Synthesizers & Such

[PonyOne]

I think I posed this question awhile back, but are there any other people here who use synths, grooveboxes, drum machines, or any other digital-realm music generators?

I use a Yamaha RM1X, Korg EA1 Electribe and a suite of software. It's nice because there are some sounds that fit my songs perfectly that you just plain can't do on guitar, or bass, or drums, and so turning to my magic blue boxes, i can either use one of a thousand or so predone sounds or sconstruct my own to suit it. It's also a lot more convenient than a drummer (doesn't show up late, doesn't argue w/me, weighs less, fits in the back of my Saab).

Do you use synths, do you like the way that they sound when used in rock, or do you think that it's a marriage that should not take place?

[Raskolnikov]

I like synths sometimes for composition/demo purposes. Not that I can play keys, but I'd own one and learn it if I had enough money for those reasons. I sometimes like keys in a band, but more often than not, they annoy me. See Faith no More; they keys almost ruin the band for me, though I've grown accustomed to them.

[Sivert Skaaren]

I have a synthplayer in my band.. and i love it..
Synth rox, if it's used right..
u can't get a B3-sound on a guitar(well u could with a midi setup.. but not good anyway..)
or some strings or church organ in the back..
and a fat analogsynth-sound for a synthsolo,
duelling with the guitar.. THAT'S COOL...

Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Stratovarius, Rhapsody.. even Malmsteen... = )

Sivert Skaaren
(on gw aka Acron)

[lalimacefolle]

I have midified my steinberger, and man, people think I'm an alien when I get choir sounds out of this tiny guitar!!
But sounds aren't songs, remember that! Techno guys kind of lost that along the way...

[Azrael]

The best Guitar-synth/effectsboard i´ve seen so far is the
ROLAND Virtual Guitar 88 (VG-88)

You need a special pickup (which is not included) and a 13-pin connector. No matter how ****ty the guitar sounds - if u wanna sound like hendrix in woodstock *klick* and u have EXACTL that sound - even with the marshall amp-humm.
Wanna play banjo? no prob! Bass? sure - 12 string? ok!
Nylonstring? yepp - satriani? *nods* etc...

You can also mix both Synth and original sound - this Board is EXTREME!

But it is no MIDI effect-thingy - itz a Virtual Synth..

Here a review:

http://www.sospubs.co.uk/sos/dec00/articles/rolandvg88.asp

Definitely the BEST thing for studio work!!

-=[Azrael]=-

[PonyOne]

Those V-guitar setups really can get pretty nuts. Personally, I prefer to just do everything on my own w/the real effects, but you're right, for studio work or, if you just want to be able to tap a button with your foot and your hollowbody jazzbox starts getting Medusa-like distortion, that's your machine.

What ticks me off about a lot of people who use synths extensively is just what you said; stringing together a bunch of weird, spacey sounds does not necessarily make a good trance song.

I got to guest perform at a really huge rave once, and it was pretty cool; I plugged in my crap and the DJ who invited me spun turntables while I did guitar stuff, and it actually got a pretty good response, although, it coming from a crowd of kids with glowsticks in every orifice of their body, I wasn't sure how proud I should be...

[Raskolnikov]

Originally posted by PonyOne
I got to guest perform at a really huge rave once, and it was pretty cool; I plugged in my crap and the DJ who invited me spun turntables while I did guitar stuff, and it actually got a pretty good response, although, it coming from a crowd of kids with glowsticks in every orifice of their body, I wasn't sure how proud I should be...

To be honest, I'd rather hear "DUDE! I think I broke some ribs durring your set! You $*#$&@% RAAWK!"