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From: eric@mcrware.UUCP (Eric Miller)
Newsgroups: net.music.synth
Subject: Re: Re: Playing "real" (acoustic) vs. electronic instruments
Message-ID: <112@mcrware.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 20-May-85 12:01:47 EDT
Article-I.D.: mcrware.112
Posted: Mon May 20 12:01:47 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 22-May-85 01:13:58 EDT
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Organization: Microware Systems Corp., Des Moines, IA
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> Maybe so, but in that case we should be thinking of the synthesizer as an
> instrument on its own merit and not as a device to emulate other instruments
  

	 This, I think is the root of the whole question. There are definately
	 real differences between playing acoustic and electronic instruments
	 that go beyond just the sound they make or the weight of the action
	 on the keyboard. It has to do with the entire sensory feedback of 
	 the acoustic chamber that is resonating the music. Even digitally
	 sampling a piano sound and reproducing it through an amplifier
	 is different than hearing the sound as you play the original instru-
	 ment.
	   Now don't get me wrong, here. I'm not advocating the use of only
	   acoustical instruments. I myself am a synthesist through and 
	   through. I just believe that they should be dealt with in their
	   own light, and with their own set of definitions. I am fascinated
	   with the new sampling technology not because I want to carry
	   a grand piano around with me that only weighs 35 pounds, but
	   because it can give you access to many natural sounds that are
	   too complex to be generated from 'scratch' so to speak. I
	   have never heard a thunder clap from any analog or digital synth
	   that really impressed me yet. Even though it wouldn't be heard in
	   it's natural acoustic setting, a sample of one would probably be 
	   better than a generated one.
		  On another related 'note', I am very interested in the Ensoniq
	   Mirage. Although I have heard some good things about the Mirage,
	   I haven't had the chance to play one yet. If anyone has any more
	   information about that synth, especially concerning drawbacks
	   in relation to it, I would appreciate hearing about it.


							  " We have come from the planet Zarcon..."
										Eric Miller