[sdiy] Language bending, was:Alternating dead current voltage??

[Magnus Danielson]

From: Ingo Debus <debus at cityweb.de>
Subject: Re: [sdiy] Language bending, was:Alternating dead current voltage??
Date: Sun, 26 Dec 2004 18:29:58 +0100
Message-ID: <C3BF01CE-5763-11D9-A37E-000A9571C136 at cityweb.de>

> 
> Am Samstag, 25.12.04 um 21:13 Uhr schrieb Magnus Danielson:
> 
> > Rather, the fundamental synthesis method common to these are the 
> > acoustical
> > soundwave in various mediums and various methods by which these 
> > soundwaves is
> > generated.
> 
> I see your point. But is there really such a big difference between a 
> digital computer solving a differential equation in real time that 
> produces sound (say, in a physical modelling synth) and the analog 
> "computer" called string or air column solving this differential 
> equation? I'm not talking about digital vs analog here, physcal 
> modelling can be done with analog synthesizers too.
> 
> If you ask me, the difference between a piano and a drum is much bigger.

I did say fundamental synthesis method. If you do a simulation/emulation of
whatever other method, then the simulation/emulation is the fundamental
synthesis method.

The difference between a piano and a drum is huge, a piano is a multitude of
string resonators being banged at in one end where as the drum is a vibrating
circular membrane with a resonance cavity attached to it. The strings of a
piano is of metal where as drumskins are syntetic material these days.

> > The trouble you seem to have against "acoustical" in "acoustical 
> > instruments"
> > has nothing with the actual mode of operation in those instruments, 
> > but rather
> > with their implied value, which is a cultural aspect.
> >
> Exactly.
> Why do we need a term that excludes one family of instruments at all?
> Why isn't there a word for non-string instruments?

There is no need for a common word to denote non-string instruments, we already
have good words for it. The only time you need to use a non/anti/un prefix is
when either you explcitly wish to identify something which isn't in the
prefixed class or more commonly when there is no good common word for it.
Some people over-work the fear for using the negative prefix. If there is a
good replacement word, then use it, but otherwise it is nothing really wrong
with it. Again cultural aspects and not really relating objective aspects.

Cheers,
Magnus