I blame the TB-303 and the Linn Drum for the downfall :)
Most people think it was all the DX-7's fault (followed then by the D-50,
the M-1 and the WaveStation) . But I think drum machines, samplers, and
easy-to-use MIDI sequencing programs like Cakewalk turned 1000s of idle
fanboys into "Hey, I'm a ∗musician!". There is no parallel in say any
symphonic instrument (every try to play a French horn?), piano, acoustic
guitar (electric guitar...shredding. ..meh) or even acoustic drums. But $2000
worth of MIDI'd synths, a Mac, some plugins, and....."Hey, I'm a
∗musician∗!" .
Now, it's not that these people can't generate anything useful, some can.
But, if these ∗same people∗ were given a MiniMoog, a SEM module and a
Mellotron, I doubt "Synergy" would be the end result.
But I think the biggest factor is the relative cost. Back in the day, only
talented musicians that had big $$$ could even afford this stuff. And if you
couldn't sell enough records to justify the equipment cost, no soup for you!
I remember Rick Wakeman grousing in 'Keyboard' that all his gear cost 20
TIMES what (guitarist) Steve Howe paid for his.
Now, it's the exact opposite in a lot of cases. If you want a really good
guitar and a really good amp plus say 5 boutique pedals, you are up in the
$6K range. For 1/2 that, you could get a whole boatload of MIDI
modules/computer/ I/O/etc.
Last thing: my family's business when I was growing up was art supplies:
paint, brushes, canvas, frames, etc. All of the really good artists were
very ∗precise∗ about the supplies. Every single one had only a certain brush
style, a specific brand and color of blue paint, etc. THEY certainly cared
about the HOW. The people that bought them? Only the WHAT. I used to be able
to go into any museum/gallery and tell how the paint was mixed, layered on,
the brush strokes, etc. But no one cared, in fact they thought I was a bit
"strange" for even caring. "Why can't you just enjoyed the friggin'
painting?" my wife would say, rolling her eyes as I touted the virtue of
Grumbacher burnt sienna applied by a #4 red sable brush, fantail pattern,
OBVIOUSLY by a left-handed female artist. Can't you see, it's RIGHT THERE!
Unless you are a kid like me whose favorite TV program growing up was Mr.
Roger's tour of the pencil factory, the "all modular" appreciation will be
down in the 'long tail'. But if Kenneth makes the CD I know he can, I'll buy
it. And appreciate every patch and note.
For those not familiar with his MOTM stuff, try these (just keep your
opinions to yourself):
http://synthtech. com/demo/ motm_recorder. mp3
http://synthtech. com/demo/ motm_synergy. mp3
http://synthtech. com/demo/ motmbrass. mp3
http://synthtech. com/demo/ lost_at_sea. mp3
And my favorite "imitative" patch is from Russell Brower's game soundtrack
for 'Black Hawk Down':
http://synthtech. com/demo/ d_reed.mp3
Paul S.
taking a MOTM-830 kitting break