| Author
|
Synth - Technical Definition
|
eMpTy
Started Topics :
7
Posts :
68
Posted : Mar 22, 2004 01:51
|
Main Entry: syn·the·sis
Pronunciation: 'sin(t)-th&-s&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural syn·the·ses /-"sEz/
Etymology: Greek, from syntithenai to put together, from syn- + tithenai to put, place -- more at DO
1 a : the composition or combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole b : the production of a substance by the union of chemical elements, groups, or simpler compounds or by the degradation of a complex compound c : the combining of often diverse conceptions into a coherent whole; also : the complex so formed
2 a : deductive reasoning b : the dialectic combination of thesis and antithesis into a higher stage of truth
3 : the frequent and systematic use of inflected forms as a characteristic device of a language
- syn·the·sist /-sist/ noun |
|
|
Woggle
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
88
Posted : Mar 22, 2004 02:28
|
I just got this too on synthesizer:
syn·the·siz·er ( P ) Pronunciation Key (snth-szr)
n.
One that synthesizes: a synthesizer of others' ideas.
Music. An electronic instrument, often played with a keyboard, that combines simple waveforms to produce more complex sounds, such as those of various other instruments.
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
a problem though, synthesizer sounds are actually simpler than most sounds out of other musical instruments, less frequencies!:o |
|
|
|
eMpTy
Started Topics :
7
Posts :
68
Posted : Mar 22, 2004 03:21
|
|
was the melotron considered a synth? that just played back pieces of tape. |
|
|
|
Colin OOOD
Moderator
Started Topics :
95
Posts :
5380
Posted : Mar 22, 2004 05:16
|
|
Woggle
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
88
Posted : Mar 22, 2004 07:09
|
a sample playback machine is still a synthesizer, and i dob elieve you can open the mellotron and edit how it is played
by this definition of non editing then a tr606 would not be a drum synthesizer then? |
|
|
|
zooter
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
44
Posts :
771
Posted : Mar 22, 2004 08:04
|
1) An electronic device for making sounds, in which the shape and method of construction have little effect on the nature of the sound produced. This wide definition includes: Electronic organs, samplers, drum machines even radio sets etc. as well as those devices which are more immediately recognised as synthesisers. Some devices, such as the Thérémin do owe their sound, in part, to their construction, and may be considered somewhat "grey" in respect of this definition. (2) A specific case of (1) above, equipped with oscillators, filters, amplifiers as well as modulation sources. Either with a predetermined or more or less programmable audio and control signal path, which can be used as a musical instrument or for sound effects. The oscillators may include the ability to replay digital recordings of sounds, and the whole or part of the system may be implemented using digital or analogue technologies.
Source : Google (I trust these guys!)
|
|
|
|
Woggle
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
88
Posted : Mar 22, 2004 08:25
|
|
but then a tb303 wouldn't be a synthesizer since it's got no mod sourceS!:o |
|
|
|
PsYx
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
12
Posts :
339
Posted : Mar 22, 2004 11:08
|
well Fluo, I'd like 2 know what parts of this thread u really used...lol  'cause it's gotten a bit out off control... lol
|
|
|
|
ZilDoggo
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
663
Posted : Mar 22, 2004 18:01
|
"and i dob elieve you can open the mellotron and edit how it is played "
that's why i thought up the mechanical bit.,
i agree with you that electricity is also mechanical in a certain way, but it's a different mechanics from the macro-mechanics like playing a tape or vibrating a string.,
|
|
|
|
ZilDoggo
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
663
Posted : Mar 22, 2004 18:13
|
"but then a tb303 wouldn't be a synthesizer since it's got no mod sourceS!:o"
yes it does!., 
all knobs modulate the signal in some way.,
modulation is modulation, wether it's done by a lfo or not.,
but more to the point, wasn't the term Musical Synthesizer used to describe a musical instrument with oscilators and envelopes and stuff?.,
why should we make it so broad to include geiger counters, radio's and electric guitars?..,
and what is the difference between a sound synthesizer and a sound generator?.,
|
|
|
|
FluoSamsara (Oxygen)
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
84
Posts :
1164
Posted : Mar 22, 2004 18:31
|
Quote:
|
On 2004-03-22 11:08, PsYx wrote:
well Fluo, I'd like 2 know what parts of this thread u really used...lol 'cause it's gotten a bit out off control... lol
|
|
Yeah, I wasn't expecting this thread to go into such philosophical debates 
But its nice that it went the way it did, I'm still structuring the work, but I just grabbed some bits and pieces from diferent posts
Nice one, thanks for all the feedback guys |
|
|
|
Woggle
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
88
Posted : Mar 22, 2004 21:21
|
the thing about on electronic is that synthesizer can be anything, the definition of synthesizer when you get down to it is infinite! I think the best way to say it is "musical electronic synthesizer' hmmm:)
but one thing the tr606 cannot be edited, so it is not a synthesizer? i believe it is a drum synthesizer... |
|
|
|
Woggle
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
88
Posted : Mar 22, 2004 21:21
|
|
oh and the mellotron i do believe is electronic in it's parts, how does it get from tape to output?!?:) |
|
|
|
ZilDoggo
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
663
Posted : Mar 23, 2004 00:08
|
woggle,
"oh and the mellotron i do believe is electronic in it's parts, how does it get from tape to output?!?:)"
an electric guitar also uses electronics (a coil) to get sound., but i still find it difficult to call it a synthesizer..
this is very dificult.,
but i think that broadening the definition is an easy way out.,
i strongly feel that (partially) mechanical instruments (like a electric guitar, melorton or telharmonium) should not be called synthesizers.,
i think for something this broad we should use a term like electroacoustical sound generators or something.,
synthesizers would be a particular form of electroacoustical sound generators.,
this may all be something personal but consider this.,
when you say "i'm synthesizing a sound" to me this has to do with design..,., deliberately putting together a sound.,
in the example you gave of xenaxis, he was not realy synthesizing, he generated, not deliberately making sounds., he used synthesizers as generators., but that does not take away the fact that you CAN synthesize sounds on a synthesizer.,.,
the tr-606 would be a drum generator according to this point of view.,.,
hmm., just thinking about it, maybe we should call everything a synthesizer and add acousltical, mechanical, mechanoelectric , electronic or digital in front of it?.,
greets,
aka.,
|
|
|
|
|
