[sdiy] Re: linear FM

[Magnus Danielson]

From: "Barry Klein" <Barry.L.Klein at wdc.com>
Subject: RE: [sdiy] Re: linear FM
Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2003 12:04:05 -0800

Dear Barry,

> It's kinda funny that you rarely see discussed how people program their
> modulars - what mods or new modules they'd like to see, and how some unique
> module features are used.  Peter's short discussion on sequencers was
> enlightening for many of us I bet.  I'd like to see more of this kind of
> thing.  
> 
> Back in the EN days Bernie had the "EN Tape" thing going where we would
> either buy or pass on to others one at a time a 1/4" reel to reel tape of
> new design sounds etc.  Now with the Internet, MP3 files make this an
> instant sharing and education process.  Just want to encourage those of you
> to keep up sharing these sound samples on your sites!

I agree with you on this. I actually think there's a educational gap on synths
around. In one corner you can learn all kinds of basic stuff on what this and
that module do, in the technical sense, and there is rarely any samples except
from a few manufactures demo's (don't bother to plug the links in here, I'm not
going there anyway). Then in the other end you find cute freak-show demos where
people tries to show just how good they are at the craftmanship, but does not
tell what actually happends. Right there inbetween there is basically nothing,
nada, big void, all the black mass of the universe will not fill it up (OK, I'm
overdoing it for the effect).

There's no really great place actually to learn how to achieve this or that
sound or effect, how to make the modules interact to get this or that sound and
what to think of. I've must admitt - I am terrible in patching up sounds, I
have just never "GOT IT" in a sense of hearing a sound in my head and transform
that into a patch. I can get some stuff going, and I love the work on some
experimental patching, but I fail on converting that to a broader set of
sounds. This greatly discourage me from going futher on other aspects of
musicmaking since I fail to get the sounds I need for a certain set of
feelings. Nowdays I don't have the time I used to for sitting and doing lame
attempts in a trial and error fashion. I've got too much stress in my life to
do that. Probably this is the reason I concentrate on the functional aspects of
these thingies, since there I had the naive thought that I could grasp some of
it at least... still doesn't know if I succseeded in fooling anyone on that
one.

> Many of us AREN'T musicians so we don't know what the musicians really want
> in the designs.  But remember, Leo Fender did pretty well without being a
> musician - he listened to input from them.

Don't forget Bob Moog who openly admitts not being much of a musician but
rather a music instrument builder. His ability to listen to users/customers
need and act on it is what is part of his secret, besides for being a generally
nice fellow indeed.

Cheers,
Magnus