Converts?

popsicko · Joined: Nov 05, 2007 Posts: 59 Location: Los Angeles

Any converts here? Meaning anyone switch from computers to analog synths?
Is it all it's cracked up to be?
I think I might be romanticizing it a bit. I want to make records like the bands I loved as a kid made theirs. Not imitate the sound so much as the technique. I know that I'll never be able to record to tape as the price is so high these days, but I'll try to use my computer as a simple tape recorder. An advanced tape recorder.
In my mind I see myself hitting record. Tweaking the shit out of whatever synth I have. Then cutting and pasting for song structure. Maybe sampling my drum and percussion sounds and loading them into Battery.
I just don't enjoy making computer music any more.
I think that plug-ins are easy to mix . . . . generally speaking, and that using an analog beast will require more skill to mix. Cool! More to learn!
I'm also hoping that it'll help me commit to a track/take/song structure.
I like the idea of things being a little out of whack. . . timing, tuning. It gives it a sort of punk charm to me. I think it'll help me be more experimental in my sound creations and minimal in my composition focusing more on song structure and melody/rhythm/harmonies than how many soft synths I can pack into one track at a given time without exploding my CPU.
I just want to channel Vince Clark, Giorgio, Kraftwerk and such.
Am I nuts?
Maybe I'm making excuses for not writing music at the moment?
Maybe I'm hoping that this shiny new tweakbot with kick start my creativity?
Maybe I should go super minimal and see how much music I can make with a stick and my answering machine?
-b

EdisonRex · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 2:41 pm Post subject:

I have both.

My instruments range from raw analog to way digital, with 80s and 90s era sound pallette digitals thrown in. I don't see it as a this or that thing.

If your budget doesn't allow you to collect, and your muse makes you want to go analogue, well, you don't have to spend $20k on a Buchla, there are many options. I favour the gradual thing myself.

Try some small stuff, or DIY. See what works. See if you can make it work with your digital stuff.

EdisonRex · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 2:44 pm Post subject:

oh and, yeah, new kit does inspire, but usually there is some other writers block at work. I have gone through multi-year-long writers blocks only to write 15 compositions in a 3 month period. It happens. The kit can be the catalyst, but not always. I have bought kit and not got to creativity with it until I got in the mood for some other reason.

Just mentioning

popsicko · Joined: Nov 05, 2007 Posts: 59 Location: Los Angeles

I used to have a ton of gear but sold it all thinking lptops would be the way to go. Plus I was traveling a bunch. Also got rid of all my vinyl for my ipod which I NEVER USE!! I'm changing my middle name to regret.
I think I just want something tactile to play with. When I think about it I don't enjoy looking a t a computer screen and editing synths. I want to reach out and tweak a filter or pitch or attack on an envelope. I don't want to draw it in on as some sort of CC message. I don't think I'll be able to break away from soft synths completey as I love Battery and I'm sure I'll want to play a chord at some point without having to drop 20k!! ha ha ha!! Maybe a decent modular that I can expand on little by little, a poly/analog synth for some pads and textures, Battery, impOSCar, and my iMac for recording and effects. Logic has good FX and AudioDamage makes a few that I really like. There, a nice simple set-up.
I moved into a new space, which has me writing again. On paper not on synthesizers. Maybe a new synth will get me going. I'm still saving up some cash so I have a while before I can do any real damage
-b

Kwote · Joined: Jan 21, 2008 Posts: 48 Location: westcoast

i don't write music in the traditional sense. i'm very improvisational. i love experimenting and the modular totally lends it's hands to that.

you will find that the modular is a lot more than what you may think it to be. it is very open ended. the sound is great and intriguing. go from more simple melodic stuff to wild noises and everything inbetween.

think of modulars as great effects boxes too. that's originally why i got into em. to filter my turntable signal(i'm a dj). now it's my main and only synth as well as an awesome effects box. i don't even like analog guitar pedals anymore. i have a phaser, a ringmodulator and a nice filter which all lend their hand to awesome effects. the only pedal i have now is a spring reverb because i don't have a need for reverb to be anymore than just reverb.

but yeah the hands on thing is what keeps you hooked. no scrolling through menus. no virtual worlds with no connection to reality. you feel the pulse of the modular as you're tweaking the knobs and patching away.

the analog sound is a major major plus. but that connection with your gear, atleast for me, gives way to endless inspiration.

don't hesitate anymore and just get into it. you'll learn a lot more by experience then you will geeking out on here with us nerds.

morbius · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:44 pm Post subject:

Lots of musicians and producers are tired of 'sounds out of a box'... which is why the modular biz is doing so well. But each (hardware and software) have their own advantages and disadvantages. I just don't like composing or playing via mouse-n-screen. Give me knobs and faders.