The way forward

[Arpangel]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXSOJ0KDJJQ

This is it, definitely, this is how the future of mainstream synthesis should develop.
Not, with this particular machine, this is just the beginning, but I can imagine the potential this idea could have, in creating a living breathing "electro-acoustic" instrument, that will be fab able of real expression, plus having all the qualities we like about an acoustic instrument, but with all the possibilities that electronics can offer.
This is really a step forward, and something we should keep an eye on.

[BJG145]

The way backward, more like. With its acoustic resonators, it's like a pimped-up Weltmeister Bassett.

[N i g e l]

so, sofar, its like a Moog guitar with driver coils as well as pickup coils. The one where the strings could be dampened or sustained electronically. With the additional nuance of the driver frequency not being limited to fundemental.
All interesting and nodoubt "organic" sounding.

[Arpangel]

All interesting and nodoubt "organic" sounding.

Yes, makes a change from Moog Bass and lush (Hydrasynth) pads that we can all get from software. It’s about time we injected a bit of humanity into synthesisers.

[sonics]

It's not a synthesizer though, is it? It's an electro-mechanical instrument with control and feedback circuitry. Unless it's given an amazing control system I can't see it being more than a toy.

[Bob Bickerton]

This is all rubbish! Acoustic synthesis has been around for generations:



Bob

[shufflebeat]

Stereo nunchucks - lethal!

[Arpangel]

It's not a synthesizer though, is it? It's an electro-mechanical instrument with control and feedback circuitry. Unless it's given an amazing control system I can't see it being more than a toy.

Agreed, this is a toy, but it’s a start, I think we need to look at integrating acoustic ideas with electronics, not just as an ad-on.

[BWC]

I agree that it's time to put some humanity back in, but I don't think "acoustic" has much to do with it. I think we're on the right track with all the clever expressive controllers coming out. I can't wait for my Exquis to arrive.

...and that thing's NOT an "acoustic synthesizer".

[nathanscribe]

It's a bit like an electric piano, isn't it. But to capture all the nuances and retain that 'humanity' you'd want a very high quality digital music device like this https://micro.rohm.com/en/mus-ic/.

Which is lucky, because you know what they say: all Rhodes lead to Rohm.

[MarkOne]

It's a bit like an electric piano, isn't it. But to capture all the nuances and retain that 'humanity' you'd want a very high quality digital music device like this https://micro.rohm.com/en/mus-ic/.

Which is lucky, because you know what they say: all Rhodes lead to Rohm.

Urrgh!

[MarkOne]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXSOJ0KDJJQ

This is it, definitely, this is how the future of mainstream synthesis should develop.
Not, with this particular machine, this is just the beginning, but I can imagine the potential this idea could have, in creating a living breathing "electro-acoustic" instrument, that will be fab able of real expression, plus having all the qualities we like about an acoustic instrument, but with all the possibilities that electronics can offer.
This is really a step forward, and something we should keep an eye on.

I think it's an interesting set of experiments but I can't help but think it will remain pretty niche.

I can imagine these timbres being used in a lot of sound design applications and film music might make interesting uses of it.

But I can't see anyone strutting to centre stage and playing a spine tingling solo with it.

Mainstream? No, but I applaud the way they're developing something interesting.

[Arpangel]

It's a bit like an electric piano, isn't it. But to capture all the nuances and retain that 'humanity' you'd want a very high quality digital music device like this https://micro.rohm.com/en/mus-ic/.

Which is lucky, because you know what they say: all Rhodes lead to Rohm.

Any keyboard player that thinks he needs more than a Rhodes is missing the point.

[Arpangel]

OMG, it’s like a real Reaktor Steam Pipe!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsgKjQmGhKo

This is amazing, must check it out.

[BJG145]

The idea of adding in physical response is interesting...but I suspect that modelled physical response will be more versatile; I tend to agree with BWC that it's more about input parameters than output. Working on the Eviola focussed my attention on just how many variables are involved in bow technique...it's a lot. Putting some catgut in an electronic box with a few buttons wouldn't come close.

[Arpangel]

Putting some catgut in an electronic box with a few buttons wouldn't come close.

Put some catgut in the hands of a human being though? Do we really need the electronics?

[MarkOne]

Putting some catgut in an electronic box with a few buttons wouldn't come close.

Put some catgut in the hands of a human being though? Do we really need the electronics?

Depends what you are trying to achieve surely?

[Arpangel]

Putting some catgut in an electronic box with a few buttons wouldn't come close.

Put some catgut in the hands of a human being though? Do we really need the electronics?

Depends what you are trying to achieve surely?

As a user of electronics, I’ve always had a love hate relationship with it all, I think it’s much harder sometimes, to get good results from electronics than it is from an acoustic instrument. Simply because there are so many choices with electronics, and so much time is spent programming and experimenting with actual sounds. Half the skill is making up our minds what’s useful and what’s not, to us as individuals.