It’s a Synth!
Space Age Gear Comes Down to Earth
Synthesizers may still seem like the newest way to make music, but in truth the drum kit and electric guitar are younger. This class of instruments and accessories got its start with Illinois inventor Elisha Gray’s musical telegraph, first demonstrated in 1874. There are now synth guitars, drums, wind instruments, and keyboards all perfect for Internet collaboration projects like those described in “Wired for Sound” on page 28.
Gray’s instrument electromagnetically generated musical tones that were controlled by a keyboard, transmitted by wire, and, in later models, amplified with a speaker. That’s a good definition of what’s called an “analog synthesizer.” Electric organs, such as classic Hammonds and Rhodes, are essentially analog synthesizers, because their tones are also produced electromagnetically, in ways similar to Gray’s invention.
But the name that will always be associated with synthesizers is Moog. Dr. Robert Moog introduced his first model in 1964. A little later he created a machine that was easy to set up and intuitive to play. Compact, yet covered in knobs and buttons, it caught on immediately, and the spirit of the MiniMoog lies behind many of the synths, modelers, and controllers produced for amateur musicians today.
Interestingly enough, it wasn’t The Beatles (who used a synth called a Mellotron on the song “Strawberry Fields Forever”) or The Beach Boys (who played a Tannerin on “Good Vibrations”) who were the first ’60s rock group to record with a Moog. It was The Monkees, who introduced the instrument on the song “Daily Nightly” from their 1967 album Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.
Today’s synthesizers create and transmit tones using digital electronics and computer technology. Although professional level synthesizers by Roland, Moog, Korg, and Yamaha are complex machines that take a long time to master, these manufacturers also make instruments that novices can play. Besides, synth technology is ubiquitous. If you own a keyboard or other instrument that boasts MIDI (the musical language of computers), then you already have a synth!
Roland SH-201
For musicians new to synthesizers, Roland announces the most friendly and fun instrument on the market: the SH-201. Featuring “supersaw waveform” tone generation, a resonant filter, saturation control, and more, the SH-201 is great-sounding analog-modeling synth. The Ultra-EZ front panel is logically designed to teach the basics of synthesis, and external input can be used for manipulating external audio from CD/MP3 players, and an arpeggiator adds instant rhythmic motion to sounds. A USB port allows for audio/MIDI connection to computer and VSTi Editor software is included for computer integration.
For further information, visit www.roland.com
Etherwave
The Theremin is one of the oldest electronic instruments (introduced in 1919), and the only one you play without touching: moving your hands in the space around its antennas controls pitch and volume. The Etherwave is an authentic and affordable adaptation of Russian inventor Leon Theremin’s original design. It includes a five-octave pitch range and reliable spacing between notes for sophisticated playability. The antennas are nickel-plated 3/8-inch brass tubes and the cabinets are furniture-grade hardwood, finished black. The Etherwave is fitted with an adapter for mounting on a standard microphone stand and can be used with any amplifier.
For further information, visit www.moogmusic.com
Akai EWI4000S
The Akai EWI4000S is a giant leap in the evolution of wind instruments. Sound is generated by an analog modeling synthesizer, and the built–in sound module, an industry first, lets musicians plug a wireless MIDI or audio set up into the base of the EWI, and move freely. Breath, vibrato, glide time, and bend width controls are easily accessible and totally adjustable. Plus, the included software lets both Windows and Mac users edit, customize, store, and recall sounds with their computer.
For further information, visit www.akaipro.com
Korg AX3G
Do you want a studio’s worth of great guitar amps, cabinets, modulation, and delay/reverb effects and more? The Korg AX3G multieffect processor is an on-the-floor, foot-switchable guitar processor containing an array of 57 realistic effect types powered by Korg’s proprietary REMS modeling technology. The Korg AX3G multieffect processor is easy to use and delivers sound quality that will satisfy beginners and experienced musicians alike. Plus, it will fit comfortably into the pocket of a gig bag and runs on batteries.
For further information, visit www.korg.com
HandSonic 10
The e-percussion revolution expands with the HandSonic 10. A more affordable and streamlined HandSonic model, the HandSonic 10 offers remarkable, pressure-sensing pad response to access around 400 percussion sounds and special effects. Other features include a large icon-driven LCD, a D Beam controller for sound/pitch/effects control, a new metronome function with backing rhythm patterns, 20 multieffects, and a Rhythm Coach.
For further information, visit www.roland.com
Variax
Variax is the world’s first modeling guitar, offering the sounds of an entire guitar collection in a single instrument. A real, strung guitar, all of the sounds available in Variax start with actual string vibrations. A patented modeling process then shapes raw string signals to replicate the sounds of several modeled instruments. Now one guitar can produce tones associated with Fender Telecasters and Gibson Les Pauls, as well as resonator guitars, banjos, and even sitars.
For further information, visit www.line6.com
