| I sometimes don't like to admit it, but I am nostalgic. | | | | sampled the sound. Now you have loads of sounds |
| I like 80s music, old type computer games (Street | | | | altered slightly. These are pretty cool. The only |
| Fighter, Defender..come on!) and classic techno | | | | problem is that you get the samplers idea of a good |
| making machines. | | | | sample. Also you don't get all the dials being twisted |
| Why? | | | | together- too restricted. However as a free source |
| I think they forged through and made todays music | | | | of nostalgic sounds they can't be beat. |
| what it is. Machines like the TB303, TR909, JD800 | | | | So we have identified one sound source (for free), |
| and the famous Moog- what an effect they have | | | | however we have also noticed some problems- a |
| made on dance and techno music! The rise in | | | | lack of freedom, and because we are a creative |
| popularity of techno, i.e, with the makers and in the | | | | bunch, we have to find another way. |
| audience, was down to the cool sounds and the | | | | 2) VSTs. Wow, what a revolution to the music world. |
| general compatability (sound wise) between the | | | | A fantastic resource that should help musicians who |
| machines were the key. | | | | are looking to make music with little, or no cash. |
| In some cases limited numbers were made and the | | | | VSTs are either effects (like distortion) or they are |
| increase in popularity only meant two things. 1) An | | | | some sort of music sounding device (like synths |
| increase in the same old songs, rehashed versions | | | | (called softsynths), drum machines etc). Some are |
| that sounded similar in everyway, and 2) The price | | | | stand alone programs, or some need a host program. |
| went into overdrive. Machines like the TB303 were | | | | The most well known softsynth has got to be |
| selling for silly money. This trend is still being seen | | | | Rebirth, the TB303 and TR909 emulator. It is really |
| today. You can buy one of these machines for | | | | cool, emulating the machines really well, however, the |
| between $600-$1000. | | | | best thing about this softsynth is that it is free. Now |
| And why? | | | | there are plenty of VSTs out there that are free, |
| The old favourite answers are "because you can see | | | | offering great synth sounds or great effects. |
| the lights moving", "Its just great twisting those | | | | The possibility of sound creation using VSTs has now |
| dials"- and so on. This is where to me nostalgia stops, | | | | become infinite. The actual sound of the sounds has |
| especially when you want to make techno. Sure they | | | | become endless, so now there should be unique |
| were great sounding machines, sure if you didn't | | | | sounding musics out there. Are there any |
| have their sounds in your music you were classed as | | | | disadvantages? Well not really. Some sound the |
| old fashoined...but for $1000! | | | | same, and some of the pay for ones are expensive, |
| This isn't ravings from a person who never had one | | | | they are cool, but too expensive. |
| at all. I have a Roland MC202. I love the little box of | | | | So what you can do, is add VSTs together, add an |
| tricks. The little rubber keyboard is novel and the | | | | effect plug-in over a synth VST. The cool thing is. |
| sliders are cool. However, once all the fiddling is out | | | | Nostalgic sounds can be processed through these |
| of the way. Once you have gone oooOOhhh...there | | | | plug-ins to bring them more up-to-date, and to add a |
| isn't really anything left. Thats the problem for me. | | | | flavour of your desire. |
| Once the coolness has worn off, you have to go | | | | So, going back to our original question do we need a |
| through extra work to hook it up into your set-up. | | | | $1000 techno machine. Well as every diplomat states, |
| Do you sample the loops off the machine? Do you | | | | yes and no. If I had a TR909 I would keep it, sample |
| buy a synch box? Do you MIDIfy it (costing extra | | | | it, and then add VST effects to give the sounds |
| cash)? I don't mean to be all doom and gloom, and if | | | | more spice, because they are good, no doubt, but |
| you do have one, keep it- they are cool to work | | | | music moves on and you have to follow. If I didn't |
| with. But if you don't...well, look at the other options. | | | | have a TR909 I wouldn't be upset, I would search |
| There are two great alternatives out there in | | | | out the samples from the various sample sites, add |
| Internet land that can help us out. | | | | again the VST effects and get the sound that I |
| 1) Sample sites. Nowadays they house great sample | | | | want...for free. |
| loops, and single hit sounds from the various | | | | If you have a low budget (or no budget), there are |
| machines. Housed in sample packs, you will notice | | | | now no obsicles to stop you recreating those sounds |
| that the sounds sound similar to each other because | | | | that make your music sound like it was made with a |
| the sampler has twisted the dial a little and then | | | | $1000+ set-up. |