Re: Synths considered harmful (was Re: Using the Wind Synth tocontrol the Repeater)

[sine@zerocrossing.net]

As a guitar synth guy I have to totally disagree.  Why would looping synths
be bad?  Why would any instrument or sound be bad?  Why should I care if
someone says, "Oh, a synthesizer"?  I notice when I'm among a bunch of
musicians they probably think as you do.  In the rest of the world, I find
that people could care less.  They either like what they're hearing, or 
they
don't.

Bill Walker is another guitar synth guy that loops his GR-30 sounds.  I 
love
his music.  Andre Lafosse loops the dry output of his Steinberger and goes
directly into a small tube amp.  I love his music.  Why would one judge
either's process?

I'll also counter your statement about synths winning out over loopers for
sonic manipulation.  Are loopers for sonic manipulation?  I thought they 
were
to loop audio.  It goes back to my "Looper as processor (not effect)"
thread.  Some choose to process their audio with a looper, like Andre, 
while
people like me tend to process their audio first then loop it rather 
simply.

Is there a better way?  Not in my opinion.

Mark Sottilaro

Mark Hamburg wrote:

> I'm going to try out a proposition here. I wouldn't say I actually 
>believe
> it, but it's a mildly provocative thought and lord knows this list needs
> provocation.
>
> Synths are bad for looping.
>
> Why?
>
> As anyone who has been to a loopfest will report, odd noises and sonic
> manipulation tend to be in abundance. Arguably, that's one of the things 
>a
> looper is good for.
>
> Now, when people hear such noises, they probably just think "Oh. A
> synthesizer."
>
> Guitar synths make matters worse. If a guitar player is looking to expand
> his or her tonal palette, a guitar synth will probably win out over a
> looper.