From: grahame@skyfox
Newsgroups: rec.music.makers.synth
Subject: RE: The newest Emu Synth. NOT ANALOG !!!!?!?!!!!
Date: 21 JAN 93 16:02:20 GMT
Organization: University of Saskatchewan
NNTP-Posting-Host: sask.usask.ca


From: sef@sef-pmax.slisp.cs.cmu.edu
Date: 20-JAN-1993 10:53:25
Description: Re: The Newest Emu synth... McAnalog!??!!

>Early digital synths did a lousy job of faking analog, but given enough
>processing power and enough care in designing digital filter algorithms,
>there's no reason this must be true.  To my ears, the K2000 gets mighty
>close to analog sound (after turning off the rather poor digital effects
>chip).  You could even program the thing to go horribly out of tune in the
>middle of your set if that's what you're into.

>Of course, some people will reject outright the idea that you can get
>analog sound from anything other than a pile of wires and discrete
>electronics -- preferably tubes.  You can try to prove these guys wrong
>with blind listening tests, but it's probably a waste of time -- they still
>won't believe you.

>Anyway, perhaps it would be good to wait until we hear the new Emu before
>deciding that it will sound like an original DX7 or M1 and nothing else.

>>            I fear that "vintage keys" will sell well & give today's young 'uns
>>    a horribly diluted taste of what analog is all about...

>We had this argument about a year ago on the late, lamented r.m.s
>newsgroup.  For my money, a computer screen (nobody who owns 1U sound
>modules should be without one) is a much better sound-editing interface
>than a wall full of knobs and patch cords.  And for real-time control, when
>you want that handy tactile interface, use a bank of MIDI sliders and knobs
>and a joystick or two.  But some people don't buy this distinction and want
>to do all their sound-editing via hard-wired, dedicated knobs.  For those
>guys, I hope the world's supply of used Oberheims and Chromas lives on
>forever.

>-- Scott

Scott,
	I shudder at your "view" of analog vs. digital synthesis. Your talk
about emulating analog synthesis was just that, talk. At this point, there
is no way to emulate the "sound" of a P5 or mini with digital circuitry. 
The Emu box definately can't live up to it's PR. 
	My Chroma sounds like nothing else -- the nature of the way it
was designed makes its sound unique. There are certain sounds which are
easier to obtain on it than others, which makes a big difference in 
programming it. And, any way you look at it, knobs are the best way of
programming my analog beasts. Imagine... I can edit sounds on several of
my machines in real time, without even having to turn my computer on.
	Banks of MIDI sliders are useful, but they can't possible exhibit
the infinite and slightly unpredictable resolution of analog pots. BTW, 
I'm 25 years old, not an "old fart", and I make use of computers whenever
I can in my music -- I've got an Emax-II with 8MB RAM, and I'm not afraid
to get into some heavy sample editing sessions. Just don't try to tell me
that the current state of computer technology is good enough to replace
the immediate feedback of my rack of analog. 

James

PS- I hope people fall for your arguments, it should cause the price of
    old Chromas and Oberheims to drop even more... that way I can continue
    to stock up. :-)
Newsgroups: rec.music.makers.synth