The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

kees balde shared with us:
> Yes, pianos are still in use, but there are many instruments (see medieval
> instruments) that are very old fashioned and nobody (except freaks at
> universities) plays on them anymore. So the synthesizer may be replaced by
> something better.......maybe

There were predecessors to the piano, that aren't in use anymore.
The piano is a highly evolved instrument, and it is better than
what came before it.

The same goes for more primitive medieval instruments. You can
still get them, but they have been overtaken by the guitar. And
since "everyone" uses a guitar, every publication is about guitar,
and thus everyone uses a guitar...

But synthesisers as a whole are a group of constantly evolving
instruments, which sets them apart from more traditional, accoustic
ones. There isn't much development of actual new accoustic instruments:
the saxophone was one of the last ones to make an impact.

So synthesisers won't be replaced, though they will evolve. Whether
they will ever stop evolving - will there be a time when all
synthesis methods have been invented and perfected? - is an
interesting question.

Developments seem to point towards seperation of instrument and
interface (soft synths and PLG boards), and modelling is still
going on.

- Peter