There are well-known synthesizer parts that are relatively easy to re-create and play. Some of these, like “Jump” (Van Halen), “Axel F” (Harold Faltermeyer), “Separate Ways” (Journey), and “The Final Countdown” (Europe) will trigger instant groans and eye-rolls from synth fiends like me (especially if they worked around keyboards in a music store in the [...]
In what could perhaps be the longest gap ever between multi-part blog updates, I’m finally going to continue my recap of the last decade and just how amazing the changes that took place over that timeframe were. While the first part focused on the convergence of hardware and software companies and the drastic consolidation that took [...]
I’ve watched the growing micro-key keyboard trend with some disdain. “But they’re not full-size keys,” I say. They’re compact, even playable, but … I just realized I’m a hypocrite. Let’s back up a bit first. So where did the micro-key trend start? The lineage of the current line-up of micro-key keyboards is most easily followed [...]
I came across this post over at one of my favorite blogs, Synthtopia - the question posed is whether Apple’s iPad has made digital synth keyboards obsolete. The discussion there is really great and worth the read – but it made me think even more about an idea that I’ve been thinking about recently: is [...]
If you’re like me, any time you spot a synthesizer or keyboard in a movie or TV program, you’re immediately identifying what model it is (and hoping to get at least half the generous camera shots that singers and guitarists get, right?). I was pleased to see a synth appearance in a trailer for the [...]
Random thought of the day: what’s up with what the world has ended up calling those wonderful electronic instruments that originate from a program in a computer? Yes, we all know them as software synths or virtual instruments (a.k.a. VIs if your character count is limited or you’re just that cool), but these names, however [...]