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