Magpel Posted July 9, 2001 Share Posted July 9, 2001 This question is an offshoot of the current Van Halen discussion and the discussion of some of the synth sounds that Rod used in his compilation contribution, which reminded me of the "Jump" synth, a sound I have never realy fancied. Question for general discussion: how well do synth sounds age? Before getting a bit into programming myself and discovering this amazing forum, I always felt that "nothing ages as quickly as the new." And that, because synths are or were all about being new, evolving much faster than, say, the tone of a grand piano (or even the techniques of miking a grand piano), I would have said that nothing can date a piece of pop music more certifiably than the synth sounds on it. When change is constant, particular sounds and technoligies are burned like a brand into a specific era. Now, having witnessed the intense scholarship of synth history present here, and the abilility of many of you to discriminate and discern so finely, and the analog/retro rage, I have to change my opinion. Maybe synthesizers have reached a point in their evlution where constant novelty is no longer the stanard but musicality, usability, and tonal depth and richness are what counts (witness Andromeda). I'd be very interested to hear what you think. John, aka Magpel Check out the Sweet Clementines CD at bandcamp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raymar Posted July 10, 2001 Share Posted July 10, 2001 Synth sounds age and some age well. They now have a nice long history you can borrow from and modify. They're also good for both creating literaly any sound past, present and future individually and in myriads of combinations. The only limit is your imagination. You shouldn't chase after the past or pin your hopes on the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_3guy Posted July 10, 2001 Share Posted July 10, 2001 Music styles are trendy. Just witness the fast singing of lyrics style of Destiny's Child, Jennifer Lopez, etc. It seemed like one of them did, got a big hit, then they're all doing it. Synth sounds are the same. Manufacturers make something that has sounds of a certain way, then they all do it. Keyboard players, engineers, record producers, influence it like Play this chord structure & I want to hear a sound something like this. Fashion design the same, car styling, etc. etc. etc. A style that was & still is making me nuts is that Mariah Carrey thing od making every song sound like she's putting on a singing clinic. Christine Agliera??? does it to the max. Everyone started doing it. As Pink says - It makes me sick. Steve www.seagullphotodesign.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyote Posted July 10, 2001 Share Posted July 10, 2001 I think it's all about your own ears... some current synths sound 'cheesy' to me, while others find them wonderful (the AN1x comes to mind). Same goes for the older stuff. As for 'Jump' - I think VH chose a pretty good sound, though I wouldn't mind if I never heard that song again http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist. This ain't no track meet; this is football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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