From N. Kent Sent Mon, Feb 15th 1999, 05:20
From N. Kent Sent Mon, Feb 15th 1999, 05:20
> >>There is no such thing as an "unlimited" synth. All have limitations, some > >>just more or less than others. And limitations are very subjective. (it's > >>not what you have, it's what you do with it, etc..) > > xxxx.xxxxxx@xxxxx.xx writes: > <<Very true. If there would be no limitations, it would not be a musical > instrument. It would be.. everything. >> > > That's not quite true. A modular synth allows unlimited patches and sounds. ummm. I think Marc knows what he's talking here, he builds modulars. > The number of modules in it are limited only by how much you want to spend. can't argue here! > Virtually any sound you can and can't imagine is available. That sounds like an oft used sales pitch! You short out your arguement by mentioning the Wendy Carlos Secrets of Synthesis album. At a certain point she decided she just wasn't getting the sounds/control she wanted with the Moog Modular and went GDS and Synergy (digital non modular). She even explains why with examples. We don't hear her using a Doepfer. You could spend > many lifetimes but you would never be able to create all the sounds it's > capable of. sure, though it will never be able to make many hypothetical sounds just because a modular can't be infinitely large. (and is there a point, weither you can or not, to making 100+ OSC, 100+EG, 100+VCA systems to imatate monophonic Kawai K5000s just to drop one hypothetical combo). You'd sort of need the whole world built into your modular to make the unlimited sounds of the world. It is because of that, that you don't have to compromise when > creating sounds. quite true that you don't have to compromise with fixed routings, undoubtedly an advantage. But there are definite limits. Doepfer for one has many parameters without CV inputs. On a more hypothetical line of thought, your knobs don't always go from zero to infinity, especially in the maximum range, they don't output enough voltage to get those Barons Forbidden Planet sounds of circuity dying ;) that makes them limited. Once you go modular, it is hard to go back. I've got modulars, I love them, but I sure can go back. Think big chords with long sustains. Some people use them :) > I am finishing > up a multi-track recording I did using only my Doepfer modular (plus a couple > of effects). There are a bunch of sounds in it I won't be able to do on > prepatched synth. true But when I had a sound in mind that I wanted to create, I > had no problem on the Deopfer because I wasn't restrained by limitations. though please understand that to some there are piles of limitations. You get unfixed archetecture and ability to expand with modulars but you don't get everything out there. Sure you can use a modular live, but not like a poly with memories unless its mighty mighty large. > As for the original question, a couple of records (CDs?) that are interesting > if they can still be found are "The Secrets of Synthesis" by Wendy Carlos, and > "Sound Creature" by Tomita (All notes are in Japanese though). the Japan-only Tomita one went out of print in the early 80s. The Carlos one can still be found, though perhaps not forever. Don't forget the really ancient and out of print Beaver and Krause "Nonesuch Guide to Electronic Music" "As time goes on, the triangular wave will undoubtedly become more and more important as the composer of electronic music seeks out interesting new timbres" (from the Nonesuch Guide) nick kent