The Old fashion way.....

[jiggz]

Just wondering if there are any modular synth heads in here still using tape to track their modulars or any other analogue synths they may have?

I have a couple of Jarre albums that constantly blow me away by the "fullness" of the recording. Every time I listen to them, it seems as if the recordings are alive and the synths themselves sound like they are playing live right in the room.
It seems to me that tape is especially great for synths in that it maintains that magic sparkle and "air" that analogue synths are so renowned for. I've never been blown away by digital recordings of analogue synths, just wondering if anyone feels the same?

Actually, i would really like to hear some synth recordings that were recorded on a porta if anyone has any. I know these things are not exactly hifi but that's all the more interesting to me especially as it's an analogue sort of lofi.
If anyone has any links to any, it would be great to hear them.

Cheers
Jiggz

 

[jpmorris]

Just wondering if there are any modular synth heads in here still using tape to track their modulars or any other analogue synths they may have?

That's almost what I'm doing. Can't afford a modular, though. Everything is sequencer-controlled, using a timecode on track 8 to keep the tracks in step.
As for analogue synthesizers, I'm using a Pulse (3 VCO monosynth), Cheetah MS6 polysynth (similar to the Oberheim Matrix 1000). Does the Waldorf microWave count? The filters are analogue..

If you're thinking in terms of W. Carlos, this is about the closest I've done:

Equipment and stuff is here: http://www.dougtheeagle.com

[EDIT: muggins edited the wrong post]

 

[jiggz]

I suppose this place is mainly guitar based looking at the feedback, or maybe I'm wrong?

Doug (I presume?), how did you get that elec piano sound at the beginning of "a day at the people factory"?

BTW, nice to see a studio with some character. Looks like a lot of fun getting to work in there, although I would have to sort out some new monitors.

 

[jpmorris]

I suppose this place is mainly guitar based looking at the feedback, or maybe I'm wrong?

It seems so.

Doug (I presume?), how did you get that elec piano sound at the beginning of "a day at the people factory"?

BTW, nice to see a studio with some character. Looks like a lot of fun getting to work in there, although I would have to sort out some new monitors.

I always work through headphones. Yes, proper monitoring would be good, but then I'd have to get the room sorted acoustically.

The electric piano is done with Applied Acoustics Lounge Lizard V1. It's the only software synthesizer I use, and the trouble it causes is horrific. Getting the bugger to remain in tune when locked against tape is a nightmare - on one track from the second album I actually recorded the piano with the tape running slightly fast to keep it in tune!

I would be so, so happy if I could get a rack using that algorithm, or any other decent hardware replacement. However, one of its redeeming features is that it can be misused to do guitar power chords, as is done throughout the first album and occasionally on the others. I was hoping to have my brother guest on guitar instead, but we ran out of time.

If you just want the piano sound, a cheaper softsynth is 'Mr. Tramp' or 'Mr. Ray' - which is nagware and can be found here:
http://www.soundfonts.it/?a=cat&b=2

I doubt you'll be able to to the guitar trick, though. And I'd still rather have hardware.

**EDIT**
The reason I'm not sinking any more money into upgrading Lounge Lizard is that it's copy-protected with a challenge-response mechanism. That means that if AAS fold or decide to stop supporting it, you won't ever be able to install it again and you'll be left with a piece of plastic instead of a softsynth.

 

[jiggz]

Getting the bugger to remain in tune when locked against tape is a nightmare - on one track from the second album I actually recorded the piano with the tape running slightly fast to keep it in tune!

Remain in tune? You've really lost me here! If you were talking about a 70's modular synth I could understand, but this is a soft synth.....
Remain in tune....please explain?

BtW thanks for the elec piana info. I am really amazed that a soft synth was responsible for that sound. Actually I'm really amazed!!
If you had said that it was a real electric piano run through some nice analogue pedals and perhaps a tube or 2 thrown in for good measure, or even a sample off an old vinyl recording to get that warmth, then I would have been on track. But no! I couldn't be any further off track....a digitally modelled re-creation!

I've always had a thing for analogue sources and processing, but I hold my hands up to that one. This is really impressive.

 

[Dr ZEE]

....Every time I listen to them, it seems as if the recordings are alive and the synths themselves sound like they are playing ...

Jean actually played keys and his synthesizers were actually synthesizing (not palaying-back, that is). ...and that's about it. so much for a "secret" He also, must have good influences from his Dad, but that is a speculation on my part.
Also J.M.Jarre is not the only guy who used to produce listenable electronic music (electronic music used to be electronic music, - nowdays (with some exceptions) it's neither electronic neither music, but rather is a computer based multimedia production. The fact that a computer runs on electricity does not make things, that are being "made" by using it, be "electronic")
and, well, in addition: Tape is better for almost anything and almost everything for music recording/production.
*******

....I suppose this place is mainly guitar based looking at the feedback, or maybe I'm wrong?

I suppose - You are wrong.
*******

Yes, proper monitoring would be good, but then I'd have to get the room sorted acoustically.

There's no such thing as proper monitoring, unless you are refering to something which was 'established as 'proper' on paper and within the collective mind of individuals who, by the nature of their business, heavily rely on doing things in a "proper way" so to keep staying in business.
So non-existing "proper monitoring" may or may not be good. It depends.
In respect to "sorting the room acoustically" I better keep my mouth shut... so not to get shot.
BTW, very nice sound on that track ...spacy and full. I kind of did not feel that drum-track (by its charater) fit well, but it's just a matter of taste, of course. Geat stuff in your studio! Very cool!
/respects

 

[jpmorris]

Getting the bugger to remain in tune when locked against tape is a nightmare - on one track from the second album I actually recorded the piano with the tape running slightly fast to keep it in tune!

Remain in tune? You've really lost me here! If you were talking about a 70's modular synth I could understand, but this is a soft synth.....
Remain in tune....please explain?

It's probably a problem with Sonar, which is hosting the VST. I really don't understand quite what's happening, or why it only goes wrong when I'm using an external sync source from the tape. The whole thing works beautifully until I do the final multitracking, and then the piano goes flat.
I have considered upgrading to a newer version of Sonar to try and kill the problem, but ideally I'd like to kick Sonar completely and migrate the entire setup to Linux. There just isn't a decent enough sequencer that does everything I need so far

I've always had a thing for analogue sources and processing, but I hold my hands up to that one. This is really impressive.

Yes, I've just bought a spring reverb so that I can now do a completely analogue recording. But the piano synths - That's why I put up with them. The PPG softsynth was great, but it was even more unstable than the Lizard.
It was such a relief when I got the microWave, although I had to port all the patches across. If I could actually play keyboards adequately I might be tempted to try and score a real wurly, but such is a programmer's lot, I guess..

One of my intentions for the third album was to do a completely analogue track making as much use of tape sources, loops and varispeed as possible.

As for the drums on Anitra's Dance, I think that may have been a mistake myself. But it's one I can live with. Besides, I distinctly remember you complaining about the drums on ZooCity as well
Is this better?

 

[jiggz]

I suppose - You are wrong.

Well I suppose that makes 3 of us then!

Doug (I'm still not sure?), tape loops and varispeed? I have visions of the tardis, or is it the Radiophonic workshop....

http://www.fatbaron.com/thealchemistsofsound.wmv

Anyhow, not sure how you pinned me as the one picking fault with your drums. That was the first time I ever visited your site after you posted in this thread, although having said that, I might just take a listen if you still have the track up.

And I like your idea of an all analogue creation using tape but you must be a very patient man!

 

[jpmorris]

Well I suppose that makes 3 of us then!
Doug (I'm still not sure?), tape loops and varispeed? I have visions of the tardis, or is it the Radiophonic workshop....

Thankyou very much for that link, huge though it is. That's just the sort of thing I'm interested in.

Doug is a name I use for my evil game walkthroughs, which attempt to complete various games by foul means, typically using as many bugs as possible. They are found here: http://www.it-he.org - I decided to use that for the band name since it has the most recognition.

Talking of the radiophonic workshop, this is one of my side-projects: http://dmfa.it-he.org/
..all done digitally, though, except where I'm using tape effects (e.g. the power cut in Dark Pegasus). I'm not nearly masochistic enough to try and do that kind of editing entirely in the analogue domain, although I do use the Pulse for the magic sound effects. Wish I could afford a VCS/3.

Anyhow, not sure how you pinned me as the one picking fault with your drums. That was the first time I ever visited your site after you posted in this thread, although having said that, I might just take a listen if you still have the track up.

Yeah, that was aimed at Dr. Zee - I forgot to attribute it. Sorry.

And I like your idea of an all analogue creation using tape but you must be a very patient man!

That's why I haven't plucked up courage to do it yet..

 

[Dr ZEE]

I distinctly remember you complaining about the drums on ZooCity as well

As, I've said - it's a matter of taste. Also, I must add here, that I usually get different impression of music/songs/tracks when listening a piece as single or when listening it within the whole album.... I guess, In general, to my taste (or say , expectations) most of the time it sounds kind of unnatural and unpleasant when acoustic-drum-kit-like sample-based drum sequence is being mixed with primarily synthesizer music. To me it's not "fusion" in a good sense, but rather something like Dr. MOREAU's bad experiment, sort of speak. Don't take what I say as criticism, I'm just sharing with you my preferences/taste...that's all.

oh, btw, keeping a real (true, pre-midi-no-nonsense, something like this thing ) analog synthesizer in tune may be a major pain the neck ... ,but making music is not building a porch, so hammering the nail slightly off the mark is not always a bad thing, imho

..., so: "What's wrong, Val? What's a matter? What are the concerns?"

 

[jiggz]

Wish I could afford a VCS/3.

One of these and a portastudio is all you need!

How much are they fetching nowadays?

 

[Dr ZEE]

One of these and a portastudio is all you need!

How much are they fetching nowadays?

here's a very fancy site
these guys must really hate computers or something

 

[Dr ZEE]

huh! this is all you need? ?

 

[jiggz]

They're probably still running windows 95'

1998....I mean, come on!!

Kick ass synths however.

 

[Dr ZEE]

1998....I mean, come on!!
.

heh heh

Last updated: 8th August 1998

-that note is just a text... who ever manages the site or makes updates has to actually type something in... so it may be just a neglected "area", which has gotten into the blind spot of the creator's vision.
Sombody, give them a buzzzzzzz - check if there's anybody home?
they may pick up their communication device:

 

[jiggz]

I may have to......

give them a call..........

 

[Dr ZEE]

lol

 

[jpmorris]

here's a very fancy site
these guys must really hate computers or something

Well, assuming that they're still around, that price is more than it cost to equip the entire studio, although it probably caught up when I bought the XM-1 and Rotosphere. They almost never turn up on e-bay, and then there's that part of me which is urging me to get some kind of moog instead..

 

[Dr ZEE]

having couple of analog vinta-synth of any "kind" is a treat (or maybe even must!) if you are serious about e-music.
..btw,

Wolf hat (on top of speaker, not in shot)

LOL ... hah hah hah