finnish winters. At the moment Mika Vainio lives in Berlin, with Ilpo Väisänen having returned to Kuopio. Their first 12" was released on Finland's Sähkö Recordings.\r Originally, the band was called Panasonic, but the corporation of the same name threatened legal action unless it was changed. The conflict was resolved, and the duo removed the "a" from their name to become "Pan Sonic". The missing "a" lives on as the title of their 1999 album.\r In December 2009 their split was announced on PhinnWeb - Mika and Ilpo will continue with their own solo projects, though further Vainio/Väisänen collaborations in the future can't be ruled out.