(idm) Why DSP bugs me sometimes.

From David O
Sent Tue, Aug 10th 1999, 20:24

I am no purist. I love chiastic slide, and it's full of dsp type stuff.....
but I hate the twitchy stuff in between all Ae's lp5 tracks, and the 
pointless secret track on Ep7. It's not a song or even a coherent recording.
I love noise but not structureless atonality. I can press record on GranuLab
and fool with the parameters for awhile, and produce a 10-minute noise
opus that sounds just like Ae. Believe me, once you hear what granular
synthesis sounds like you'll probably recognize how much Autechre has 
been overusing it. 

want a WAV? email me

The problem is structure. Since most DSP algorithms at their extremes
tend toward white noise (i.e. random signal) excessive DSP can obliterate
structure and timbre and just produce junk. Anyone who's used Buzz will 
recognize the sound of the "FXor" plugin (or a vst equivalent): Anything you
play into it makes exactly the same sound coming out. 

Good DSP alters sounds, makes new and interesting sounds, and can produce
otherworldly timbres (i.e. chiastic slide.) The key is structure and restraint. 

Note: dsp is just an example. I am not arguing against digital technology in any form;
that debate is over anyway. The interaction between music and technology is what produced
this kind of music in the first place.